Beowulf is not only brave and strong; he is also a talented warrior. He is noble and wants to do the right thing, which is to use his heroic strength to help King Hrothgar, further proving his status as an epic hero. - Character Traits & Analysis, Grendel's Battle with Beowulf: Character & Summary, CLEP American Literature: Study Guide & Test Prep Course, CAHSEE English Exam: Test Prep & Study Guide, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Language: Standards, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Literature: Standards, Common Core ELA - Writing Grades 11-12: Standards, Common Core ELA - Speaking and Listening Grades 9-10: Standards, Common Core ELA - Language Grades 11-12: Standards, Study.com ACT® Test Prep: Practice & Study Guide, Study.com SAT Test Prep: Practice & Study Guide, Study.com PSAT Test Prep: Practice & Study Guide, Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading (5713) Prep, Christianity in Beowulf: Themes & Examples, Beowulf Lesson for Kids: Story, Summary & Facts, Beowulf Pride Quotes: Examples & Analysis, Time Period of Beowulf: Historical Background, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Beowulf, who was established Geatish warrior that spent his life in battle, showed these extraordinary characteristics that made him an epic hero, one who possesses superhuman, almost god-like qualities. However, as the reader, and the interpreter, I am asked to explain how Beowulf portrays the qualities of an archetypal epic hero. The narrator seems to present Grendel as a representation of evil in the abstract. where does Grendel mother live? Beowulf receives Hrothgars gratitude with modesty, expressing disappointment that he did not kill Grendel in the hall so that all could have seen the demons corpse. Focusing the readers attention on the great epic poem Beowulf, an unknown author, introduces the image of the tremendous Anglos-Saxon epic hero,Beowulf. He is even pained when Unferth recounts the tale and implies that Beowulf lost the challenge to Breca. why do you think the Geats want the Danes to see the monsters skull? He kills Grendel with his bare hands. An epic poem is a long poetic work often written in elevated language. Support your opinion with evidence from the poem. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Beowulf displays a number of important characteristics, including bravery, intelligence, initiative, concern for other people, loyalty to his superiors, loyalty to God, humility, and, of course . Bravery and extreme physical strength are both common traits in epic heroes. Beowulf as an Epic Hero - Phdessay 99 lessons In this epic, the main character, Beowulf, faces many horrendous monsters. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He is very brave and courageous. He showed his strength with every decision he made. He takes on challenges and sacrifices himself to protect his people. However, many epic heroes, especially those from Greek and Roman mythology, have a serious tragic flaw that eventually results in the hero's catastrophic downfall. What qualities does Beowulf display in this second battle? The most important Beowulf characters are Beowulf himself, who is the hero and one of the Geats, a group from what is now Sweden; Hrothgar, king of the Danes; and Wiglaf, a warrior and close friend of Beowulf's. Yet, it doesnt deter him from giving his all in his encounters with humans and monsters. These are just some of the characteristics associated with epic heroes, in addition to traveling vast distances and being extremely brave. Does the behavior of Grendel's mother seem as wicked or unreasonable as Grendel's behavior? After reading of his battles, his character displays great acts of courage, intelligence, and strength, while warriors revel as Beowulf defeats the creatures. We know of his exploits through. Characteristics of Beowulf as a Tragic Hero, Bravery in Beowulf | Examples, Heroism & Rewards, Beowulf Strength Quotes: Examples & Analysis, Heorot in Beowulf | Significance & Cultural Analysis, Quotes About Bravery in Beowulf | Importance, Examples & Analysis. What qualities does Beowulf display in this second battle? Support your opinion with evidence from the poem. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. On the basis of your reading of Beowulf, what qualities or values do you think the Anglo-Saxons admired? In the beginning of the story, young Prince Beowulf answers a plea for help from King Hrothgar in Denmark. Grendel and his mother may represent the evils of life in this culture. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Iron Man is one example of a modern day epic hero. | 3 Beowulfs bravery was on display once again during the second battle with the mother of Nightstalker where the epic hero swims the dark waters full of monsters looking for the Grendels mother. She is seeking revenge. (c) In what ways is the emotional content of these poems similar? She has been teaching English in Canada and Taiwan for seven years. Just like the Nightstalkers mother, our epic hero follows the dragon to its home and kills it there with the help of his loyal warrior Wiglaf. His battle versus Grendel, who was known as mankinds enemy (L.79), he demonstrates his strength in a number of ways. what qualities does Beowulf display in the second battle? Quick Answer: What Does The Character Beowulf Represent He shows his heroism over and over again in his battles with the monsters. His desire for protecting people drives him to pursue the monster to her lair where he slays her to prevent her from coming back to hunt the Danes. Abandoned as a baby by his parents King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes, Oedipus is fated to kill his father and marry his mother. However, his desire to protect lives results in a mortal wound he suffers at the hands of the dragon which leads to his death. Just as Grendel's mother took Aeschere's head, Beowulf takes Grendel's. Who is Beowulf and what is Beowulf about? PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Fatally wounded, Grendel slinks back to his swampy home to die. Some translations of the poem refer to him as a ''giant'' (Headley), while Seamus Heaney's version of the same passage 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'' (lines 247-250). Beowulf is handsomely rewarded by the King of the Danes and leaves but returns when he learns that the mother of the Nightstalker had come for revenge. Beowulf is widely-regarded as the most honorable and ruthless hero in all of the world; he defends villages of people from blood-hungry predators, defeats sea monsters, and defeats Grendel and Grendels mother in the epic poem Beowulf. Though Beowulf loves glory, he also desires to keep people safe and monsters at bay as he demonstrates to the Beowulf main characters. