Beowulf As A Christian Hero Essay

When reading the Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, one can see that Dante the poet’s writing reflected heroism, and more specifically, the attributes of Christian Heroism. By depicting Christian Heroism, Dante was able to use his work as a poet to capture the attention of many clergymen and ensure that his work would be read through time as a divine comedy, rather than just a great work.. The story of Dante as a Pilgrim, is not a tale of foolish antics and laughter, but instead it is one of solemn repentance that is brought about by introspection and remorse. Though written much in advance of Inferno, Beowulf spins a story with the same focuses of heroism, but depicts a hero as one who is of an honored heritage rather than rises from ashes. It can be concluded, then, that the Pilgrim Dante is a better example of a Christian hero than Beowulf because he travels n a journey of self- improvement that is brought on by humility. He empties himself of all honor and learn the ways of righteousness from the grounds of brokenness; Beowulf, on the other hand, fight to live out a legacy and travels in unrepentant pride and conceit. Before comparing and contrasting the Pilgrim Dante and Beowulf, one must consider what qualifies one to be a Christian hero. Secularly, one is …show more content…
As the Pilgrim Dante looks up to where it is he wants to be, or better described as where he knows he must return to, he is sricken with grief and mourning of his loss of the Lord’s presence. The Pilgrim Dante is motivated by piety and repentant humility to reach salvation, saying “I look’d aloft, and saw his shoulders broad, Already vested with that planet’s beam, Who leads all wanderers safe through every way” (Canto I, Lines 15-16). The Poet Dante uses these words to reflect on the goodness of the Lord’s presence and to secure the need for the Pilgrim Dante to succeed in his journey to