Essay On Selflessness In Beowulf

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Register to read the introduction… Beowulf displays actions of selflessness through out the poem. His first action was by coming over to Heorot and defeating Grendel. After peace is achieved he walks into certain death to stop the terror of the Dragon that has been destroying his kingdom. Instead of having his men join him in battle he sends them off so that he may fight the Dragon alone and not risk other’s lives. After the Dragon is defeated he asks that all the spoils go to all those in the kingdom so that could prosper. Destroying the presence of evil in the kingdom of Heorot was an exceptional feet, but what makes Beowulf stand out is his purpose. He fought, neither for the glory nor riches, but for the sake of the people. This quality alone is exceptional enough to make Beowulf a …show more content…
Beowulf’s strength was not enough to kill the Dragon. Beowulf’s courage and selflessness was what ultimately defeated the Dragon. Beowulf needs the aid of Wiglaf to defeat the Dragon, because the Dragon was too powerful. In the beginning of the poem Beowulf’s definitive heroic characteristic is his strength. However in his battle with the Dragon he displays other characteristics. 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.
Beowulf’s fight against the Dragon shows his heroic characteristics. He displays his heroism by fighting the Dragon, displaying feats of strength and courage while fighting the Dragon, and by his selflessness. Beowulf’s battle is the climax of the story and fittingly it is also his highest showing of heroism. The other two battles build upon each other. Each one showing more heroic qualities than the other. His heroic qualities are simple at first because only his strength is shown, but when he sacrifices his life to kill the Dragon, he gives up the greatest treasure he owned and showed his best heroic

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