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Importance Of Reputation In Beowulf

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The reputations of the characters in the epic poem Beowulf are very important. The characters are much like modern day human beings. In today’s society all we seem to care about is our reputation. Beowulf is certainly interested in gaining his reputation and honor. Beowulf’s biggest concern just like most people in today’s society was how the world will see him. Beowulf was a strong, ambitious, and very confident warrior who wanted to keep his people safe but more than anything was just more worried about the title of being a hero. In the epic Beowulf goes into battle with a monster named Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the dragon. Unferth whom is a warrior that is jealous of Beowulf does not think Beowulf can defeat the monster Grendel due to his loss of a seven day swimming contest in the deep open sea against Brecca, Beowulf’s childhood friend. Beowulf could not sleep the night before the battle with Grendel: …show more content…

Grendel is known as the monster who has threatened the people of Herot for over 12 years because he can never share the joy that mankind shares. He envies all mankind because God blesses them with his glory but never him. Beowulf snapped the tendons and connective tissue deep in Grendel’s shoulder: “Muscle and bone split and broke” (34). Grendel escaped, wounded and Beowulf had gained new

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Examples Of Reputation In Beowulf

635 Words | 3 Pages

Beowulf Essay In Anglo-Saxon time, fame and reputation played a huge role Throughout Beowulf, Beowulf brags about himself, and you can tell that the main thing he cares about is his fame and reputation. In their time, you were represented by your fame and reputation. There are many specific examples that can be found throughout the book that shows the Anglo-Saxon values being reflected in Beowulf. The first example is when Beowulf arrives and Unferth and Beowulf get into a confrontation, Unferth says “You’ve been lucky in your battles, Beowulf, but I think your luck may change if you challenge Grendle.”

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Hrothgar's Heroic Code In Beowulf

553 Words | 3 Pages

If there is a challenge, Beowulf will meet it no matter how life threatening it could be. He was leaving makeshift will before he went to go fight the Grendel’s mother. This proves to us that he is not naïve. Beowulf knows that he could potentially die in the battle. This is what makes him so

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Differences Between The Book And Movie Beowulf

702 Words | 3 Pages

Beowulf went through so much to prove he was worthy enough to protect their kingdom and defeat Grendel. The story Beowulf was a great story to read and a great movie to watch; however, the battles were very eye catching and had a lot of extravagant and heroic doings of Beowulf. The first scenario that I’m going to discuss in the movie and story of Beowulf is The Battle with Grendel. In the movie Grendel attacked Beowulf in the Heriot while everyone was dancing and singing.

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Examples Of Reputation In Beowulf

436 Words | 2 Pages

One’s reputation can be set in a shadow of their parents’ or it can evolve from their past reputation. Reputation is an important theme throughout Beowulf. In example, Shield Sheafson, founder and king of the Danes, formed a reputation of his own. Starting out as an orphan and then bringing himself up to greatness “as his powers waxed and his worth was proved” (Beowulf 41). Shield Sheafson didn’t have anyone else in his life to base his reputation for him, so he had to build one on his own.

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Beowulf: Similarities Of A Real Hero

453 Words | 2 Pages

He was a fearless man, Beowulf is different from others. It was almost like Beowulf was immortal, he fights irregular creature. Most of the warriors wouldn’t even dare to attack such a beast or a creature. Some of the people called him more than a warrior because of his action. “To the floor, gold-covered boards grating as Grendel and Beowulf battled across them”.

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Beowulf's Reputation Essay

476 Words | 2 Pages

Founding Father Benjamin Franklin once said, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it”. If there is one man who has the experience to verify this statement, it is the monster-slayer Beowulf. In his lifetime, living in Geatland, Scandinavia, meant being judged as an individual primarily by past deeds and the family tree. Though Beowulf’s reputation had carried him through life on the model of the ideal hero, he came close to losing it all when he accepted a proposition from Grendel’s mother. Early in the film, there is already evidence that Beowulf’s reputation precedes him.

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Pride In Beowulf

857 Words | 4 Pages

Both Grendel and Beowulf are murdered due to their excessive pride for their actions. In the case of Grendel, he “had never been clamped or cornered like this” by any warrior before Beowulf (Beowulf, 756). His constant victories against the Danish men makes his confidence grow, believing that he could allow his rage and “demonic glee” to eradicate the Danish society (Beowulf, 730). His overconfidence, however, made “his days of ravening […] come to an end (Beowulf, 734-735). Grendel’s soaring ego is demolished by Beowulf, who ends up ripping Grendel’s arm off, leaving Grendel to flee, knowing his life would soon end (Beowulf, 814-823).

