Examples Of Courage In Beowulf

Words: 964
Pages: 4
Open Document
What is courage? Courage is the ability to do something that frightens one or a strength in the face of pain or grief. Courage was recorded in Beowulf, documented by an anonymous source, at almost every turn. From his battle with Grendel to the fight with the dragon Beowulf has needed his courage in his youth to his old age. “As an old man past his physical prime, Beowulf does not shirk his duties as leader and protector of his people. He knows the odds are not in his favor but he is chooses to face the dragon alone.” Beowulf was said to be the strongest man of his time period. Along with his strength came a sense of pride and courage. In another kingdom an evil being was killing off the citizens and the king had no idea of how to stop it, …show more content…
Beowulf knows he must save his people, but is not strong enough to do it alone and asked his most trusted friends to help him fight the beast. The men travel to the lair of the dragon and before they go inside Beowulf states “I’d use no sword, no weapon, if this beast/ could be killed without it, crushed to death” (613-614). Here he shows courage and smarts because he knows he can not face the dragon alone or without a weapon. The dragon can breath fire, if it can have that then he should have a weapon. As Beowulf walks over to the opening in the caves the story says “ Beowulf rose, still brave, still strong,/” “ no coward could have walked there” (633- 636). As the battle started the dragon used his breath and Beowulf’s shield held until it started to melt. Then Beowulf used his sword to cut the dragon but it broke. “ a king before, but now/ A beaten warrior. None of his comrades/ Came to him, helped him, his brave and noble/ Followers; they ran for their lives ,” (690-693). Beowulf had courage even when there was no one would help him and he knew he was too old for defeating this dragon. Only one of Beowulf’s followers came to his rescue, Wiglaf, but it was too late to save Beowulf because he had been mortally wounded. Wiglaf showed a great deal of courage and loyalty to help Beowulf defeat the
Show More

Related Documents: Examples Of Courage In Beowulf

Courage and Beowulf Essay examples

English 2322 15 June 2014 Beowulf’s Death Explication The epic poem “Beowulf” has an unexpected twist of plot when the main character – King Beowulf – dies with only one loyal man to defend him. This is unusual because Beowulf dedicated his life to guarding his kingdom and making sure his people were safe. He who was always responsible for the well being of others did not have the fortune of having a loyal army to support him. There are three possible reasons for this lonely death, this might…

Words 606 - Pages 3

Beowulf Hero Quotes

them as heroes. Such traits can be strength, courage, wits, fearlessness, and so forth. Beowulf is a hero because he contains at least three of the common heroic qualities, which include immense strength, courage, and wits. Beowulf is a hero because he has is abnormally strong like many other conventional heroes, such as Hercules. An example of Beowulf’s strength can be seen in his fight with Gretel when he killed him and tore off his arm. In Beowulf it states, “Soon then saw that shepherd-of-evils…

Words 534 - Pages 3

Beowulf And Anglo Saxon Culture

In class we’ve been reading beowulf and learned what the Anglo Saxon is. The Anglo Saxon Culture isnpeople from Germanic tribes who migrated to the island from continental Europe british groups who adopted some aspects of anglo saxon culture and language. In this case the Anglo Saxon culture is present in the story “Beowulf” in ways that include displays of strength, courage, and honor of early epic traditions. The story “Beowulf” is a tale about his heroic feats and epic battles. Throughout…

Words 336 - Pages 2

Anglo Saxon Unit Essay

Hero of the Anglo-Saxon Period Beowulf shows what qualities an Anglo-Saxon hero must have and the most important characteristics would be strength and courage and you cannot have one without the other. A hero cannot fight with only strength because he will surely lose. A man can have courage, but what damage will you do if you're weak and cannot back yourself up. Although it doesnt only take strength and courage to be an Anglo-Saxon hero, it takes much more for example, humility, loyalty, tactful and…

Words 1310 - Pages 6

Beowulf Achilles Comparison

In the reading 'Beowulf' there were many things going on. The main character in this poem is Beowulf, in the beginning of this poem, it starts off with a weary situation of the monster Grendel he has a lot of strength and courage to do pretty much anything. Beowulf decides he should go to this town Grendel lives in because of what has happened over the past 12 years. Grendel has killed so many people that Beowulf chooses to change that and make this town better again. In the poem 'The Iliad' Achilles…

Words 488 - Pages 2

Heroism In The Epic Poem 'Beowulf'

Noemy Cazares Ms. Radovicich English IV 18 September 2017 Heroism Beowulf is an epic poem that was written during the 11th century. “Beowulf”, is the protagonist’s name whose actions define him as an epic hero. His qualities consist of his showing of bravery and responsibility. Bravery The text starts off introducing Beowulf as great warrior. “So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. We have heard of those princes’ heroic campaigns” (1). It presents…

Words 638 - Pages 3

Religion In Beowulf

Tori Garcia Lindquist-Bland AP Lit & Comp 11 September 2017 Beowulf Essay While reading Beowulf i found three things interesting, paganism, christianity and anglo-saxon. It is christianized when the narrator makes constant references about god, and it even talks about Cain and Abel. In the poem “Beowulf” eveything is wrapped around the idea of religion. In Beowulf it talks about God very often. As i read Beowulf most of the characters thanked God for their fate. This gives us a sense of christianity…

Words 396 - Pages 2

Bravery In Beowulf

provide examples and explain these two topics. In beowulf there are many ways he shows his bravery. He risks his life for his kingdom. He is also a strong responsible leader. He stepped up for his men and people to defeat the dragon. He sacrificed his own life so that his people could live in peace again. He has courage in the fact that when his men left him he is dying but sits and waits. He sits waiting awake in the dark to see what will happen or come to him. He is scared, but with his courage he…

Words 360 - Pages 2

Essay Comparing Beowulf And Judith

Beowulf and Judith Anglo-Saxon society idolized the idea of triumph over challenges that force the individual to cross the boundary of the ordinary into a path of righteousness and self cultivated couragement to fight for a causes that is bigger than life itself. They told these stories through ancient poems about heroes with godly courage and righteousness that can guarantee their legacy will live on and be admired by future generations when they heard tales about their life and the heroic deeds…

Words 627 - Pages 3

Examples Of Heroism In Beowulf

Beowulf promotes his role as a heroic protagonist by having the willingness to sacrifice his own life for the greater good. In doing this, Beowulf uses the characteristic such as bravery, honor, and superhuman physical strength to take down Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. A hero is someone who is looked up to for their courage, abilities, sacrifice, and noble qualities that are rare or not usually seen in others. Beowulf travels great distances and uses his own bare hands to defeat the…

Words 393 - Pages 2