Thesis: After Beowulf’s defeat of Grendel's Mom, Hrothgar delivers a speech that captures the essence of a hero illustrated through the use of Archetypal references, irony, and vivid imagery.
I. The archetypical use of Hermod who succumbed to greed and corruption provides a contrasting image of what traits the protagonist should posses.
A. Hrothgar references the hubris of Hermod in his speech by saying “As Hermod once was to my people, too proud to care…”
B. The author uses this line to reflect the archetypical stories of Hermod, a man of great power but low character to indirectly contrast the qualities that Beowulf needs to obtain in his quest for heroism.
C. By using Hermod as a foil to Beowulf, the reader can make inferences to the traits Beowulf should posses. Things like greed, corruption, …show more content…
Irony is presented when Hrothgar criticizes Hermod for not providing riches to his people, when riches and power are the direct cause of the anti-hero that Hermod is.
Hrothgar ironically states to Beowulf “He shared out no treasure, showed His soldiers no road to riches and fame.’
B. The irony of this statement is evident, a hero when presented with great riches and rewards is often greeted with greed. The author makes it clear that Hermod was wrong by not showing his soldiers the way to riches, but in reality, by not presenting others to these great rewards he was saving them from the corruption that would follow.
C. The importance of the irony is clear, it provides a unique twist to how wealth and glory is to be dealt with. A hero must be able to manage their riches in moderation, to help control the corruption that would follow.
Conclusion:
The author’s development of heroism in Beowulf is shown through the archetypical foil of Hermod, dark imagery used to create disdain for greed and wealth, and irony in the form of the complex ways a hero deals with riches and
I. The archetypical use of Hermod who succumbed to greed and corruption provides a contrasting image of what traits the protagonist should posses.
A. Hrothgar references the hubris of Hermod in his speech by saying “As Hermod once was to my people, too proud to care…”
B. The author uses this line to reflect the archetypical stories of Hermod, a man of great power but low character to indirectly contrast the qualities that Beowulf needs to obtain in his quest for heroism.
C. By using Hermod as a foil to Beowulf, the reader can make inferences to the traits Beowulf should posses. Things like greed, corruption, …show more content…
Irony is presented when Hrothgar criticizes Hermod for not providing riches to his people, when riches and power are the direct cause of the anti-hero that Hermod is.
Hrothgar ironically states to Beowulf “He shared out no treasure, showed His soldiers no road to riches and fame.’
B. The irony of this statement is evident, a hero when presented with great riches and rewards is often greeted with greed. The author makes it clear that Hermod was wrong by not showing his soldiers the way to riches, but in reality, by not presenting others to these great rewards he was saving them from the corruption that would follow.
C. The importance of the irony is clear, it provides a unique twist to how wealth and glory is to be dealt with. A hero must be able to manage their riches in moderation, to help control the corruption that would follow.
Conclusion:
The author’s development of heroism in Beowulf is shown through the archetypical foil of Hermod, dark imagery used to create disdain for greed and wealth, and irony in the form of the complex ways a hero deals with riches and