Comparing Bravery In Beowulf And King Arthur

Everyone is often told tales of heroes and their adventures but not very often are people told of epic heroes. The epic tale of Beowulf transcribed by Richard Barber and the tale of King Arthur adapted by Richard Barber both show many characteristics of a literary hero. Both Beowulf and Arthur display bravery a trait valued highly in their societies, each characters actions determine the fate of a group, and the two also fight against overwhelming odds.

Courage or bravery is the ideal that the hero is ready to face their foe despite fear or danger. Bravery is an epitome that many societies uphold as one the greatest traits a hero must have. Beowulf, for instance, displays his courage in multiple instances such as when he first comes to the

Grendel, feared by the Danes, attacks Heorot the hall which Hrothgar built, and is frightening enough word of his deeds has reached the Geats. He also demonstrates his bravery as he swims into the depths of the murky lake to reach the cave where Grendel’s mother inhabits (Beowulf). Grendel’s mother enraged over the loss of her child, seeks revenge against the Geats and Danes, in her rage she attacks Heorot. Beowulf, vowing to avenge the men lost, swims to the depths of the lake to kill her in full armour it almost taking over a day to reach the bottom of the lake. King Arthur, in the same manner, establishes his bravery through courageous deeds. Arthur and his knights go north of Hadrian’s Wall to rescue a prominent Roman family while facing Woads and Saxons (Arthur). The land north of the wall is untamed and home to Pagans known as Woads, who attack the Romans hoping reclaim their homeland. It is during this time the Saxons have begun to invade the British Isles destroying each village and killing all who they come across. Even as a young child Arthur exhibits bravery as Woads attack his village, Arthur takes his father’s sword Excalibur from his burial mound to save

Their conduct is often the reason people succeed or surrender. Beowulf is responsible for the untimely demise of many Danes and Geats after defeating Grendel, as his mother becomes incensed upon her child’s death, attacking Heorot and killing numerous Geats and Danes (Beowulf). Grendel having been just brutally attacked by Beowulf, returns to his mother’s cave mortally wounded, as one of his arms ripped from the shoulder hangs beneath the roof of Heorot. Upon Grendel’s demise his mother takes revenge and attacks the mead hall as the warriors sleep killing many. Later in his life Beowulf is responsible for his own tragic demise. As a fellow warrior Wiglaf and Beowulf stand alone against the dragon which terrorises their people, Beowulf deals a fatal blow to dragon at the cost of his own life (Beowulf). Dragons are extremely protective of their treasures and when a man steals a most precious cup from the hoard, the dragon promises to avenge the theft with fire. His rage is unleashed upon the countryside attacking villages and burning them to the ground, Beowulf now king of the Geats takes action and with a company of warriors leads an attack against the dragon. In the ensuing battle Beowulf and the loyal Wiglaf alone face the dragon, in one final act Beowulf defeats the dragon but is mortally wounded by the bite of the dragon and dies soon after the battle. Arthur and the Sarmatian knights are the