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Critically analyse the character Beowulf from the poem Beowulf
Critically analyse the character Beowulf from the epic poem Beowulf
Critically analyse the character Beowulf from the epic poem Beowulf
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Hrothgar mentions that, "what [Beowulf has] done is to draw to peoples,/ the Geat nation and [them the] neighbouring Danes,/ into shared peace and a pact of friendship/ in spite of hatreds we have harboured in the past" (1855-1858). In that statement, Hrothgar is stating that Beowulf would be the right person to be a king for the Geats. It shows that Beowulf follows the ethics of king when he decides to makes peace with another nation when they had conflict. Also, he even states that Beowulf is "a protector of his people, pledged to uphold/ truth and justice and to respect tradition. . . in a things you are even-tempered,/ prudent and resolute" (1700-1706).
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.
Close Reading #1 Hrothgar tells his men that today should be a day of mourning because their friend, soul mate, and true mentor is dead. He was one of the few men that he trusted; he vows to kill Grendel’s mother in Aescheres’ name. He now acknowledges that this is the consequence of killing Grendel. The king tells Beowulf that he would give him everything that he can imagine (land and treasure), if he were to kill Grendel’s mother. He talks about Grendel’s ancestry in disgust; he states that his family is hidden within ghosts and demons and they dwell within the trenches of the lake.
King Hrothgar shows bravery and courage in several ways, one of those ways being, that he was prepares to take on Grendel before Beowulf arrives and accepts the challenge. Hrothgar may have been very mighty and courageous in his days, but he also became very weak and old in age close to when Beowulf set foot into the kingdom. The moment where Hrothgar shows much weakness is when he couldn’t defend his people against Grendel so he put the task on Beowulf, someone who could defeat Grendel. Hrothgar lacks the physicality to be a warrior but has the wisdom and mental strength that can overpower anyone else’s physical
During Beowulf’s grand exit from Heorot, Hrothgar gives him a long and loving embrace; “And such was his affection that he could not help being overcome; his fondness for the man was so deep-founded, it warmed his heart and
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
Beowulf says “The noblest and wisest counselors of my people advised me to come to you, lord Hrothgar because they knew of my great strength. ”(page 13, paragraph 4) Beowulf says he destroyed the race of giants, killed sea monsters and he endured hardships to avenge
He did carry the ways of a Anglo-Saxon which were honesty, kindness,loyalty, and honor. But all of that was soon covered up with his prideful thinking. Beowulf came to the aid of the king Hrothgar and his people willingly, knowing he could solve the king’s problem. Beowulf succeed in killing the monster getting fame , glory, and riches. Although Beowulf brought along his mighty warriors he persisted that they stay and watch him defeat the monster named “Grendel’’ all alone.
Beowulf lives in a time of war, because it is mentioned throughout the myth. During the beginning part of the myth it talks about how king Hrothgar was known as a great warrior with battle skills and had many warrior who would follow him for their respect for him in battle. The warriors in each society are always held with important status, because they are allowed to stand with nobles and king’s advisors during funerals. Which shows that the warrior are need in their world because they need to fight battles with either other territories or occasionally some monstrous creatures. Also during Beowulf and Hrothgar funerals they were buried with armor and weapons, this shows that their people believed they would have to fight even in the afterlife.
He has true honor and respectfully distributes treasure and gifts to those whom he believes rightfully deserves them. Beowulf’s loyalty to the Danes helps shed light on his true character. He expresses that he believes he may die in battle between Grendel, but that does not dissuade him from fighting the beast. Another example is when Hygelac dies, Beowulf is asked to take the throne. In doing so, that would mean the the son of Hygelac would be stripped of his own inheritance, which is dishonorable in Beowulf’s eyes, and thus he declines the offer.
As he ages, Beowulf defends his people with the same intent as the former king and displays the same heroism that is apparent in the United States military. Heorot, a dining hall that provides Hrothgar’s people place
To understand the true meaning of the exchange, it is important to show where in the narrative it came from. Beowulf has just come from boasting to Hrothgar, the king of the danes, so he can get the king's approval to fight Grendel. He uses humility and his history of being a hero to win over Hrothgar. Hrothgar invites Beowulf to enjoy a feast with the danes.
This affects Beowulf because his reputation is vital to him. Beowulf fires back with a reminder that Unferth killed his own kin. “[...] and the forthright Unferth, admired by all for his mind and courage, although under a cloud for killing his brothers, reclined near the king” (1164-1167). To prove himself, Beowulf informs the King Hrothgar of his new expedition, killing Grendel. “Grendel was the name of this grim demon haunting the marches, marauding round the heath and the desolate fens; he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain's clan, whom the creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts.”
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/
He tell Hrothgar whether fate allows him victory or death, Beowulf will fight Grendel. When Beowulf and his men are left to defend the Heorot, the men neither fear nor take flight. Many of Beowulf’s men believe that they will see their last night, yet none leave Beowulf’s presence, for their loyalty is strong. Loyalty in this passage is shown by their trust in their leader, even if death is required. Whether pay attracted loyalty or not, it was upon the men to decide if they trust in their leader enough to take pay.
