Beowulf is first presented as a courageous thane when news reaches him that the Danes are being attacked by a creature named Grendel, who walks the Mead Hall at night. Beowulf gathers his best men and sails to Denmark in order to protect the Danes by fighting off the creature. Beowulf could have simply ignored the news about Grendel, but instead, he risks his life by fighting him, in which he wins. He becomes prideful over his victory and sends happiness to King Hrothgar and to the Danes: “The man who had lately landed among them, / proud and sure, had purged the hall, / kept it from harm he was happy with his nightwork / and the courage he had shown” (Greenblatt
Beowulf is first presented as a courageous thane when news reaches him that the Danes are being attacked by a creature named Grendel, who walks the Mead Hall at night. Beowulf gathers his best men and sails to Denmark in order to protect the Danes by fighting off the creature. Beowulf could have simply ignored the news about Grendel, but instead, he risks his life by fighting him, in which he wins. He becomes prideful over his victory and sends happiness to King Hrothgar and to the Danes: “The man who had lately landed among them, / proud and sure, had purged the hall, / kept it from harm he was happy with his nightwork / and the courage he had shown” (Greenblatt