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Examples Of Masculinity In Beowulf

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What makes a man? In the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, masculinity is a theme that is displayed throughout the poem. Today masculinity is still portrayed in similar ways as in the time of Beowulf. Some of the same elements associated with being heroic and manly are skilled leadership, perseverance in spite of difficulty, honor through behavior. The first quality of masculinity Beowulf shows is skilled leadership. When Beowulf prepares to leave Heorot, Hrothgar says Beowulf is fit to be king: "'You are strong in body and mature in mind, impressive in speech ... if only you would undertake the lordship of your homeland'" (1845, 1852). Hrothgar says this because of all the heroic and masculine acts Beowulf has done to gain his honor, such as slaying Grendel and Grendel's mother. Beowulf also displays masculinity through leadership when he chooses to fight the dragon because it has killed …show more content…

In the boast between Beowulf and Unferth, Beowulf exposes Unferth by telling him: “'You killed your own kith and kin'” (587). The Danes see the action as extremely dishonorable and it damages the reputation of Unferth. This statement immediately shows that Beowulf is the better man and warrior because he would never do such a thing, and the Geats know for being a hero in his homeland. The second way we see honor in Beowulf is when Unferth gives Beowulf Hrunting, a sword for a worthy warriors: “And another item lent by Unferth / a rare and ancient sword named Hrunting” (1455,1458). Beowulf's acceptance of the sword shows honor because he is willing to do anything to help the Danes even if it means to bury the Hatchet with Unferth. Similarly one way honor today is displayed through masculinity and heroism is in military forces. Masculinity and heroism is shown through military forces because people look at the military as honorable men because of the bravery they display in defending his/her

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In the article, Beowulf’s Androgynous Heroism, The author tells us that Beowulf is one of the “most memorable in his capacity as the masculine warrior and king.” (Robert Morrey, Beowulf’s Androgynous Heroism, University of Illinois Press) Even though he had no feminine companion beside him, he still fulfilled his roles, as he should have. Beowulf was authentically strong and unquestionably capable of standing up, even when nobody else could. He was able to stand up and arrest control when need be. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, he was struggling to be the best he could be until Enkidu died, his best friend.

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1250 Words | 5 Pages

The story tells of many characters who faced the same circumstances as Beowulf, yet failed to respond in a similar and valiant effort, like Beowulf. For example, when facing the dragon nearly all of his hand picked soldiers coward in fear. Beowulf then showed humility by turning down his first offer to be king. When Hrothgar died, he offered Beowulf the throne; however, he refused, which allowed the rightful heir, Hrothgar’s son to be placed into power. This decision exemplifies the value he placed on ethics and honor.

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123 Words | 1 Pages

In Citizen Kane, the mise-en-scene was designed to evoke an emotion that permeates the whole movie. The mise-en-scene in the film happens when the parents of the young boy, Charles Kane, are speaking with a refined man in the house. While they are all speaking, you can see the little boy playing with his sled, having fun outside in the snow, as you look into the background through the window. This part presents the image of the innocence that is taken from him in that exact moment. There he is pure and innocent and what a child should be, but we will at no time see him in this condition after the decisive change that is taking place without his understanding and

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490 Words | 2 Pages

This code of honor in Beowulf can be seen in the battle between Beowulf and Grendel. The “powerful monster” was quick to attack unsuspecting men in Herot and wouldn’t stop as “No savage assault quench his lust for evil.” Beowulf, despite having heard of Grendel’s power, still decides to fight Grendel equally, without any weapons. “I have heard, Too, that the monster’s scorn of men/ Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I.”

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904 Words | 4 Pages

In Beowulf, Unferth tries to rile up Beowulf, viewing him as not as glorious as the stories claim, but once he kills Grendel and begins his hunt for Grendel’s mother, he realizes his words were wrong. He tries to apologize by lending Beowulf his own sword, Hrunting. Beowulf gladly accepts the sword and even states “‘to that far-famed man I bequeath my own / sharp-honed, wave-sheened wonder-blade. / With Hrunting I shall gain glory or die’” (1489-1491).

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1573 Words | 7 Pages

In the world of Old English poetry, children are rarely seen, the lower-classes are rarely mentioned and the women are marginalised. This world belongs to the elite male warrior; a brotherhood who live and die by the heroic code. There seems to be little room for women in this world yet, when they appear, some, actively erode the boundaries between men and women, while others uphold the structures that cause divide. Homosociality The world of Beowulf is one of male dominion over the homosocial divide, for the benefit of men, the dominant gender.

