Beowulf
We all know that actions speak louder than words, but when do words speak louder than the actions that you have done. In the epic poem, Beowulf, we have a great Geat warrior who is best known for being the strongest and the best fighter in his land. Beowulf has fought many demons and monsters and always seems to have fate on his side. With all that being said, Beowulf seems like a great candidate for being a role model to many, especially during the Anglo-Saxon era. However, I think that this poem might be one of the rare cases where the words speak louder than the actions performed, and instead of fighting all those monsters for the good of the people, and to end the horror that they had caused the innocent people for many years, …show more content…
Beowulf was boasting that since Grendel did not use mail and a weapon, that he would not either. “ That the monster’s scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I.” (Beowulf Lines 262-264). If Beowulf were to underestimate Grendel then he, too would be killed like all the others who stood against his savage acts, Beowulf knows nothing of his opponent and not the slightest clue of just how blood-curling he could actually be. Beowulf was simply doing all of this for fame, and even proclaims that he does not want any of the fame he is going to get, be lessened by using his sword. “ Might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some linden shield.” (Lines 265-267). Beowulf is only looking at this situation as a way to make his fame grow, add another accomplishment to the list he so condescendingly boasted about before. Which leads me to think, if Beowulf is not as perfect as people …show more content…
Beowulf was victorious over Grendel, but he soon found that this victory came with a price. When Beowulf sets off to kill the demon, he brings nothing more than a sword and some armor, he does not devise a plan or even bring some men with him. This is a big mistake, because Beowulf knows nothing of his new opponent and knows not of her abominable ways, this “strategy” could easily backfire on Beowulf. Soon after the fight starts Beowulf finds himself extremely outmatched, and if he had chosen to not wear his enchanted armor, like with Grendel, he would have been killed in seconds. “ She tried to work her fingers through the tight ring-woven mail on his breast, but tore and scratched in vain” (Lines 477-479). “Her stabbing blade was blunted by the woven mail shirt he wore on his chest” (Lines 521-522). Not only was Beowulf outmatched, his weapons served no used to him, making him weaponless against a foe far superior to any he ever faced before. “...swung his sword... Straight at her head...and soon discovered no sword could slice her evil skin.” (Lines 492-498). Beowulf does not address all possible problems that might accrue, and relies solely on his strength. Luckily fate was on his side, again, and he was able to defeat Grendel’s mother, but because of the qualities that Beowulf shows, I think that he is not a person to be
We all know that actions speak louder than words, but when do words speak louder than the actions that you have done. In the epic poem, Beowulf, we have a great Geat warrior who is best known for being the strongest and the best fighter in his land. Beowulf has fought many demons and monsters and always seems to have fate on his side. With all that being said, Beowulf seems like a great candidate for being a role model to many, especially during the Anglo-Saxon era. However, I think that this poem might be one of the rare cases where the words speak louder than the actions performed, and instead of fighting all those monsters for the good of the people, and to end the horror that they had caused the innocent people for many years, …show more content…
Beowulf was boasting that since Grendel did not use mail and a weapon, that he would not either. “ That the monster’s scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I.” (Beowulf Lines 262-264). If Beowulf were to underestimate Grendel then he, too would be killed like all the others who stood against his savage acts, Beowulf knows nothing of his opponent and not the slightest clue of just how blood-curling he could actually be. Beowulf was simply doing all of this for fame, and even proclaims that he does not want any of the fame he is going to get, be lessened by using his sword. “ Might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some linden shield.” (Lines 265-267). Beowulf is only looking at this situation as a way to make his fame grow, add another accomplishment to the list he so condescendingly boasted about before. Which leads me to think, if Beowulf is not as perfect as people …show more content…
Beowulf was victorious over Grendel, but he soon found that this victory came with a price. When Beowulf sets off to kill the demon, he brings nothing more than a sword and some armor, he does not devise a plan or even bring some men with him. This is a big mistake, because Beowulf knows nothing of his new opponent and knows not of her abominable ways, this “strategy” could easily backfire on Beowulf. Soon after the fight starts Beowulf finds himself extremely outmatched, and if he had chosen to not wear his enchanted armor, like with Grendel, he would have been killed in seconds. “ She tried to work her fingers through the tight ring-woven mail on his breast, but tore and scratched in vain” (Lines 477-479). “Her stabbing blade was blunted by the woven mail shirt he wore on his chest” (Lines 521-522). Not only was Beowulf outmatched, his weapons served no used to him, making him weaponless against a foe far superior to any he ever faced before. “...swung his sword... Straight at her head...and soon discovered no sword could slice her evil skin.” (Lines 492-498). Beowulf does not address all possible problems that might accrue, and relies solely on his strength. Luckily fate was on his side, again, and he was able to defeat Grendel’s mother, but because of the qualities that Beowulf shows, I think that he is not a person to be