Why did he do what he did?
(An analysis of Beowulf’s motivations)
In the story Beowulf by, Burton Raffel, Beowulf demonstrates many things that make him a great leader, prince, and the best hero that his people have ever had. In the story, the question is brought up several times in asking “why?”. Meaning, why does Beowulf do all the things that he does, when he never really received anything for the things that he has done. Beowulf, like any other thing that would do the things he does, clearly would have motivations. In the story Beowulf, I believe that there is three main motivations that explain why Beowulf does the things that he does. They are: for duty, to be a hero/glory, and for pride.
To begin, I believe that Beowulf chose to take on Grendel, (the first monster), because he felt like it was his duty. In the story, it explains that Beowulf had heard of the evil monster that would prey on …show more content…
Beowulf knew of the monster that had ruled the lake, and that it was Grendel’s mother. He knew that she was very revengeful, being that Beowulf had just slaughtered her son. She was killing and wanted to receive her son’s body parts so she could mourn him in the correct way. But in doing so, she would be killing more and more. Beowulf stepped in and knew that what he would do, would gain him glory and he would be recognized as a hero. “Sorrow not, brave one! Better for man to avenge a friend than much to mourn. All men must die; let him who may win glory ere death. That guerdon is best for the noble man when his name survives him.” This is another speech that Beowulf delivers to the king who is basically whining about how many men he has now lost due to Grendel’s mother. This is a speech that Beowulf delivered to basically say he will kill Grendel’s mother because he will be a hero to the king and all of his and the king’s
(An analysis of Beowulf’s motivations)
In the story Beowulf by, Burton Raffel, Beowulf demonstrates many things that make him a great leader, prince, and the best hero that his people have ever had. In the story, the question is brought up several times in asking “why?”. Meaning, why does Beowulf do all the things that he does, when he never really received anything for the things that he has done. Beowulf, like any other thing that would do the things he does, clearly would have motivations. In the story Beowulf, I believe that there is three main motivations that explain why Beowulf does the things that he does. They are: for duty, to be a hero/glory, and for pride.
To begin, I believe that Beowulf chose to take on Grendel, (the first monster), because he felt like it was his duty. In the story, it explains that Beowulf had heard of the evil monster that would prey on …show more content…
Beowulf knew of the monster that had ruled the lake, and that it was Grendel’s mother. He knew that she was very revengeful, being that Beowulf had just slaughtered her son. She was killing and wanted to receive her son’s body parts so she could mourn him in the correct way. But in doing so, she would be killing more and more. Beowulf stepped in and knew that what he would do, would gain him glory and he would be recognized as a hero. “Sorrow not, brave one! Better for man to avenge a friend than much to mourn. All men must die; let him who may win glory ere death. That guerdon is best for the noble man when his name survives him.” This is another speech that Beowulf delivers to the king who is basically whining about how many men he has now lost due to Grendel’s mother. This is a speech that Beowulf delivered to basically say he will kill Grendel’s mother because he will be a hero to the king and all of his and the king’s