The Theme Of Pride And Heroism In Beowulf

From the conception of storytelling, heroes have played instrumental roles in the convection of the story’s morals and message. But what defines a true ‘hero’? In the renowned work Beowulf, the themes of pride and heroism are explored through the style of an Anglo-Saxon epic poem and clarify the classic definition of a hero and their journeys. Throughout the lengthy poem, the narrator expounds upon the heroic nature and actions of the warrior, Beowulf, and pays homage to the values and cultural significant to the culture of medieval Scandinavia. The narrator, whose position in the poem is “God-like”, speculative, and anonymous, sporadically utilizes the first-person pronoun “I” which lends a sense of casualness and creates a stark contrast …show more content…
The line between “good” and “evil” is very distinctly drawn and the murkiness of true heroism and villainess is shown as being entirely “black and white”. Throughout Beowulf’s tribulations, he “[relies] for help on the Lord of All on His care and favour” (89) and continuously attributes his accomplishments to God, appealing to the purity and wholesomeness associated with religion. Meanwhile, the antagonists are commonly referred to as “hell-brutes”, “monsters”, and “heathens”, thereby reinforcing the idea that they are thoroughly and indisputably depraved in every context. By creating such a distinct difference between the opposing sides, the valor of Beowulf is amplified and augments his image of a “larger than life”, superhuman hero. Beowulf is described in an extremely admirable light and appears to strike admiration and awe into all he meets. A Dane soldier comments upon first seeing Beowulf that he had never “seen a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless [he] is mistaken, he is truly noble” (19). Though Beowulf’s abilities and character have yet to be explored at this point, it is revealed that his sheer demeanor and the manner in which he carries himself exudes strength beyond comparison and nobility. But aside from simply possessing a heroic persona, Beowulf displays his bravery and valor, vital qualities of a hero, through his multitude of dangerous quests in which he defends the safety and lives of others. Beowulf declares that he “can show the wise Hrothgar a way to defeat his enemy and find respite- if any respite is to reach him, ever” (21) during the Dane’s struggle with the monster Grendel. His actions on the battlefield; whether it is in the halls of Heorot with Grendel, the fiery waters of hell with Grendel’s mother, or by the caves of the Geat’s land with a dragon, aptly display his strength, bravery, and courage and qualify him as a hero in the eyes