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Humility In Beowulf

414 Words | 2 Pages

Sinews split and the bone-lappings burst. Beowulf was granted the glory of winning; Grendel was driven under the fen-banks, fatally hurt, to his desolate lair. His days were numbered, the end of his life was coming over him, he knew it for certain; and one bloody clash had fulfilled the dearest wishes of the Danes. The man who had lately landed among them, proud and sure, had purged the hall.”

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How Is Beowulf An Epic Hero

576 Words | 3 Pages

Moreover, Beowulf never escaped the dangerous and he used the appropriate way to fight with Grendel. Only the people who have the ambition to win the war or fight will at full cock before the fight begin. Beowulf is a person who is confident to vanquish the

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Importance Of Reputation In Beowulf

255 Words | 2 Pages

A reoccurring theme that is found within Beowulf is the importance of reputation. Throughout the story, Beowulf is constantly talking of his reputation and accomplishments. The first case of this can be read when he comes to the aide of the Danes. When Beowulf was allowed in to see the king, some of his first words were, “When I was younger, I had great triumphs” (Beowulf, 121). He then continues to name some of the triumphs he had had as though his reputation were a resume.

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Why Is Beowulf An Epic Hero

703 Words | 3 Pages

Christopher Reeves once said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Although Beowulf was human, he was not an ordinary individual, hero, or king, for he was a man who displayed superhuman qualities in his efforts to protect the Danish and Geatish people. Beowulf, who was established Geatish warrior that spent his life in battle, showed these extraordinary characteristics that made him an epic hero, one who possesses superhuman, almost god-like qualities. Being constantly on a quest, risking his life for glory and the greater good of society, and being superiorly intelligent, courageous and strong are the three most important reasons why Beowulf deserves such a notable

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The Virtue Of Pride In Beowulf

1135 Words | 5 Pages

Beowulf’s exact words were ‘’Alone shall fight for me, struggle for the life against the monster’’ (Beers 173-174). For proof of his accomplishment Beowulf decided to take,snap, and brake Grendel 's arm apart even his shoulder was missing. Although Grendel escaped going back to the hole he crawled from death soon followed him.(Beers 370-375).Beowulf became famous and was given glory for saving King Hrothgar’s kingdom, but some still questioned despite the arm if Grendel had really been killed. Following after Grendel’s death ,his mother came to avenge her son’s death.

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An Epic Story Of Beowulf As An Epic Hero

502 Words | 3 Pages

Proving he was truly an epic hero with extraordinary strength and wits. One example of him being a very heroic and unnaturally strong is when he laid a trap for Grendel and battled him without weapons and armor man to beast. After he succeeded, Grendel's mother came to make a statement to the villagers and king of Denmark. Seeking revenge for her dead son, she slayed the King Hrothgar’s right hand man and lifelong best friend. Beowulf volunteers to deal with the threat and free Denmark of Grendel's mother's’ dark clutches .

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Examples Of Honor In Beowulf

805 Words | 4 Pages

Questions of Honor: Beowulf Beowulf’s honor and integrity can be questioned throughout the entirety of the epic poem, Beowulf. Whether or not his actions are inspired by his own pompous arrogance or confidence, one can argue that he is a hero nonetheless. Evidence and experience prove that Beowulf is more of a fearless hero than an excessively prideful man, and his hubris is more than justified due to the formidable duties he is able to execute. Throughout the poem, Beowulf expresses his intense strength and courage to the fearful people in the poem. His daring sense of self-assurance is backed by his victories against all three monsters, (even though he suffers a tragic death after facing the dragon, it is a defeat nonetheless).

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Human Values In Beowulf

1168 Words | 5 Pages

Moreover, through Beowulf, the reader has the ability to take some of their values and apply them to their life, and the overall human condition. These values and traits include, Honor, Bravery, and Loyalty, which considering their time they have become some of the most valuable traits in a person, and even a valiant warrior. Similarly, Beowulf, Hrothgar, Wiglaf, and various others demonstrate honor throughout this epic. Honor, described as respect and esteem, seen through Anglo-Saxons belief and the human condition. In the text the Geats and the Danes “honor” Beowulf after his last battle, by following his wishes of being cremated and placed with the treasures of the dragon, in a large burial tower by the sea, which was supposed to be seen by all voyagers.

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