Beowulf is an epic tale of good and evil, where we are told of a true warrior’s bravery in the face of danger and challenge. In Beowulf, we read of men who held courage and honor above all else; heroes whom had an indifferent view of death, who stayed true to their word, and were a glimpse of hope for the meek and defenseless. These warriors were brave, but were they without fear? It’s hard to say because fear is to an extent subjective, and we don’t know exactly how they must have felt in battle with a demon, but what we can deduce from the story, is that they were experienced dealers with challenge. Much of what we see happen to these warriors throughout the story is in a figurative sense, all about triumph over challenge after challenge,
…show more content…
This really is a testament of the theme bravery, and how he never gave up regardless of the trial. While on route with his band of men and the thief who had awoken the dragon, Beowulf senses that this may be his last battle, and addresses his men one last time before they do battle with the dragon. “I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open.” (Greenblatt, 95) Here Beowulf knows he is outmatched, but is still eager to fight because of his will to triumph over any adversity. He decides to continue, knowing the likelihood of his death. His bravery is rooted in the fact that he will probably die in the ensuing battle saying “…But I shall be meeting molten venom in the fire he breathes, so I go fourth in mail-shirt and shield. I won’t shift a foot when I meet the cave-guard; what occurs on the wall between two of us will turn out as fate” (Greenblatt, 95) I think what he’s saying is that he believes he will soon be meeting death, so he is going to face this evil with no fear in his heart, because whatever happens is fated to be. Beowulf shows a great deal of courage facing the dragon only with the aid of Wiglaf, whom proves to be the only Geat warrior who’s courage is even moderately comparable to
This really is a testament of the theme bravery, and how he never gave up regardless of the trial. While on route with his band of men and the thief who had awoken the dragon, Beowulf senses that this may be his last battle, and addresses his men one last time before they do battle with the dragon. “I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open.” (Greenblatt, 95) Here Beowulf knows he is outmatched, but is still eager to fight because of his will to triumph over any adversity. He decides to continue, knowing the likelihood of his death. His bravery is rooted in the fact that he will probably die in the ensuing battle saying “…But I shall be meeting molten venom in the fire he breathes, so I go fourth in mail-shirt and shield. I won’t shift a foot when I meet the cave-guard; what occurs on the wall between two of us will turn out as fate” (Greenblatt, 95) I think what he’s saying is that he believes he will soon be meeting death, so he is going to face this evil with no fear in his heart, because whatever happens is fated to be. Beowulf shows a great deal of courage facing the dragon only with the aid of Wiglaf, whom proves to be the only Geat warrior who’s courage is even moderately comparable to