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. He seems to be an incarnation of evil created by the human conscience. He has few character flaws, but his biggest and fatal flaw is his hubris. Beowulfs Last Battle: Why Is It the Most Important? Beowulf is able to defeat evil in the form of Grendel and Grendel's mother, yet he loses his life. what qualities of an "epic hero" does he embody? Meg has taught language arts in middle school, high school and college. Beowulf establishes himself as a hero by fighting the dragon, exemplifing strength and courage when fighting the dragon, and sacrificing himself so that others can live. In the modern world, people continue to value fictional heroes such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, to name a few. He has horrible claws and teeth. Beowulf - Wikipedia . Beowulf Hero Characteristics | What Makes Beowulf a Hero? It is his search for the glory that lands him in the Kingdom of the Danes and accepts the challenge to slay the Nightstalker. Beowulf, Prince of the Geats, has many fine qualities. What qualities does beowulf display in the second battle? (b) courage, strength, perseverance. succeed. Beowulf was written by the Anglo Saxons by an unknown author. I feel like its a lifeline. People also asked Grendel snatched at the first Geat,He came to, ripped him apart, cutHis body to bits with powerful jaws,Drank the blood from his veins and boltedHim down, hands and feet; deathAnd Grendel's great teeth came together,Snapping life shut. Beowulf Part 2: Summary & Analysis - Video & Lesson Transcript - Study.com He decides that he wants it to be a hand-to-hand battle, turning it into an act of strength and courage. Wiglaf, Beowulf's companion and kinsman, remains by his side. Throughout the history of mankind there have been many books and stories written which preview a hero doing dangerous, epic deeds for the good of others. does the behavior of Grendel mother seem as wicked or as reasonable as Grendel behavior? Beowulfs men heroically hack at the demon as Beowulf fights with him, but no weapon on earth is capable of harming Grendel. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. cocky, superhuman strength, man, noble birth. He is murderous. Analyzes how beowulf has come to terms with . defeating grendel's dam was an important battle for him. In his final battle, he still kills the dragon, even though it kills him. The King agreed and paid a ransom that allowed Ecgtheow to return home. What details reveal the importance of pagan values? In the epic poem, Beowulf, the central character Beowulf demonstrates qualities of a hero, such as bravery, loyalty, and strength. Her "hall" is inaccessible to society. This excessive pride is what led him to keep fighting in his old age, bringing on his defeat and death with his final battle. She has a doctorate in Educational leadership. what has Beowulf metaphorically restored? The poem highlights the many values that characterized Anglo-Saxon society and contain timeless lessons that are appropriate for every culture. In the epic, Beowulf, the main character himself shows many qualities that defines him as an epic hero. He takes on the responsibility of protecting his people by battling the evil monster. Why does Grendels mother take back Grendels arm? (personality, beliefs, looks, accomplishments, etc.) He showed his strength with every decision he made. Jon Snow is a popular character from the TV show "Game of Thrones," based on . This hero essay will dissect Beowulfs characteristics with evidence and draw lessons we can learn from the epic hero. His men have been mentored by Beowulf for a long time, typically theyve grown to think like him. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. why do you thin Beowulf offers to help a tribe other than his own, in spite of the daughters? Many of us enjoy the tales of epic heroes in today's popular fiction. According to the Beowulf summary, he is endowed with the strength of thirty in the grip of each hand. describe the battle between Beowulf and Grendel mother. The Pit and the Pendulum/Vocab Study Guide. Why does Beowulf insist upon fighting Grendel without weapons? what does Beowulf speech reveal about his character? The second battle in Beowulf was one that was brought about by Beowulf's willingness to go and help an old friend. his amazing strength and craziness because he stay. Why do you think Beowulf offers to help a tribe other than his own, in spite of the danger? Beowulf's tragic flaw is his excessive self-pride or arrogance, also called hubris. The Beowulf poets description of the scop, or bard, who sings Beowulfs praises after the defeat of Grendel shows that he clearly values good workmanship, both in objects and in poetry. Mortally wounded, Grendel returns to his swamp and dies. He died saving everyone in Denmark from the horrific demons who lurked about. succeed. Grendel's mother then arrives to avenge her son's death and Beowulf must go and defeat her as well. Christopher Reeves once said, A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Although Beowulf was human, he was not an ordinary individual, hero, or king, for he was a man who displayed superhuman qualities in his efforts to protect the Danish and Geatish people. Beowulf shows more of his lust for power side when he fight with Grendel's mother, he also shows his willingness to help an old friend.