“Hard times don’t create heroes. It’s during hard times when the hero within us reveal themselves.” That quote couldn’t be truer for the character Beowulf. Being a hero doesn’t mean one who tries his best to better humanity but wants nothing in return even recognition. No dictionary definition includes that. If that were true then we would be spitting in the eyes of our heroes instead of thanking them. Being a hero’s means being willing to risk ones life for other. It means that fixation on the betterment of mankind and the good of others. Beowulf has show that this is his cause time and time again with each of these actions. Beowulf is a hero. He has several heroic actions under his belt, he has shown to have a code honor, and has shown to
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Beowulf’s honor and pride is what drives him to be a hero. A part of his honor is being loyal to the ones he respects. Beowulf’s loyalty to Hrothgar and his men are tested by the might of Grendel. The fearsome creature was “hoping to kill/Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot”(line 235-236). Grendel had already been well established as both a hateful and malicious monster and an undefeatable monster. Grendel had not been so much as scratched by any of the Danish soldiers. Despite that Beowulf did not run. Not even when “Grendel snatched at the first Geat/He came to, ripped him apart, cut/His body to bits with powerful jaws,/Drank the blood from his veins and bolted” did Beowulf even consider to dishonor himself by running away or fleeing(line 262-265). The same could be said for when Beowulf is fighting the dragon. Not even when “The ancient blade broke” and “failed him before it when deep enough” stopped Beowulf(lines 672-674). Even as “The Dragon leaped/With pain, thrashed and beat at him, spouting/Murderous flames, spreading them everywhere” or as even as “ he suffered, wrapped around in swirling/Flames” did he give in. (line 676-691). Despite having a clear disadvantage he will not run. In contrast, he will make sure he does not have any sort of huge advantage over his enemies if possible. Beowulf actually wanted to fight the dragon bare handed and even said “use no sword, no weapon, if this …show more content…
The Judeo-Christian god present in the epic Beowulf has been shown to help the main character in mysterious and odd ways.. While Beowulf is fighting Grendel’s Mother the author states “ Holy/God, who sent victory, gave judgment/For truth and right, Ruler of the heavens,/Once Beowulf was back on his feet and fighting” (lines 509-512). God is helping him get back on his feet. Standing up without God would have been impossible. Otherwise God would not have helped him up. He also could not have received victory if God had not sent it first. God has not shown to help villains in Beowulf. God even repels evil since When Grendel “lived/In Herot, when the night hid him, he never/Dared to touch king Hrothgar’s glorious/Throne, protected by God---God,/Whose love Grendel could not know” (lines 81-85). God is shown to protect good people like Beowulf and Hrothgar but actively go against or ignore the villains of story, Grendel and his mother. By having God himself (the ultimate being of pure goodness according to the bible) vigorously protect and aid Beowulf, that means Beowulf is acting as a champion of god thus by definition good. Beowulf’s connection with the God who has chosen to help him is concrete evidence of Beowulf’s status as a
Beowulf’s honor and pride is what drives him to be a hero. A part of his honor is being loyal to the ones he respects. Beowulf’s loyalty to Hrothgar and his men are tested by the might of Grendel. The fearsome creature was “hoping to kill/Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot”(line 235-236). Grendel had already been well established as both a hateful and malicious monster and an undefeatable monster. Grendel had not been so much as scratched by any of the Danish soldiers. Despite that Beowulf did not run. Not even when “Grendel snatched at the first Geat/He came to, ripped him apart, cut/His body to bits with powerful jaws,/Drank the blood from his veins and bolted” did Beowulf even consider to dishonor himself by running away or fleeing(line 262-265). The same could be said for when Beowulf is fighting the dragon. Not even when “The ancient blade broke” and “failed him before it when deep enough” stopped Beowulf(lines 672-674). Even as “The Dragon leaped/With pain, thrashed and beat at him, spouting/Murderous flames, spreading them everywhere” or as even as “ he suffered, wrapped around in swirling/Flames” did he give in. (line 676-691). Despite having a clear disadvantage he will not run. In contrast, he will make sure he does not have any sort of huge advantage over his enemies if possible. Beowulf actually wanted to fight the dragon bare handed and even said “use no sword, no weapon, if this …show more content…
The Judeo-Christian god present in the epic Beowulf has been shown to help the main character in mysterious and odd ways.. While Beowulf is fighting Grendel’s Mother the author states “ Holy/God, who sent victory, gave judgment/For truth and right, Ruler of the heavens,/Once Beowulf was back on his feet and fighting” (lines 509-512). God is helping him get back on his feet. Standing up without God would have been impossible. Otherwise God would not have helped him up. He also could not have received victory if God had not sent it first. God has not shown to help villains in Beowulf. God even repels evil since When Grendel “lived/In Herot, when the night hid him, he never/Dared to touch king Hrothgar’s glorious/Throne, protected by God---God,/Whose love Grendel could not know” (lines 81-85). God is shown to protect good people like Beowulf and Hrothgar but actively go against or ignore the villains of story, Grendel and his mother. By having God himself (the ultimate being of pure goodness according to the bible) vigorously protect and aid Beowulf, that means Beowulf is acting as a champion of god thus by definition good. Beowulf’s connection with the God who has chosen to help him is concrete evidence of Beowulf’s status as a