Beowulf & Grendel

In the Epic of Beowulf, Beowulf’s confidence undergoes an evolution. He soon battles Grendel with firm self-confidence. Later, when he fights Grendel’s mother, this confidence enlarges and morphs into the furious aggression of pride. By the time Beowulf engages in his last battle, he exhibits arrogance, if not hubris. This excessive pride is Beowulf’s unchecked, rising confidence that leads to his ultimate downfall. In other words, his “overweening ambition” is his fatal flaw (hamartia). Yet, as…

Beowulf is known as “the hero of all heroes” which is why the poem is an epic story due to having a hero as a character. Beowulf's life had been filled with strong and courage throughout the poem. People would look up to him and trust him at all cost. People would see what he would do for his them while protecting them from evil. Beowulf's character traits are shown through the three battles with the supernatural. In the first battle, Beowulf's bravery was on full display within the battle with…

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a hero as “a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities”. Both the history of mankind and literature are saturated with stories of heroes, many of which, are connected to royalty. Whether the hero is rewarded with royalty or begins the hero journey in a position of supremacy, heroism and royalty always coincide. Heroes and eminence also have a plethora of traits in common with each other. Heroes are rewarded with…

all else is shown in Beowulf. The fairytale dragon that killed Beowulf with his insane amount of strength has turned the story into making him a magnificent warrior. Christian ideas are being introduced through the character’s achievements to the reader of the story. Dedication, humbleness, and the self-sacrifice are outstanding qualities for a first class person. The characters that was added into the story that has gloomy outcome from the selfishness and such high ego. Beowulf mother and the…

Throughout the epic, Beowulf ages fifty-plus years. He goes to several battles, becomes a great warrior, establishes a name for himself, and eventually becomes king of the Geats. In order for Beowulf to establish an identity and prove to his people that he is trustworthy, he fought in a series of battles including Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. He claims to have the strength of thirty men in one arm and often gives gifts of great measure. He proves, time and time again, that he is…

“Malignant by nature, he never showed fear” (Heaney 137). Grendel, a disfigured, murderous beast roams the shadows of Heorot with his “monstrous hell bride” (1259) of a mother. To the people of Heorot, they are both outcasts, forbidden from living a normal life amongst civilization. This has been the case for as both Grendel and his mother have lived on the Earth, due to a God-cursed history leading to the birth of Grendel. That curse has led both of Heorot’s monsters to be separated from…

learning through stories is a vital part of attaining real life knowledge. Beowulf provides many life lessons that are still relevant in today’s modern society, one of these lessons being ‘Beware the Grendels’. Beware the Grendels is ultimately being aware that evil is going to be an ever present entity in the world and that one needs to overcome each evil one will undoubtedly face throughout life. In the epic poem Beowulf, the hero journey of Beowulf’s great battles throughout his life while…

Heroes have captivated the minds of people throughout time. They fill the lore of cultures in all time periods and give societies a beacon of hope. The Epic of Gilgamesh and Beowulf are cultural examples of heroes. These stories gave their respective cultures hope and the thrill of a higher stratosphere of ability and honor. More importantly, these heroes help present day historians learn more about the cultures that idolized them. The Epic of Gilgamesh begins by narrating the rule of Gilgamesh…

Shield Sheafson the Minor King There are a wide variety of characters in the epic Beowulf, all of whom have their own specific function in the poem. In the epic, Beowulf goes on a voyage to the Danish empire to liberate Heorot Hall from Grendel and Grendel’s vengeful mother. After returning from his journey, Beowulf ages and eventually becomes king of the Geats. The Geats are at peace until a dragon attacks, forcing Beowulf to perform one last heroic deed and defeat the dragon, but not…

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…