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Motivation In Beowulf

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(An Analysis of Beowulf’s Motivations in the Text of Beowulf) “Everyone suffers some injustice in life, and what better motivation than to help others not suffer in the same way.” Bella Thorne once said. Beowulf, by an unknown author, is an ancient story passed down from many generations depicting the exact stature of a hero. The text is about a fellow by the name of Beowulf, or the son of Ecgtheow, who finds his way to the land of the Danes where a large monster named Grendel has been harassing the civilians. With Beowulf’s reputation, he was warmly welcomed by the Danes to come and defeat this beast. Later he finds out that Grendel has a mother, and the story continues to a later date where Beowulf defeats a dragon in his own land of the Geats. A simple question can always be asked of any hero; why are they using their strengths for good or why do they want to help the people? Beowulf has been known to have a few distinct motivations for the actions in which he has become famous. Within the story of Beowulf, Beowulf’s first motivation is that it is his duty to help the land of the Danes. Beowulf has taken on many other monsters or villain s and has always defeated his opponent. This monster is causing lots of harm to the Danes and Beowulf sees it as a responsibility to lend his help. He is confident that he is …show more content…

A hero is an individual who others aspire to be. Beowulf would most definitely be put on a higher pedestal within the walls of the Heron Hall if he can demolish the monster who has been killing fifteen or more men a night. “Might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster.” (page 48, lines 265-269) All in all, a large motivation of Beowulf’s is to be a hero to the people who are in

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