Beowulf, an epic poem composed around 750 AD (Greenblatt 26), is a story of a Dane named Beowulf and his astonishing feats of bravery and sacrifice. Beowulf’s actions showcase his strength, sacrifice, honor, faultlessness, courage, compassion, and seemingly inborn, infallible behavior. Even onlookers termed him “stout of heart” (Beowulf 338), “noble” (314), and “formidable” (370). Beowulf is a quintessential hero who lived a for the good of others and died for the good of others. The moral throughout the story of Beowulf is that self-sacrifice is an overt trait of the classic hero figure.
Beowulf displayed his heroic and sacrificial attitude throughout his life. Beowulf leaves everything behind to assist and support a neighboring king Hrothgar, whose kingdom was under attack from a demon named Grendel. As soon as Beowulf meets Hrothgar, he pledges to give his own life in the fight to help the people, if need be:
If Grendel wins, it will be a gruesome day; he will glut himself on the Geats in the war-hall., swoop without fear on that flower of manhood as on others before. Then my face won’t be there to be covered in death; he will carry me away as he goes to ground, gorged and bloodied; he will run …show more content…
Wiglaf and Beowulf have various complementary and parallel traits. Wiglaf is loyal, gallant, and self-sacrificing, similar traits of Beowulf. In lines 2648-2653, Wiglaf declares valiantly to his comrades: “Let us go to him, help our leader through the hot flame and dread of the fire. As God is my witness, I would rather my body were robbed in the same burning blaze as my gold-giver’s body than to go back home bearing arms.” This is Wiglaf’s declaration of loyalty to Beowulf, and an example of his willingness to sacrifice his life in order to aid a man he looks up to, as well as his homeland. Wiglaf rushed down to where a dragon was fighting Beowulf and said to
Beowulf displayed his heroic and sacrificial attitude throughout his life. Beowulf leaves everything behind to assist and support a neighboring king Hrothgar, whose kingdom was under attack from a demon named Grendel. As soon as Beowulf meets Hrothgar, he pledges to give his own life in the fight to help the people, if need be:
If Grendel wins, it will be a gruesome day; he will glut himself on the Geats in the war-hall., swoop without fear on that flower of manhood as on others before. Then my face won’t be there to be covered in death; he will carry me away as he goes to ground, gorged and bloodied; he will run …show more content…
Wiglaf and Beowulf have various complementary and parallel traits. Wiglaf is loyal, gallant, and self-sacrificing, similar traits of Beowulf. In lines 2648-2653, Wiglaf declares valiantly to his comrades: “Let us go to him, help our leader through the hot flame and dread of the fire. As God is my witness, I would rather my body were robbed in the same burning blaze as my gold-giver’s body than to go back home bearing arms.” This is Wiglaf’s declaration of loyalty to Beowulf, and an example of his willingness to sacrifice his life in order to aid a man he looks up to, as well as his homeland. Wiglaf rushed down to where a dragon was fighting Beowulf and said to