Preview

Bravery In Beowulf's Justice

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
502 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Bravery In Beowulf's Justice
Beowulf will fight to the death for anyone who serves him justice. Beowulf is a regular guy who rolls the streets looking for a fight. He is not afraid to fight anyone who challenges him. In the end of this epic poem he becomes a hero. He also becomes a king in the end because of his mighty fight with the dragon. In the epic poem, Beowulf has soldiers, and his men show loyalty; Beowulf is fearless because he never backs down from a fight and always shows bravery. Beowulf shows bravery from the time he fought the mighty Dragon when all left him. He will not back down from the Dragon even if his men do not show bravery. Beowulf will do anything to win because he is not afraid. While fighting the great Dragon, he was struggling, but he never quit. "Beowulf rose, still brave, and a mail shirt on his breast" (Beowulf 688-689). This shows that even though the Dragon was greater than Beowulf, he still rose to bravery. Bravery mirrored what Beowulf had against the mighty Dragon. …show more content…
Most battles are fought out of fear, but not Beowulf's. Under no circumstance will Beowulf have fear in his eyes. For his soldiers he will not show mercy to any of his components because he knows not what fear is. In greatness, Beowulf will do all that serves in fearlessness. Being fearless is what Beowulf represents for himself and for them who follows him. "In his fierce grip. Let me live in greatness/ And courage, or he in the hall welcome/ My death" (Beowulf 368-370). This shows that Beowulf is fearless in any fight. Seeing how Beowulf will fight to his death honers what he has taught and represented for his
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Essay Comparing Beowulf And Achilles
    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Essay Comparing Beowulf And Achilles

    Beowulf, in the reader’s perspective is a very strong and noble man. As the poem says, “Nor have I seen a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken, he is truly noble. There is mere hanger-on in a hero’s armour.” (244-251). He is noble because he knows his possible consequence of fighting but does not fear death. Beowulf…

    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing Beowulf 'And Sir Gawain'
    • 419 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Comparing Beowulf 'And Sir Gawain'

    Beowulf even defeated a dragon in his old age now that portrays power. Finally, Sir Gawain from Sir Gawain and the green knight. This depicts a knight who took a challenge that at face value, seemed like an easy win but, when the impossible became possible he did not waver. This quote that can be used to explain the courage it took for him to win at his challenge,” Sir Gawain laid hold is axe and lifted it high into the air…and then swiftly he slashed the naked neck.”(Pearl poet 161).To be able to do that without any hesitation requires intense courage sure what happened after that separates the men from the Hero’s. The person who had his head liberated from his shoulders got up picked up his head and walked up to do the same to Sir Gawain but he did not blink and through his courage his finished the challenge triumphant. Without the ideas of heroism these characters be it there will, power, or courage would have been extremely different if the even existed at…

    • 419 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Super Human Courage In Beowulf
    • 335 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Super Human Courage In Beowulf

    Beowulf as an epic poem consists of deeds of great valon on super human courage. The epic poem demonstrates super human courage in numerous situations and events in this story. In the coming of Beowulf he was watched after being dripped with his enemies blood. Driving five giants into chains and chasing all race from the earth, he swam in the darkness of the night. This could only be done by Beowulf because all he has is super human courage to…

    • 335 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: Strength, Bravery, And Determination
    • 274 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf: Strength, Bravery, And Determination

    Beowulf was one of the bravest of his time. Vehemently going into battle, horror and death were only a few things he had to face just to save people in mortal danger. " I shall win the gold…

    • 274 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    What Are Beowulf's Character Traits
    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages

    What Are Beowulf's Character Traits

    Beowulf also has the character trait of bravery. He goes before all others when things go bad. He would rather risk his own life, than to see someone else risk theirs. He asked a favor to the ruler…

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Archetype In Beowulf
    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Archetype In Beowulf

    The plot in Beowulf follows the archetypal structure of a Hero overcoming all enemies until he meets his match but still dies a Hero: Beowulf defeats his enemies Grendel, then Grendel’s Mother, then must kill the dragon and in doing so, sacrifices his own life for his people. In true hero fashion, Beowulf fights the dragon alone, knowing he will die, “ he had scant regard for the dragon as a threat, no dread at all of its courage or strength, for he had kept going often in the past, through perils and ordeals of every sort, he had purged Hrothgar’s hall, triumphed in Heorot and beaten Grendel. He outgrappled the monster and his evil kin”. The quote outlines the Hero’s past triumphs and characteristically gallant outlook on the challenge ahead- the dragon Beowulf should fear, but does not. The archetypal plot structure transcends from the original to the translation, as it does through much literature in human…

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf's Heroic Qualities
    • 433 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf's Heroic Qualities

    One heroic quality that Beowulf possesses is courage. Beowulf shows courage through the entire story. The fact he even decided to come help the danes proves this quality. There were many other ways that showed this as well: fighting grendel, taking on his mother, fighting the dragon, etc. One specific example of Beowulf displaying courage…

    • 433 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Valor Character Analysis
    • 455 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf Valor Character Analysis

    In the story of Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, possesses great amounts of courage, valor, and bravery in which all of these are used to overcome great feats. Beowulf shows courage by talking on the monster Grendel with only his bare hands. “The monsters flight, fastened those claws in his fist till they cracked.” Reference to page 49, lines: 330-340, 360-380. He shows valor by putting himself forward to take on the monster and not backing down from a challenge. “Then he saw the mighty water witch and swung his sword, his ring marked blade, straight at her head.” Reference to page 52, lines: 491-500, 530-540, 555-564. Lastly, he shows bravery when he goes in after the dragon even when he knows he is too old. “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I…