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1423 Words | 6 Pages

In most literature works, the stereotypical views of men and women have always been clear to the audience; especially on the occasions where the events of the certain time period played a drastic role in the tale, book or play. Epic is a genre of literature that consumes readers with a warrior, contending the enemy while that particular hero unites the multiple stories within the poem. Beowulf is a tale possessing three diverse adventures based on many stereotypical masculine qualities, such as violence, revenge, feats of power and execution of mercy; this story is a male driven plot. This epic demonstrates the stereotypical view of women as helpless and insecure beings under the dominance of men. Warrior culture is one of the main themes

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650 Words | 3 Pages

Masculine Ideals in Anglo-Saxon Society The concept of a hero is prevalent through all generations because it presents a template for ethics and behavior. Beowulf is a pivotal epic told by poets throughout early european society and mirrors the manly nature of their ideal hero. The patriarchal values of the Anglo-Saxons are displayed through the epic Beowulf. The characters’ loyalty to their leaders as well as their conventional sense of masculinity indicate that the values of a society determine the values of an individual.

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532 Words | 3 Pages

Beowulf attempted to comfort Hrothgar and the warriors by exclaiming, “Let your sorrow end! It is better for us all to avenge our friends, not mourn them forever”. He then aims to convince Hrothgar that “for the glory of his name, fame after death is the noblest of goals”. Beowulf believes it is worth dying for a good

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859 Words | 4 Pages

From the moment we step out of our bed, and on the very moment we opened our eyes, temptations had always been there, roaring like a lion and seeking for its prey. It’s the thing that we can’t run for, for it needs to be met, sometimes it’s the thing that we want, our deepest desire, the thing that we longed for, and wish to have, by hook or by crook. For temptation seduce, like a lovely maiden with a golden hair, how can one resist? The story of Beowulf simply implies the failure of the man with his struggle against temptation.

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675 Words | 3 Pages

In the epic poem “Beowulf” the character Beowulf is the foundation for all of our modern heroes, but was he really a great hero? A hero is classified as a person who is admired for their bravery, achievements, or nobility. Although Beowulf displays all these qualities, there are several reasons he is not a hero, mainly him being egotistical and arrogant. This is why Beowulf is not a heroic person. Beowulf is often caught bragging about himself and his great accomplishments.

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621 Words | 3 Pages

Beowulf embodies many universal societal heroic values that are signified in the modern world like courage, bravery, and strength. In the poem, Beowulf displays courage. “Now, I mean to be a match for Grendel, settle the outcome in single combat” (Heaney 425-426). This quote shows courage because he’s telling them that he can fight Grendel and wants to weather he wins or loses.

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821 Words | 4 Pages

The epic poem “Beowulf”, translated by Burton Raffel, focuses on a hero by the name of Beowulf who goes on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar and his people from an egregious monster by the name of Grendel. This Anglo-Saxon tale gives insight into the values and beliefs of the people from whom the story originated. Their war-centered ideology and views on loyalty and courage were the principles that the Anglo-Saxon culture was founded upon. While warfare was a focal point in their lifestyle, it was far from a savage, barbaric state of fighting. Honor and prestige were bestowed upon those who died during battle and selflessness for fellow warriors was a fundamental belief.

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805 Words | 4 Pages

The continued honor shown in Beowulf’s character shines through when Beowulf never mentions that Unferth’s trusted sword was no match for Grendel’s mother. Beowulf could have simply boasted how the sword was useless and ineffective against the female beast, yet he was silent out of respect for Unferth. Finally, during Beowulf’s time as ruler (fifty winters), another beast arrives: a dragon. This time, Beowulf is much older and is in a much weaker state than when he first defeated Grendel and his mother. However, that does not deter Beowulf from going out and defending his kingdom.

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353 Words | 2 Pages

Beowulf had done the unthinkable—he had killed a demon that no warrior of Denmark could have done. This opened several new doors for Beowulf, including one that promised of honor, glory, and riches. Beowulf had achieved his goal of fame, a goal which had created a poem of a hero that birthed and shaped a story to be told even years later. Furthermore, Beowulf’s fame was set in stone by Hrothgar, the king who owed Beowulf his everything, including his thanks. After giving Beowulf the speech to further glorify his prominence, Hrothgar declares, “Glory is now yours/

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