Examples Of Heroism In Beowulf

The epic poem Beowulf is based on the themes of revenge and heroism, but the theme revenge has the main impact on the characters. The poet uses the theme of revenge to inspire character motivation, specifically that of Grendel, Beowulf, and Grendel’s mother. To begin with, Grendel seeks revenge against Hrothgar and Herot for being loud in their praises to God. Grendel doesn’t believe in God because he is a pagan. “A powerful monster, living in the darkness, growled in pain, impatient as day after day” (Beowulf, p. 48). He’s getting sick and frustrated of them worshiping God. He wants to get rid of them. Grendel started with wanting payback for them keeping him up at night, but now he was thirsty for more. “The beginning… And that night Grendel came again so set on murder that no crime could ever be enough” (Beowulf, p. 49). Consequently, Grendel snatches up thirty men while they were sound asleep and kills them; he went back for more the next night. …show more content…
Higlac calls upon his follower, who also goes by Beowulf, to help him out. “That, I alone with the help of my men, may purge evil from this hell” (Beowulf, p. 55). Beowulf along with the help of his men will be successful in defeating Grendel and releasing his sins. He was described as the strongest of all the Geats. “The battle was over Beowulf had been granted new glory” (Beowulf, p. 58). He is now known as a hero and his men looks up him now. He brought Grendel suffering as punishment for the hurt he put people through. “From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster’s Arm, claw and shoulder and all” (Beowulf, p. 59). As a result of this, Beowulf got his revenge and the monster doesn’t kill