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Critically analyse the character Beowulf from the poem Beowulf
Beowulf literary analysis
Beowulf as an archetype of the Anglo Saxon times and society
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In the book Beowulf, the author drew a picture of Beowulf who was the hero that met the Anglo-Saxon standard. He is brave, honorable and brilliant. To contrast, Grendel was “mankind enemy” that in Anglo-Saxon culture, represented monster. According to modern society’s standard, there are also heroes and monsters. Deng Jiaxian is hero for modern society in that he is patriotic and selfless.
Darian Aker Mr. Tate English IV 27 September, 2017 Beowulf Essay In this epic, the main character, Beowulf, faces many horrendous monsters. However, as the reader, and the interpreter, I am asked to explain how Beowulf portrays the qualities of an archetypal epic hero. After reading of his battles, his character displays great acts of courage, intelligence, and strength, while warriors revel as Beowulf defeats the creatures. Following his battles, Grendel and Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar and his men celebrate and thank him for his acts of bravery with many cherished gifts.
Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Tale of Loyalty and Glory In today’s day and age, each individual value or values that people hold fill up an immense spectrum; the number of different values are innumerable. The epic poem Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, follows the antagonist hero, Beowulf, and his gang of Geats as they quest for fame and fortune, glory and gold in Anglo-Saxon times. In the story, the team of warriors under Beowulf’s leadership undertake impossible tasks such as slaying a deadly monster and an even deadlier dragon. The journey of these Geats consists of many battles and obstacles that emphasize the core values of the Anglo-Saxon era.
The hero in the epic poem Beowulf is the main character, Beowulf. He demonstrates heroic qualities as soon as the readers are introduced to his character. Beowulf proves himself to be courageous and brave by voluntarily fighting the “undefeatable” monster, Grendel. He is greatly admired by both the Danes and Geats for his courageous acts. Although his motivation is altered to only benefit himself with the title of the greatest warrior, his plan to save the Danes is greatly appreciated by all in the land.
Since it began in oral convention, the epic Beowulf has no known creator. It does, in any case, serve as a representation of the Anglo-Saxon society it begins from. As a show-stopper, it additionally fills its need of good direction, today serving as an exhibit of what qualities were essential to the Anglo-Saxon individuals. Particularly seen through the characters of Beowulf and Wiglaf, the ballad Beowulf represents three critical ethics of now is the ideal time: boldness, honor, and faithfulness. Beowulf, the saint of the lyric, shows incredible fortitude in all that he does.
The story of Beowulf isn’t just any ordinary story, but a story that has been told for centuries. A story of a hero who’s legacy has been told for so long. Beowulf’s life shows the characteristics of a true epic hero. He showed bravery, he used his strength against his enemies and in the end gave the ultimate sacrifice for his people.
People in this world connect to stories with heroes and conflict between good and evil. Beowulf also shows examples of selflessness and, a noble man who makes a journey to save others from dangerous situation and gives his life to save his own people. Between those situations he shows his code of honor, when he was awarded a name that many wanted him to have, he turns it down because it belongs to another. Beowulf is a good role model, he sticks to his own morals rather than falling into peer pressure. Loyalty, honesty, family tie, and christianity play a key role in the epic poem.
Through this major societal push to be remembered and hold a legacy, the Anglo-Saxons valued warriors for the loyalty, strength, and courage they pursued. These values are important to Anglo-Saxon culture and to its literature. Beowulf, both the epic and the character, represents these values of loyalty, strength, and courage time and time as seen by the melded perspective of Anglo-Saxons and the Christian scribes in this piece of literature. Loyalty to the King and the warriors is seen as a sign of immortalizing character throughout the Anglo-Saxon history. This is depicted by
On a dark and stormy night, Batman saves the jewelry shop by defeating the Joker and retrieving the jewels. Like most modern day heros, Batman is there to serve justice and help the people in the city. During the Anglo-Saxon period, the hero Beowulf was created to help people. Although he was an Anglo-Saxon hero, he shares characteristics like Batman and many other modern day superheroes. When people picture a superhero, they think of a person who is always there for his people, superpowers, colorful outfits, ect.
Meghana Sunder Mr. Wachtor English 12 31 August 2015 Beowulf Character Analysis In the poem Beowulf, we see the Anglo-Saxon hero. It is an epic of a hero who embodies the honor of the Anglo-Saxon culture and tradition. The poem in itself is an elegant script of Anglo-Saxon times. Composed in 8th or 9th century the epic was passed down from generation to generation orally and has no known author.
In Beowulf, an English epic poem that tells of the tell of the incredible warrior Beowulf, Anglo-Saxons values of the time period are displayed. Loyalty, bravery, and honesty are three of the most important values
In today’s society, anybody can be considered a hero. A hero is a selfless person who is admired for their courageous achievements. A mother, celebrity, or even a mailman can be a hero to someone. In Beowulf, the epic poem translated by Burton Raffel, Beowulf is recognized as a hero who craves too much glory. In today’s world, Beowulf is viewed as an irrelevant hero since he displays poor qualities of arrogance and selfishness.
Beowulf is a poem that based in the 10th and 11th century that revolved around the idea of good vs evil. The poem is named after Beowulf who is a supernatural hero that slays any evil that crosses his path but is a real sweetheart when it comes to other people or the king. Beowulf is to be considered an epic poem because the hero in the story creates acts of being courageous and even superhuman in some cases, reflecting timeless values such as courage and honor, and the poem reflects unforgettable values with honor and courage. Typically in an epic poem, one will see a character or “the hero” who has outstanding courage and commit superhuman deeds and show values to other people in that era. “Then he drew himself up beside his shield./The fabled warrior in his warshirt and helmet/trusted in his own strength entirely/
Beowulf possessed the poised demeanor necessary to defeat all evils by the arrogant swing of his sword. The commitment shown by lending his life to the welfare of his people was imperative in order to be called a flawless warrior. Beowulf embodied the determination that Anglo-Saxons saw as unmeasurably valuable. If nothing more than just fiction, Beowulf is the ideal hero of the people from who he originated. “They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.”
The Perfect Hero In every heroic tale, there lies a theme of balance in values. Every hero is said to possess a fatal flaw; whether they overcome this flaw or let it define who they are is up to them. In the epic poem Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, it is not particularly hard for the reader to point out their perceived flaws of our hero: arrogance, pride, egotism. Yet, Beowulf stands tall in the poem as the perfect hero, adored and praised by all.
