The Oxford English Dictionary defines virtue as, “a moral quality regarded as good or
desirable in a person” (virtue, n). In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf displays
more virtuous qualities in his first fight, at Heorot, against Grendel, than he does in his last fight,
in Geatland, against the dragon.
In the fight with Grendel, Beowulf is helping the aged king Hrothgar defend his kingdom
against a foe that Hrothgar himself cannot defeat. Beowulf doing this is both brave and generous,
which are two virtuous qualities. He shows both bravery and generosity by taking the initiative to
travel from Geatland to Denmark to fight a foe who is not threatening his own people. Even if, as
Hrothgar suggests, it is true that
desirable in a person” (virtue, n). In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf displays
more virtuous qualities in his first fight, at Heorot, against Grendel, than he does in his last fight,
in Geatland, against the dragon.
In the fight with Grendel, Beowulf is helping the aged king Hrothgar defend his kingdom
against a foe that Hrothgar himself cannot defeat. Beowulf doing this is both brave and generous,
which are two virtuous qualities. He shows both bravery and generosity by taking the initiative to
travel from Geatland to Denmark to fight a foe who is not threatening his own people. Even if, as
Hrothgar suggests, it is true that