In the Anglo-Saxon epic poem, Beowulf, a myriad of virtues define the warrior Beowulf. Coming from his homeland in Geatland, he arrives in the land of the Danes in hopes of helping King Hrothgar defeat an evil monster, Grendel. Beowulf is an impressive, strong warrior who will not only defeat Grendel, but also will demonstrate how in life one must seek glory before death, a legacy. A man’s reputation and his lineage is supremely important in the patriarch society Beowulf lives in. Consequently, through his code of honor, loyalty and pride, he leads in battle and conquers his enemies, acquires fortunes, gains land and all the treasures imaginable. He will encounter three battles that will depict his character and his worth. Beowulf is the epitome
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Upon his death, Queen Hygd offers the kingdom to Beowulf; however, he rejects the offer. Instead, Hygelac’s son, Heardred, acyquired the throne but died at the hands of Swedes. Only then, did Beowulf become king and ruled the Geats for half a century. The last of his significant virtues, his pride, would be both his fortune and his downfall. For his final quest, Beowulf faces a dragon. The dragon guards a treasure in a barrow where a thief, through a secret passage, removes a bejeweled goblet. Enraged, the dragon inflicts his wrath on the kingdom, burning everything in his path, including Beowulf’s home. An aging Beowulf saddened by the turmoil decides to fight the dragon. As he readies his armor, the poem writes, “…he was destined to face the end of his days…” (2342), foreshadowing Beowulf meeting his end, but the aging warrior knows it as well. However, because of his pride and his warrior blood flowing through his veins he does not recoil in fear. Rather, he opts to decline taking an army with him, “He had scant regard for the dragon as a threat, no dread at all…for he had kept going in the past…” (2347-2350). Beowulf’s pride will not allow him to think that he cannot defeat the dragon. He had victoriously defeated the monsters before. However, as he fights the dragon he is losing the battle. He had taken a few of his men but they fled once the dragon commenced obliterating Beowulf. A …show more content…
He was a man more interested in elevating his reputation, than acquiring riches. He knew that his name and word is what preceded him and ultimately, when dead, would establish his everlasting legacy. Wiglaf, in the last battle, demonstrated that he is the perfect successor to Beowulf. Beowulf knowingly, bequeaths his kingdom to him. It is in this moment that Beowulf understands that to lead men, one must be a hero. He lived his life in honor, loyalty and pride to acquire greatness. Of all the men, Wiglaf honorably stood by his king, loyal until defeating the dragon and proud of having not fled like the rest of the men. This paralleled Beowulf standing by Hrothgar, killing both Grendel and the mother and never once waning in battle. These traits are what set Wiglaf apart from the rest, just as much as Beowulf from his men. Heroes are always fighting in a bigger scale. Riches, much like any tangible treasures are mutable, going from one king onto the next. However, one’s name and reputation reigns through generations; it is a prestigious tile vouching for the hero’s virtues, value and merit. Beowulf asserted himself in that league. He was a hero, who even in death never feared his mortality, because once his body and soul left this Earth, his legacy would
Upon his death, Queen Hygd offers the kingdom to Beowulf; however, he rejects the offer. Instead, Hygelac’s son, Heardred, acyquired the throne but died at the hands of Swedes. Only then, did Beowulf become king and ruled the Geats for half a century. The last of his significant virtues, his pride, would be both his fortune and his downfall. For his final quest, Beowulf faces a dragon. The dragon guards a treasure in a barrow where a thief, through a secret passage, removes a bejeweled goblet. Enraged, the dragon inflicts his wrath on the kingdom, burning everything in his path, including Beowulf’s home. An aging Beowulf saddened by the turmoil decides to fight the dragon. As he readies his armor, the poem writes, “…he was destined to face the end of his days…” (2342), foreshadowing Beowulf meeting his end, but the aging warrior knows it as well. However, because of his pride and his warrior blood flowing through his veins he does not recoil in fear. Rather, he opts to decline taking an army with him, “He had scant regard for the dragon as a threat, no dread at all…for he had kept going in the past…” (2347-2350). Beowulf’s pride will not allow him to think that he cannot defeat the dragon. He had victoriously defeated the monsters before. However, as he fights the dragon he is losing the battle. He had taken a few of his men but they fled once the dragon commenced obliterating Beowulf. A …show more content…
He was a man more interested in elevating his reputation, than acquiring riches. He knew that his name and word is what preceded him and ultimately, when dead, would establish his everlasting legacy. Wiglaf, in the last battle, demonstrated that he is the perfect successor to Beowulf. Beowulf knowingly, bequeaths his kingdom to him. It is in this moment that Beowulf understands that to lead men, one must be a hero. He lived his life in honor, loyalty and pride to acquire greatness. Of all the men, Wiglaf honorably stood by his king, loyal until defeating the dragon and proud of having not fled like the rest of the men. This paralleled Beowulf standing by Hrothgar, killing both Grendel and the mother and never once waning in battle. These traits are what set Wiglaf apart from the rest, just as much as Beowulf from his men. Heroes are always fighting in a bigger scale. Riches, much like any tangible treasures are mutable, going from one king onto the next. However, one’s name and reputation reigns through generations; it is a prestigious tile vouching for the hero’s virtues, value and merit. Beowulf asserted himself in that league. He was a hero, who even in death never feared his mortality, because once his body and soul left this Earth, his legacy would