Another similarity between the battles is that Beowulf is unable to defeat them with mortal weapons. In his battle against Grendal, he attempts to use the weapons from his men , but nothing harms Grendal, which forces Beowulf to fight him with his own hands. While fighting Grendal’s mother Beowulf attempts to use his sword, a mortal weapon, but it…
The last bell of the day rings, signifying that school is out. A girl, crouched in between a group of cute guys, slowly walks out of the classroom followed by a lonely girl desperately clutching at her school books to keep them from plunging to the floor. Outside as the popular girl waits for her ride home, still clasped between a sea of faces, she is slowly and unostentatiously confronted by the loner, tears streaming down her face, where she is shoved to the ground. The ruffian then runs off in a fit of panic .Not only is this scenario seen everywhere in the world, most people see it happen this way. What is it like to see this same scene from the bullies' perspective? The narrator of Beowulf and the character Grendel, in Gardner's Grendel, have totally different views of the same event. In Beowulf, the narrator tells the story in third person with Beowulf being the "good guy" and Grendel being the "bad guy" and vice versa in the story Grendel, told in first person with Grendel being the narrator. Furthermore, in most literature the author generally points out what is the "good" and what is the "bad", but after analyzing the different point of views in both Grendel and Beowulf, it is possible to see both sides…
During the first semester of English 12, the class read many great works of British literature like Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Le Mort D'Arthur. The one thing they all had in common was a Hero, a hero capable of accomplishing amazing feats of strength, bravery, cunning and intuition. In these stories, a hero was someone who couldn't be stopped by beast, nature nor man, someone who had the love of God by his side and everyone aspired to be. As John Green said, "reading is an act of empathy, the reason to read is to better understand ourselves and lives other than our own". Through this semester's reads, there's one thing that has become apparent, the world need heroes.…
Today heroes consist of superman, batman, Tom Cruises and Michael Jordans who are very different from Beowulf's time. Back then, heroes were kings and warriors who basically protected their people and country. The warriors were strong men who could physically make or prevent an attack in order to protect their country. The roles of the heroes have changed today, though people still aspire to be like them. Heroes today, just as in Beowulf's time, are made immortal by the written word. While in our day heroes do not literally fight Grendels or dragons, they figuratively fight these battles everyday. Beowulf fought Grendel for his own glory and it seems, more importantly, to make the lives…
A hero does something for the greater good of mankind. A hero is courageous and brave in any situation. Beowulf and Irena Sendler a social worker who smuggled over 2,500 Jewish out of harms way put their lives on the line to protect their mankind. While each warriors have their differences both believe in courage and triumphing over evil.…
Heroes, small or epic have had an impact on literature through the ages and have shaped classic Characters Such as Macduff from The Tragedy of Macbeth by Shakespeare, Beowulf from Beowulf, and Sir Gawain from Sir Gawain and the green knight by Pearl Poet; Going over parts of their stories might explain the influence heroism has had on literature from the past. First, MacDuff from the tragedy of Macbeth. MacDuff the mighty hero who stood up to their tyrant for his loved ones and for the country he loved. He led an army of ten thousand men to lay siege upon Macbeth’s castle this quote telling what he said to the tyrant right be for the final dual,” My voice is in my sword thou header villain…” (Shakespeare, 381).These words shows a Great will…
Beowulf has many heroic characteristics. When Beowulf went to the Land Of Danes, he went to kill Grendel. He didn't do it for the fame or the power. He wanted to kill him to help the Geats. He felt as if it was right, he says “They had in remembrance my courage and might. Many had seen me come safe from the conflict.” He never expected anything from anybody after anything he would do.…
Honor is trait of Beowulf that made him part of who he is. He would fight his opponents the way they fought him. Grendel, the monster of Herot, used his hands to fight. And that’s all, so Beowulf said (line 262) “That monster scorn of men is so great he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I. My lord, Higlac.”…
Beowulf, the best warrior in Geatland, fights numerous enemies for King Hrothgar and his people in Daneland. Monsters are no match for his strength and skill in battle. However, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought a different kind of battle, against racism on the other side of the world and in a different era. This leader of the civil rights movement had his hands full with this major problem. So how could these two people possibly be alike? Beowulf and Dr. King are similar because they are both loyal, courageous, and strong.…
Beowulf, an epic poem written in England in the 8th century, introduces us to a character known as Grendel, a vicious beast who terrorizes a village in Denmark. In 1971, an American author named John Gardner reintroduces the character, this time re-telling the story from the monster’s point of view. In both stories Grendel is portrayed in many similar, but also many different ways.…
myself) the pride of online fame. When assessing Beowulf's personality, we need to keep in mind the era Beowulf takes place in (a few hundred years A.D. or so). To appear weak, to appear soft-spoken, and to appear unimportant was social suicide, whether you actually were these things or not. For example, the old king, hindered by old age, loses a dangerous amount of moral from his people from allowing Grendel to attack the hall every night for twelve years.…
Beowulf fought monsters with his bare hands and a sword, unlike soldiers, they fight people with guns and lethals. Although they are both horrifying fights, it is still a huge difference. Also, after Beowulf defeated Grendel’s Mother, he was crowned king of the Geats. In America, we don’t crown our soldiers after winning a battle. Instead, we pay huge respect to the ones that risk their lives for us.…
Beowulf could of left Brecca stranded in the middle of the ocean to die but he didn’t. Beowulf stayed next to him the whole time and still killed off all the monsters on the way. Everyone thought that Brecca was so good but really Beowulf was better. Beowulf didn’t care about what everyone thought and he just went with it. Beowulf showed true friendship and didn’t swim off to leave him to die and suffer. Beowulf was always on the move and liked doing what he did. Beowulf was a good leader and showed bravery. Even when he was old, he still was killing off monsters like it was nothing. He had strength that nobody ever had. Being a hero is a great thing to be. You feel good about yourself and saving people's lives. He volunteered to kill grendel and even got a souvenir from him. He took down monsters like it was…
Beowulf grew up a fighter and knew he was destined for greatness in battle as one of the most supreme warriors to roam the mortal world. Beowulf was not fond of recognizing personal downfalls and weakness. Instead, he carried himself with confidence, a sense of swagger, and the heart of a lion. The hero of the time, was much more interested in fighting and building his individual reputation rather than taking over King Heardred’s throne. When the time comes where Beowulf is forced to step into the spotlight and become king, he does not just accept the normal responsibilities that come with being king. Beowulf takes the task by the horns, he doesn’t let his new duties blind…
The Anglo-Saxons were a warrior culture, and as such, they prized honor. Acting fairly and honorably in battle was a sought-after trait. Beowulf displays this trait several times throughout the course of the poem. The most notable instance is when he refuses to fight Grendel with a weapon, as Grendel has none. By fighting his opponent on the latter's terms, Beowulf consciously levels the…