What Makes Beowulf And Ragnar Alike

Improved Essays
Many people consider a hero a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Beowulf is without a doubt one of the most iconic heroes in english literature. However, Ragnar Lodbrok is by far the most famous and well known viking king to ever live. Beowulf and Ragnar have a lot of similar characteristics and virtues when it comes to taking care of there own people. Ragnar and Beowulf share many heroic characteristics such as courage, bravery, Selflessness, Humility, Patience, and caring.

Courage and Bravery are heroic virtus shared since the beginning of man. Beowulf and Ragnar's ways of showing courage and bravery were very different on every account. Beowulf Showed courage and bravery on account
…show more content…
Needs must I now perform knightly deeds in this hall, or here must meet my doom in darksome night”. (Beowulf 47)

Beowulf Showing his bravery by swimming into the blackness of the night with such vigor he scared sea monsters away he “fought” Grendel's Mother. (Beowulf 51) Ragnar However Showed his courage and bravery in other ways. Ragnar is known as one of the most famous Viking warlords of his time. He was a very powerful king, who ruled over Denmark. (Ragnars Saga 12) Ragnar and Beowulf proved to be very much alike. They were both great kings, who everyone near and far knew not to threaten. Although Beowulf was more or less awarded with his kingdom after defeating Grendel’s Mother (Beowulf 68) him and Ragnar are still quite similar. Ragnar fought long and hard for his kingdom. From the late eighth to late eleventh century. The scandinavians ruled ruthlessly over basically all over Europe. (Ragnars Saga 1) Ragnar united Scandinavia and ruthlessly raided all of the known world at the time for his own kingdom. (Ragnars saga

Related Documents

  • Great Essays

    Heroism In Beowulf Essay

    • 2325 Words
    • 10 Pages

    In a world that is constantly evolving, the traits and actions of a hero adapt over time. What constitutes as heroism in one culture could be cowardice in another. In terms of literature, Beowulf has stood the test of time and has consistently been regarded as the epitome of heroes. While the character for whom the epic is named after performs a few daring deeds, what sets Beowulf apart from others is the exploration of his heroism in two distinct phases. The beginning of the tale starts with Beowulf in his youth; he is strong, brave, quick to volunteer to do what needs to be done.…

    • 2325 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Another example is that on page 51,when he went to fight Grendel without any weapons. When someone goes to battle they, would usually have all types of weapons with them, but Beowulf showed how fearless and brave he was by going to battle a vicious creature with his bare hands. Finally, the last example is on page 56 when he went to battle Grendel’s mother. Even though his…

    • 182 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He states “I have come so far. O shelter of warriors and your peoples loved friend, that this one favor to you should not refuse me- that I, alone with the help from my men, may purge all evil from this hall.” (page 47). Beowulf also shows bravery by going to fight Grendel’s mother after she killed Hrothgar’s friend and stole her sons arm back (page 52). Then, he showed bravery by fighting back in the last battle when the dragon…

    • 326 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Not only must the hero has bravery, but also enough strength to use their bravery. Once they have mastered both of those elements they have courage. Beowulf shows courage throughout the epic poem, much like Rescorla showed courage when others froze in fear. Both warriors showed courage on and off the battlefield. Beowulf showed courage off the battlefield by reassuring others that he would take the enemy down.…

    • 543 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This quote extremely depicts how much strength Beowulf possesses. In this epic poem, Beowulf exemplifies many heroic traits and Courage is among those heroic traits. In the poem Beowulf tells stories of slaying monsters by himself in the night while at sea. During the final battle with the dragon all of Beowulf’s followers flee, besides Wiglaf.…

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf, for example, was a very heroic person. His whole life was dedicated to being a hero. From the time he was just a warrior until he was king. Thor, The warrior god, on the other hand was a loyal and honest hero.…

    • 712 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf has many qualities that portray him as an epic hero. He has a strong desire to protect the Dane and Geat Kingdoms. Beowulf has a sense of duty when he chooses to fight Grendel due to the friendship that his father and King Hrothgar share. He has a strong sense of confidence that allows him to go into battle with determination. “Alone now with Grendel.…

    • 757 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    If Beowulf’s sole heroic quality was his strength than when he discovered he was not as strong as the Dragon he would have either fled or called for help. His courage and self-sacrifice is what aided him in his defeat of the Dragon. Even his death is heroic. Beowulf’s death encourages his men to have courage in themselves and at the same time inspires them to new heights. A hero more than anything needs the confidence and courage to defeat a villain.…

    • 850 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf Essay Who is one that is on a quest, performs brave deeds, is someone with superior/super human strengths and intelligent or courageous, and is significant or glorified? His name is Beowulf, and he is an epic hero! Beowulf was known as the greatest warrior of his time. He fought and killed numerous amounts of dragons, monsters, and mystical creatures.…

    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In Beowulf, Beowulf, the main character, is regarded as a hero. He is known throughout the Land of the Danes and the Land of the Geats as fearless and courageous when he comes to their aid to help slay Grendel, Grendel’s mom, and a Dragon. Beowulf’s heroism is exemplified in two phases: the first is youthful heroism and the second is mature heroism, once he is crowned King. Throughout his life, Beowulf helped not only his own people, but also those in other lands. People look up to him for his great strength and the ability to never back down from a challenge, even when he knows fate might bring him to his death.…

    • 1127 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf’s bravery can be attributed to the fact that he always stayed loyal to God and kept his word to others in the toughest of situations. Beowulf epitomizes bravery as he never backs down from a fight no matter the challenges…

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “The man whose name was known for courage” (340). This line in Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf, fully elucidated what Beowulf had to possess to succeed. After making the decision to help the Danes in their troubles, Beowulf is faced with the responsibility of defeating Grendel, his mother, and a dragon. These adventures proved not only Beowulf’s heroicness, but also his courage. He faces threats, but through a series of events, he learns to apprehend the benefits of having fearlessness.…

    • 838 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Beowulf: The Absolute Epitome of an Epic Hero Throughout history there have been many literary works that portray an epic hero, defeating the supernatural and displaying great courage in difficult situations. Beowulf, written during the Anglo-Saxon time period, depicts the perfect example of the epic hero through the main character. Beowulf is considered an ideal model due to the characteristics given to the protagonist. The legendary warrior, Beowulf, accepted fatalism and accomplished significant tasks in order to save others from malevolent forces.…

    • 1165 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Human Traits In Beowulf

    • 1369 Words
    • 6 Pages

    This spirit of bravery is an attribute that one would most likely not expect from the average man, who would flee from this type of fight, or would refuse to go into this fight without a strong weapon. Perhaps the greatest example of Beowulf’s bravery was his willingness to descend to great depths to face a mother’s wrath alone. After accepting Hrothgar’s challenge to defeat Grendel’s mother, Beowulf goes to make well on his promise. Beowulf, without hesitation, “leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s/ Answer; the heaving water covered him over” (450-452). Beowulf not only leaps into a place of immense danger, but he willingly does so…

    • 1369 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Heroic Code In Beowulf

    • 2007 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Seen as “the mightiest man on earth/ high-born and powerful”(ll. 197-198), Beowulf engaged in three major battles leading up to his death. Within each of the three battles, courage was always brought along as a source of strength. Before even engaging himself into the battle with Grendel, Beowulf sailed over to the Danish shore to help Hrothgar protect his people and to defeat this ruthless demon. When the battle approached he courageously stepped up to fight and this showed his devotion to the heroic code and to the Danish people.…

    • 2007 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays