Beowulf's Unstoppable Courage Essay

Beowulf’s Unstoppable Courage In the novel Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf possesses unstoppable courage which allows him to help move the plot along and maintain the balance between good and evil. Beowulf first exhibits courage when he first hears the news of Grendel. He immediately assembles a team together and goes over to Heorot upon receiving word of Grendel’s actions. Beowulf shows courage even when no one else volunteers to complete the task: “Then news of Grendel,/ had to ignore, reached me at home...people supported my resolve/ to come here to you” (Heaney 409-10, 416-17). As soon as word reaches Beowulf of the monster Grendel, he prepares men and goes to Heorot. Beowulf steps up to the task when no one brave enough will, even when they receive news of the terrorizing monster. This action required courage and without it, Grendel would continue to terrorize

Beowulf's views on the news of the dragon: “He had scant regard/ for the dragon as a threat, no dread at all/ of its courage and strength, for he had kept going/ often in the past” (2347-50). Beowulf’s courage is so great that he has no fear of any monster or foe that attacks his people or home. He does not see the fire-breathing dragon as a threat at all. In time, Beowulf becomes king and takes on the responsibility of protecting his people and, in this instance, from a fire-breathing, raging dragon. Beowulf declares to his people: “This fight is not yours/ nor is it up to any man except me” (2532-33). Beowulf takes on full responsibility for the dragon because of his courage, which makes him fearless. Without this courage, the dragon would continue to destroy the town and kill the people and evil would be victorious. However, since Beowulf is around to step up to the fight, the people are saved even at the sacrifice of his own