A hero is a person of distinguished courage who has outstanding qualities and abilities, who is admired for these having these aspects of their character and also admired for brave and noble acts. An Anglo-Saxon hero is a person who has good leadership qualities, is able and willing to provide people with a sense of security, and is willing to go into danger despite possible harm to themselves. These Anglo-Saxon heroes usually were kings or thanes because they distinguished themselves above others by doing a good for the greater of everyone. This person has to be willing to put their own lives on the line for the benefit of others.
There are several heroic characteristics, all of which Beowulf possesses. First of these characteristics is honor. Honor is showing a sense of integrity in one’s actions. When Beowulf went to the land of the Danes to kill Grendel, he did it not because he wanted money, but because he wanted to help out the Geats. Beowulf felt as if it was the right thing to do since he had been successful in past deeds which he proudly says in lines 321-322, where he says “They had in remembrance my courage and might. Many had seen me come safe from the conflict,”. Beowulf expected no reward for his action, but rather just being able to “put another notch in his belt.”
Another heroic characteristic, which Beowulf possesses, is bravery. Bravery is being able to go against the odds and possibly risk your life in the process. An example of Beowulf showing bravery is when he goes to slay the dragon even though all his men abandon him. He realizes that the dragon is more powerful than he is, but he will still not back down. In line 1493, he says “Not one foot’s space will I flee from the monster,” thus showing his true bravery by not giving up to the more powerful foe.
One more heroic characteristic of Beowulf is his strong sense of duty. This means that he is always devoted to his people, his king, and their security. An example of this is again when he goes to slay the dragon. He has no help, he realizes that the dragon is more powerful, and most importantly, he realizes that he will probably not be returning victorious from this battle.
Epic of Beowulf Essay – Pagan Tradition in Beowulf
Pagan Tradition in Beowulf
Beowulf is steeped in a pagan tradition that depicts nature as hostile and forces of death as uncontrollable. Blind fate picks random victims; man is never reconciled with the world. Beowulf ends a failure. There is some truth in this conclusion, but for the most part, someone who didn’t have a well-lived life has most likely portrayed it.
Beowulf is steeped in a pagan tradition, but not one that depicts nature as hostile. The setting in the beginning is portrayed as, “…these beautiful plains marked off by oceans, then proudly setting the sun and moon to glow across the land and light it…”(8). This doesn’t sound like anything hostile to me; on the contrary, what is being described creates an image of delectation. “The corners of the earth were made lovely with trees…”(11) is said. When reading these words, the last thing on my mind would be hostile. Forces of death and blind fate picking random victims may have some truth to them, but fate is something that’s very disputed. “…Snatched up thirty men, smashed them unknowing in their beds…”(37) This may seem like fate had decided who was going to die, but it probably wasn’t so. Grendel, “…slipped through the door…”(36) and snatched himself whomever he could get his hands onto. He most likely came in and killed the first thirty that were sleeping closest to him. He undoubtedly didn’t creep over all those men in risk of waking them up and start slaughtering on that side. What if, while he was massacring the group, they would have woken up? The he would have been trapped in the mead hall and would have surely found his death. I imagine Grendel being smarter that that. It wasn’t fate that decided who would die that night, but simply those who had slept near the door. Making smart decisions and thinking things over can control your fate, if such a thing exists.
Beowulf did not end in failure. How could a man who was known as a hero and King be considered a failure? He can’t. He, after defeating Grendel’s mother, became King of the Geats and was admired by his people. He was showered in gifts as was said. “…Laden with gifts given him by Hrothgar…”(pg. 34, prologue) He lived in peace for fifty years before having to face the dragon; fifty years of peace and prosperity to rejoice over.