What does it take to get a break from and to ultimately overcome the evil that surrounds us every day? Ever since the fall of man back in the dawn of time, there has always been evil in the world, it has haunted man and followed closely behind him everywhere he goes. This is made visible in “Beowulf” by (insert author here) through multiple scenes when Beowulf builds the courage to take on evil head on. Beowulf affirms that evil can endanger peaceful civilizations, there can be small respites from evil in this world, and when evil seems overwhelming, it takes virtues such as humility, loyalty, and courage to defeat it. First, “Beowulf” affirms that human evils such as presumption, despair, cowardice, and hatred endanger peaceful civilizations.
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He proves this through taking several different actions. First, he does this by just stepping up to the plate and taking on the challenge that Hrothgar and Unferth are too afraid to face, Grendel. Beowulf, unlike Hrothgar and Unferth, hears of the Danes’ suffering and leaves his homeland just to put the suffering to an end. Once in Denmark, he shows a great amount of courage and respect for Hrothgar and his kingdom. He states his motive of handling Grendel and Hrothgar gladly accepts. Beowulf then waits for Grendel in Heorot and shows no fear during their legendary battle. Once Grendel is gone and dead, Beowulf gives Heorot a respite of peace from evil. Hrothgar is no longer complacent and in despair. Beowulf helped pull Hrothgar away from the human evil that haunted him and that he ultimately not help. Hrothgar states in his celebration speech in Heorot after Beowulf’s victory, “This one worry out weighed all the others- a constant distress to counselors entrusted with defending the people’s forts from assault by monsters and demons. But now a man, with the Lord’s assistance has accomplished something none of us could manage before now for all our efforts” (Heaney 24). Beowulf then had to battle Grendel’s mother and reinstate the respite from evil. Once again Beowulf proves to both Hrothgar and Unferth that respite from evil is possible if they have to courage and strength to …show more content…
Beowulf affirms that it takes humility to defeat evil before every battle he goes into. At first it may seem like he is boasting, but what he is doing is the total opposite of boasting. Beowulf would make a “boast” for motivation during his battles. He knew that if he didn’t live up to his boast ding the battle, then his reputation would be ruined. He also gave glory to God and said that his victories wouldn’t be possible without the Lord by his side. Before going into battle with Grendel, Beowulf made the decision not to fight with a weapon because Grendel didn’t have one. Beowulf stated, “hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fiend. Whichever one death fells must deem it a just judgement by God” (Heaney 13). This quote demonstrates the not only is humility need to defeat evil, but courage as well. It took a lot of courage to fight Grendel with no armor or sword and just fight bare handed. Later on, in the poem when Beowulf is old and ruler of the Geats, he decides to take his best men and go battle a dragon that has been terrorizing his people. Once his best men see what they have gotten themselves into, all of them but one let Beowulf down and turn and run. The one man who stuck with Beowulf, Wiglaf, helps Beowulf defeat the dragon and proves that loyalty is also a key factor in defeating evil. Also,
He proves this through taking several different actions. First, he does this by just stepping up to the plate and taking on the challenge that Hrothgar and Unferth are too afraid to face, Grendel. Beowulf, unlike Hrothgar and Unferth, hears of the Danes’ suffering and leaves his homeland just to put the suffering to an end. Once in Denmark, he shows a great amount of courage and respect for Hrothgar and his kingdom. He states his motive of handling Grendel and Hrothgar gladly accepts. Beowulf then waits for Grendel in Heorot and shows no fear during their legendary battle. Once Grendel is gone and dead, Beowulf gives Heorot a respite of peace from evil. Hrothgar is no longer complacent and in despair. Beowulf helped pull Hrothgar away from the human evil that haunted him and that he ultimately not help. Hrothgar states in his celebration speech in Heorot after Beowulf’s victory, “This one worry out weighed all the others- a constant distress to counselors entrusted with defending the people’s forts from assault by monsters and demons. But now a man, with the Lord’s assistance has accomplished something none of us could manage before now for all our efforts” (Heaney 24). Beowulf then had to battle Grendel’s mother and reinstate the respite from evil. Once again Beowulf proves to both Hrothgar and Unferth that respite from evil is possible if they have to courage and strength to …show more content…
Beowulf affirms that it takes humility to defeat evil before every battle he goes into. At first it may seem like he is boasting, but what he is doing is the total opposite of boasting. Beowulf would make a “boast” for motivation during his battles. He knew that if he didn’t live up to his boast ding the battle, then his reputation would be ruined. He also gave glory to God and said that his victories wouldn’t be possible without the Lord by his side. Before going into battle with Grendel, Beowulf made the decision not to fight with a weapon because Grendel didn’t have one. Beowulf stated, “hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fiend. Whichever one death fells must deem it a just judgement by God” (Heaney 13). This quote demonstrates the not only is humility need to defeat evil, but courage as well. It took a lot of courage to fight Grendel with no armor or sword and just fight bare handed. Later on, in the poem when Beowulf is old and ruler of the Geats, he decides to take his best men and go battle a dragon that has been terrorizing his people. Once his best men see what they have gotten themselves into, all of them but one let Beowulf down and turn and run. The one man who stuck with Beowulf, Wiglaf, helps Beowulf defeat the dragon and proves that loyalty is also a key factor in defeating evil. Also,