Beowulf: The Fight with Himself
Nikki Smalls
Mr.Walpole
Honors English 4
14 Oct. 2012
Beowulf V. Himself Ever wonder if a hero really is a hero by heart? Who actually does good deeds to be the protector and only protects the people? The character Beowulf, who is a Geat in the story Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel plays the role of a hero; but is he really this innocent hero? Beowulf comes to protect the Danes by fighting evil monsters. Beowulf is a very boastful man filled with a lot of pride and energy. He loves to brag, and this journey he has to take shows how he really is. While Beowulf makes references, he actually believes in free will because of his arrogance, isolation/his ability to do things, and his desire of fame. Beowulf is a very self-applauding man, who lets his arrogance show who he really is. When Beowulf received the message of fighting a monster for the Danes, he was more than happy to do it. Why; because Beowulf is always bragging about how he can do this and that. So taking this quest would be a great opportunity for Beowulf’s ego to lift even more. Beowulf always has stories he tells about the many monsters he fought and how no man can do what he does. “No man swims in the sea/ As I can, no strength is a match for mine” (30.6.266-267). This quote explains the strong seas he can swim in and no man can swim in the seas as he can. Beowulf really believes he is this god that can do things that many men can not. The mentality Beowulf has is overly confident. He is overly confident of doing certain things that he feels not even the bravest man can achieve. “Lucky or not, nine was the number/ Of sea-huge monsters I killed. What man, / Anywhere under Heaven’s high arch, has fought/ In such darkness, endured more misery, or been harder/ Pressed? Yet I survived the sea, smashed/ The monsters’ hot jaws, swam home from my journey.” (31-32.7.307-312). Beowulf believes that he can literally do what he sets his mind to. This shows proof that Beowulf does not really want to
Mr.Walpole
Honors English 4
14 Oct. 2012
Beowulf V. Himself Ever wonder if a hero really is a hero by heart? Who actually does good deeds to be the protector and only protects the people? The character Beowulf, who is a Geat in the story Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel plays the role of a hero; but is he really this innocent hero? Beowulf comes to protect the Danes by fighting evil monsters. Beowulf is a very boastful man filled with a lot of pride and energy. He loves to brag, and this journey he has to take shows how he really is. While Beowulf makes references, he actually believes in free will because of his arrogance, isolation/his ability to do things, and his desire of fame. Beowulf is a very self-applauding man, who lets his arrogance show who he really is. When Beowulf received the message of fighting a monster for the Danes, he was more than happy to do it. Why; because Beowulf is always bragging about how he can do this and that. So taking this quest would be a great opportunity for Beowulf’s ego to lift even more. Beowulf always has stories he tells about the many monsters he fought and how no man can do what he does. “No man swims in the sea/ As I can, no strength is a match for mine” (30.6.266-267). This quote explains the strong seas he can swim in and no man can swim in the seas as he can. Beowulf really believes he is this god that can do things that many men can not. The mentality Beowulf has is overly confident. He is overly confident of doing certain things that he feels not even the bravest man can achieve. “Lucky or not, nine was the number/ Of sea-huge monsters I killed. What man, / Anywhere under Heaven’s high arch, has fought/ In such darkness, endured more misery, or been harder/ Pressed? Yet I survived the sea, smashed/ The monsters’ hot jaws, swam home from my journey.” (31-32.7.307-312). Beowulf believes that he can literally do what he sets his mind to. This shows proof that Beowulf does not really want to