Beowulf - A Medieval Hero Essay - 1903 Words

Day by day, individuals are faced with challenges that lead to extremes. People confront hurdles while achieving everything they are obligated to do. Every day, ordinary people are to some extent a hero. It is normal for people to face obstacles and barriers when performing their duty. But within those people, the ones that do not quit due to their frustration are the real heroes. What people today refer to when they think of hero is someone strong and brave who protects the feeble ones. It is true a hero must be stalwart and bold, for a medieval hero to be distinguished one must also overcome their fears in order to achieve success. By acting brave, not giving up, and having a realization a hero will be able to control his†¦show more content†¦He declares with poise and certainty that it is him the Danes want. As he says â€Å"Beowulf is my name† (Beowulf line 343) the introduction follows a very arrogant and conceited attitude. Further into the quote, it states â €Å"resolute in his helmet† to show the great determination he has within himself. An interesting point to make is that the author might have deliberately connected the word â€Å"resolute† and â€Å"helmet† together to show how Beowulf’s willpower was up in his mind, which happens to be under his helmet. As Beowulf continues his grand entrance, he says he shall meet the King of the Danes. Beowulf speaks with a teasing manner. His deliberate word choices like â€Å"renowned† disrespect the king. Beowulf has a false reverence as he says he would approach the king graciously. It is as if he wants the appreciation from the Danes. Beowulf gives the impression that the Danes should be lucky to have him. Just as he says he wants to report his errand, the word â€Å"report† has a firm grip to it. The expression correlates to Beowulf’s fixed decision. His rock-solid resolution is a convincing evidence of him stepping out of his comfort zone and putting aside all his fear and feeble emotions. Another example of a medieval hero who does not give up on their duty by overcoming this fear and hardship is Sir Gawain. â€Å"And the loss of my life would be least of any.† (SirShow MoreRelatedAn Analysis of Beowulf1608 Words   |  6 PagesThe Old English epic Beowulf is built around the archetype of the journeying hero. Beowulf exemplifies a classical he ro, one who is not immune from hubris, but who channels his strong will into judicious endeavors. Thus, Beowulf dies with the honor and glory befitting a king. His story is one of distinct binaries between good and evil. On the side opposite to Beowulfs goodness is the gruesome Grendel. Grendel is a monster, and the original epic poem does nothing to introduce moral ambiguity thatRead MoreBeowulf : A Medieval Plot Twist867 Words   |  4 PagesAnita Kay O?Pry-Reynolds H. Zengos Eng 561 19 January 2016 Beowulf: A Medieval Plot Twist. Beowulf encapsulates all the requirements that modern readers have come to expect of a medieval hero. He is loyal, brave, pious, what stubborn while at the same time he displays traits that represent the anti-hero. He exemplifies both the hero and the anti-hero. Beowulf truly is something for everyone. The epic poem bearing the name of the erstwhile hero is the bellwether for epic poetry; it and Homer?s worksRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1020 Words   |  5 Pagestranslated by Marie Borroff, and Beowulf, from Beowulf translated by Burton Raffel, serve as heroes in different times of Medieval English Literature. Many of the basic principles that describe heroes in Medieval Literature are seen in both of these characters even though they were written in different times. There are distinct similarities, differences, and also a progression of what the hero was in English literature, between Sir Gawain and Beowulf. Sir Gawain and Beowulf both represent the greatestRead MoreBeowulf And Viking Qualities During The Medieval Times1224 Words   |  5 Pages Beowulf and Viking qualities During the medieval times Vikings were known as warriors or heroes. These heroes were known mostly for their superhuman strength. Most stories tell the journey of these warriors and how they are honored after defeating an evil creature. A prime example of this would be the poem of â€Å"Beowulf†. Beowulf is known for his superhuman strength as the Vikings or warriors once were. However, Vikings were not only known for their physical qualities, they were also known for theirRead MoreA Realistic Twist on an Ancient Myth Essay1155 Words   |  5 Pagesago peasants and kings alike were drawn to the epic and often-heroic tales told by bards. Much like the modern audiences of movies today, these often-fantasized tales captivated their listeners and gave a microscopic glimpse into the culture of the medieval period. Today, there is no doubt that 21st century America is a vast and very divergent world than that of the writers of early British literature. However, nearly a thousand ye ars after the original stories were written, American culture is stillRead MoreLiterary Works Based On War And Heroism1003 Words   |  5 PagesInstructor Lovoy English 271 June 22, 2015 In reading The Iliad and Beowulf, one can conclude they are both literary works based on war and heroism. The hero in the Iliad is Achilles, who is from Greece and is the Archaen army’s greatest warrior in the battle of the Trojan war. Beowulf, a Geatish warrior has come to help the Danes in their long fight against Grendel, showing his heroism. Both characters Achilles and Beowulf share some similar traits such as their thirst for glory, their abnormalRead MoreHeroism : Beowulf And Cuchallain928 Words   |  4 Pagesdisagree on who might qualify to be a hero. While a few people could qualify to be called a hero, many people have done some heroic things at some point in their life; Beowulf and Cuchallain demonstrated heroism through their actions. A hero in the medieval times is considered to be someone that is a noble character that fights for his honor or the honor of his kingdom or community and also someone that is willing to risk his or her life for the greater good. Be owulf was a brave man that volunteered toRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Dream Of The Rood, Beowulf, And The Canterbury Tales Essay1414 Words   |  6 Pagesinto its literature. The foundation of much British literature that integrated the convention of British civilization came during the Medieval Period. The Medieval stories of â€Å"The Dream of the Rood,† Beowulf, and The Canterbury Tales contained some of the British culture concerning gender, religion, and the view of heroes. One aspect of British culture of the Medieval times was the stereotypes of gender and certain expectations in gender roles. For example, the poet of â€Å"The Dream of the Rood† usedRead MoreA Summary of the Epic of Beowulf Essay1386 Words   |  6 Pages Beowulf is a story that takes place in medieval Europe, the main part of the story is about a knight, Beowulf, who has to fight evil creatures such as a dragon. No one is exactly sure who wrote Beowulf, Paleographers believe that the soul surviving manuscript was copied down in the late tenth century or early eleventh. This early copy of Beowulf is still around today. This single manuscript can be found in the British Library in London. Scholars believe that the story itself was written betweenRead MoreEpic of Beowulf Essay740 Words   |  3 PagesThe characters Oedipus and Beowulf represent two different types of heroes. Oedipus is a tragic hero and characterized by its standards. He was an influential man of stature who had a tragic flaw. While he contributed to his own downfall, Oedipus was not entirely responsible for it. He also learned a lesson from his mistakes which ultimately creates a catharsis in the reading audience. Beowulf, on the other hand, is characterized by the standards of an epic hero. He strives for excellence