Values of a Hero
Throughout the epic poem, Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, many values embodied by heroes in the Anglo Saxon culture are portrayed. The main character, Beowulf, is the perfect hero according to the culture in this time period. He has all of the traits that a true hero needs. Beowulf is loyal, brave, and he also has great physical strength. Above all of these traits, Beowulf’s pride is what makes him such a great hero. Many of his great accomplishments are because he wanted to be more famous and proud of himself. Because of these traits Beowulf was a very famous and successful hero in his culture.
According to the Anglo Saxon culture a true hero is always loyal. Beowulf proves his loyalty multiple times throughout the epic. …show more content…
The trait that really distinguishes Beowulf from other warriors in the Anglo Saxon time period is his pride. Beowulf is very proud of all his accomplishments, and he will tell anyone that. Some may think that Beowulf is almost over confident, but it is his pride that allows him to accomplish the things that he does. Without the motivation to become more famous and boast about his accomplishments, he may have not been able to do the things he does. Beowulf shows his pride when he gave his final boasts before going to fight Grendel. Beowulf announce, “… I shall fulfil that purpose, prove myself with a proud deed or meet my death here in the mead-hall” (Beo. 636-637). Beowulf is saying he wants to kill Grendel so he can be proud of himself. He is even willing to die right there in the mead-hall just to be proud and have something to boast about. Beowulf also shows that he likes to have pride in his accomplishments near the end of the epic when he decided to fight the dragon. Beowulf says, “I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning…” (Beo. 2513-2515). Beowulf is announcing that he is going to fight the dragon just for the pride he will gain. Although he could just send his warriors to fight the dragon, he wants to fight it alone so he can be truly proud of himself. Beowulf’s motivation to become more proud of himself is what motivates him through all of his battles. Without pride
Throughout the epic poem, Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, many values embodied by heroes in the Anglo Saxon culture are portrayed. The main character, Beowulf, is the perfect hero according to the culture in this time period. He has all of the traits that a true hero needs. Beowulf is loyal, brave, and he also has great physical strength. Above all of these traits, Beowulf’s pride is what makes him such a great hero. Many of his great accomplishments are because he wanted to be more famous and proud of himself. Because of these traits Beowulf was a very famous and successful hero in his culture.
According to the Anglo Saxon culture a true hero is always loyal. Beowulf proves his loyalty multiple times throughout the epic. …show more content…
The trait that really distinguishes Beowulf from other warriors in the Anglo Saxon time period is his pride. Beowulf is very proud of all his accomplishments, and he will tell anyone that. Some may think that Beowulf is almost over confident, but it is his pride that allows him to accomplish the things that he does. Without the motivation to become more famous and boast about his accomplishments, he may have not been able to do the things he does. Beowulf shows his pride when he gave his final boasts before going to fight Grendel. Beowulf announce, “… I shall fulfil that purpose, prove myself with a proud deed or meet my death here in the mead-hall” (Beo. 636-637). Beowulf is saying he wants to kill Grendel so he can be proud of himself. He is even willing to die right there in the mead-hall just to be proud and have something to boast about. Beowulf also shows that he likes to have pride in his accomplishments near the end of the epic when he decided to fight the dragon. Beowulf says, “I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning…” (Beo. 2513-2515). Beowulf is announcing that he is going to fight the dragon just for the pride he will gain. Although he could just send his warriors to fight the dragon, he wants to fight it alone so he can be truly proud of himself. Beowulf’s motivation to become more proud of himself is what motivates him through all of his battles. Without pride