The path of a hero has never been clear and straight. It often twists and turns, running through patches of darkness, yet always managing to lead the hero to the light. Just like the heroes themselves, no two pathways are alike. Consequently, these differences make it seem that no encompassing definition of a hero could possibly exist. Despite this, heroes still manage to remain almost universally identifiable across time and cultural boundaries, even when their existence conflicts with other influential ideas. One well known literary character, Beowulf, easily finds this widespread recognition as a hero across these boundaries and in the face of conflict. The tale of Beowulf, which itself is rooted in the Anglo-Saxon and pagan view of a heroism,
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Not only can they coexist, but they also serve to strengthen the hero in ways that either set of values could not accomplish on their own. Emily Bartz, an undergraduate student at the Minnesota State University, recognizes the existence of Christian and pagan concepts of heroism coming together throughout Beowulf. “The poet traces a definitive move away from the ancient pagan heroic values to his own Christian heroic values. However, as in the poet’s contemporary culture, certain pagan traditions, such as familial fidelity, persist in Beowulf due to their compatibility with Christian culture” (Bartz 1). While I disagree that Beowulf served as a definitive move away from pagan heroic values, opting instead to think that the poet wished to show that pagan values could be maintained even in the face of newfound Christian ideas, I do believe she makes in important point that many pagan values were easily compatible with Christianity. This is the basis for my belief that Beowulf serves as a link between pagan and Christian thinking. The inclusion of the tension and resolve between discorded values as they apply to Beowulf shows that these values not only exist well together but also serve an important function in creating the heroic character of Beowulf that has survived for so …show more content…
If we take a moment to think about all the heroes who have appeared over the course of history, it is difficult to identify one who did not exhibit these two traits. It that regard, it’s not necessarily the specifics of the actions or risks being taken, but the relationship between these two concepts. While strength, bravery, courage, loyalty, and many other characteristics become commonplace in the idea of a hero, they are not necessary for one to exist. Beowulf exhibits all of these properties, and yet it is only through situations that combine his helping of others and risk-taking nature where he really emerges as the hero. Beowulf is “constantly risking life and limb to help the Danes as well as his own people” (Becker and Eagly 164). Leading up to his battle with Grendel, Beowulf states that he has come from far for “the privilege of purifying Heorot, with my own men to help me, and nobody else,” following this by saying “if Grendel wins, it will be a gruesome day… he will carry me away as he goes ground to ground, gorged and bloodied; he will run gloating with my raw corpse” (Norton 50). Here, Beowulf is displaying both his desire to end the reign of terror brought on by Grendel upon the Danes as well as the obvious risks to life and limb. Had there not been the lives of the Danes at risk or any
Not only can they coexist, but they also serve to strengthen the hero in ways that either set of values could not accomplish on their own. Emily Bartz, an undergraduate student at the Minnesota State University, recognizes the existence of Christian and pagan concepts of heroism coming together throughout Beowulf. “The poet traces a definitive move away from the ancient pagan heroic values to his own Christian heroic values. However, as in the poet’s contemporary culture, certain pagan traditions, such as familial fidelity, persist in Beowulf due to their compatibility with Christian culture” (Bartz 1). While I disagree that Beowulf served as a definitive move away from pagan heroic values, opting instead to think that the poet wished to show that pagan values could be maintained even in the face of newfound Christian ideas, I do believe she makes in important point that many pagan values were easily compatible with Christianity. This is the basis for my belief that Beowulf serves as a link between pagan and Christian thinking. The inclusion of the tension and resolve between discorded values as they apply to Beowulf shows that these values not only exist well together but also serve an important function in creating the heroic character of Beowulf that has survived for so …show more content…
If we take a moment to think about all the heroes who have appeared over the course of history, it is difficult to identify one who did not exhibit these two traits. It that regard, it’s not necessarily the specifics of the actions or risks being taken, but the relationship between these two concepts. While strength, bravery, courage, loyalty, and many other characteristics become commonplace in the idea of a hero, they are not necessary for one to exist. Beowulf exhibits all of these properties, and yet it is only through situations that combine his helping of others and risk-taking nature where he really emerges as the hero. Beowulf is “constantly risking life and limb to help the Danes as well as his own people” (Becker and Eagly 164). Leading up to his battle with Grendel, Beowulf states that he has come from far for “the privilege of purifying Heorot, with my own men to help me, and nobody else,” following this by saying “if Grendel wins, it will be a gruesome day… he will carry me away as he goes ground to ground, gorged and bloodied; he will run gloating with my raw corpse” (Norton 50). Here, Beowulf is displaying both his desire to end the reign of terror brought on by Grendel upon the Danes as well as the obvious risks to life and limb. Had there not been the lives of the Danes at risk or any