How Does Beowulf's Personality Change

Bravery is the quality of mental strength that one may have regarding fear, danger, and difficulties. Beowulf is a prime example of a hero in the way that he sacrifices his life time after time for those around him to fight off monsters. Throughout the poem, Beowulf shows bravery and confidence but his priorities and personality change as time goes on. He changes from a naive and reckless warrior to a caring and wise king. At first, he is eager to kill Grendel without much thought then he became revengeful to kill Grendel's Mother, at the end he makes the most sensible decisions for his people. In the beginning, Beowulf comes off as arrogant and naive with his unwavering confidence that he will kill Grendel without weapons and with ease.

Before the battle with Mother Grendel Beowulf is alerted that a dear friend of King Higlac has been murdered by Mother Grendel which causes him to become upset and go after her. Evidence to support this is stated in line (p.18)“I promise you this: she’ll find no shelter, No hole in the ground, no towering tree, No deep bottom of a lake, where her sins can hide.” In this quote, Beowulf seems more spiteful when talking unlike when it came to Grendel he seemed calmer. He may be upset that Mother Grendel got past him and took one of the people he promised to protect and possibly smudged his reputation, Though revengeful Beowulf's confidence and bravery are still present when he hunts down Grendels mother. When he and the warriors reached the lake where Grendels mother lives Beowulf is the only one brave enough to swim other. Beowulf's bravery was shown when the poem states, “Only Beowulf would risk His life in that lake;/ But Beowulf and fear were strangers; he

The battle was fierce and difficult with Beowulf struggling greatly. His bravery and confidence weren’t as bold as before but still present in a more humble manner. Now that Beowulf has become king the reader sees a much more courteous and caring version of him compared to the past arrogant and cocky version. Evid ence of change was in line ?, “Their words brought misery, Beowulf's sorrow beat at his heart: he accused Himself of breaking God's law, of bringing The Almighty's anger down on his people”. Sorrow isn't something that has been related to Beowulf in the past text. This quote gives the idea and feeling that Beowulf has grown and aged. In the past when hearing of something like this Beowulf would've rushed into killing the beast. Beowulf's ego isn't as prominent now that he’s grown old and wisened up now he’s more focused on his people rather than glory or fame. An example of this is in line, “That noble prince Would end his days on earth, soon, Would leave this brief life, but would take the dragon With him,”(pg.25). Once again
Beowulf's confidence and ego aren't there but his bravery is. Beowulf knows he will most likely die