    • 455 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hero and Essay 1-beowulf
    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hero and Essay 1-beowulf

    Being courageous is one of the first qualities that sets a hero apart from a common human being. Being courageous means to stand up to adversity without fear, to continue to forge on regardless of the daunting things one faces. Beowulf was not shy about showing his courage. When he hears of Grendal’s torment to Hrothgar’s kingdom, Beowulf races to their aid. He does not hesitate when he asks permission of Hrothgar to slay Grendal. He knows thus far, they have been unable to defeat the demon. When Grendal comes to the kingdom that same night, Beowulf, using no weapons other than his bare hands, looks -Grendal in the eyes and rips off his arm, causing him to be mortally wounded. (Lines 750-820) This passage of Beowulf is a great example of what it means to be…

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    How Does Beowulf Show Courage
    • 353 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How Does Beowulf Show Courage

    The true strength lies not within the number or quantity, but within every desire and dedication of one’s heart. The present time needs heroes, heroes that will show true strength and courage. Courage that will lead this lost generation for a change. Each day every one of us faces different problems. Problems that will test our strength and willingness. Do what others cannot, what others will not even against the odd. If it is the desire of your heart and blessed by morality.…

    • 353 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Who Is The Dragon In Beowulf
    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Who Is The Dragon In Beowulf

    “I’ve never known fear; as a youth I fought, In endless battles. I am old, now, But I will fight again, seek fame still, If the dragon hiding in his tower dares To face me.” Line 2511-2515 Page 103 It is true that Beowulf considers the glory and the spoils to the victor are the goals, but he relies on his old youthful ways of preparing for a fight. Still, Beowulf, however he chooses to prepare, realizes he is older and perhaps not as ready to battle. “The noble prince would end his days on earth, soon. Would leave this brief life, but would take the dragon.” Line 2341-2342 Page 97 Although, he see the spoils of the battle, for Beowulf it is simply a mechanism to do battle. Beowulf is simply gearing up, posturing if you will, and using his old ways to conjure up the strength, that he knows his is lacking, to defeat the dragon. In the end, the hero’s life will come to end and to give his life, slaying the dragon, in an effort to protect his kingdom, pales in comparison to the riches of the dragon’s lair and is the most courageous and noble of…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf's Accomplishments
    • 387 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf's Accomplishments

    Beowulf is definitely a very courageous man. While being a leader of the Geats and protecting the land, he shows bravery throughout the epic poem. Beowulf’s motivation was not to kill Grendel, a demon descended from Cain, but to only build up his reputation. He shows bravery specifically during three accomplishments during the epic poem.…

    • 387 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: Bravery Vs. Fear And Religion
    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf: Bravery Vs. Fear And Religion

    In the story Beowulf there is many themes that are going on in the story. One that stands out is Heroism, because Beowulf was willing to sacrifice his life to please the king. Beowulf felt the need to help the king because of their past history. The king wanted Grendal dead so that is what Beowulf did. Beowulf has been in so many past fights that he is not afraid to fight one more battle. “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old now But I will still fight again seek fame still. If the dragons hiding in the tower to face me” (606-611). Beowulf is getting older and older he is not afraid to fight Grendal and if it is his last he…

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Why Is Beowulf Be Considered An Epic Hero
    • 1031 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Why Is Beowulf Be Considered An Epic Hero

    If a person does not risk death for their society, they will not be considered a hero; one will be considered as just an ordinary person. However, Beowulf proves that he is not just an ordinary person when he performs brave deeds and is faced with death on numerous accounts for the good of his people. Beowulf faces Grendel, a man-eating monster; Grendel’s mother, a water witch; and the dragon, a hot breath and poisonous creature. When Beowulf faces Grendel’s mother in lines 620-623 “And in an instant she had him down, held helpless. / Squatting with her weight on his stomach, she drew / A dagger, brown with dried blood and prepared / To avenge her only son” he sees death right before him. He keeps fighting because in lines 683-684 Beowulf says “No man but me / Could hope to defeat this monster”. When Beowulf faced the dragon in lines 718-722 “The monster came quickly toward him, / Pouring out fire and smoke, hurrying / To its fate. Flames beat at the iron / Shield, and for a time it held, protected / Beowulf as he’d planned; then it began to melt” Beowulf’s life flashes before his eyes again when he realizing that the shield is not going to hold up, and he will die from the dragon. Beowulf upholds the ideals of the Anglo-Saxon society; courage, loyalty, and honor throughout the entire literature of…

    • 1031 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf
    • 785 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf

    Courage is essential to any hero. Beowulf demonstrates no shortage of bravery-this is apparent throughout the entire text. The example of Beowulf fighting the fearsome Grendel with no weapon is one of many; he also travels, alone, to the lake-bottom lair of Grendel's mother and defeats her in short order. At the end of the poem, he comes up against a fire-breathing dragon and slays the beast, even as it mortally wounds him in the process. This streak of courage is best exemplified, I believe, in this seemingly-inconsequential quote: "Beowulf got ready, donned his war-gear, indifferent to death.". Does death not lie at the root of all fear? Do we not shrink from darkness, from poison, from gunfire, because we fear death? And Beowulf, as the poet says, is indifferent to life's only certainty. He rides into battle with no fear, supremely confident in himself and his abilities. This is true courage: the ability to stand up to overwhelming odds with perseverance and determination.…

    • 785 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics