Beowulf
Attaining glory before death is a true warrior's ultimate pursuit. In the medieval epic Beowulf, our larger-than-life hero will not let any barrier stand in the way of his quest. Evil, hell-bent monsters descended from Cain and fire-breathing dragons don't intimidate him. Beowulf's friends advise him to not always go looking for trouble, but he disregards them. The only thing that matters to Beowulf is achieving immortality by laying his enemies to rest. Beowulf's egocentric quest for glory results in the death of himself and his people. Therefore, fate in Beowulf acts as the enforcer of justice - rightful deeds are rewarded while improper actions are punished.Beowulf's first challenge is to defeat Grendel, a "fiend out of hell." (100) Every night, Grendel mercilessly attacks "a company of the best" sleeping in the legendary mead-hall Heorot, "insensible to pain / and human sorrow." (118 -120) Beowulf hears the horrific stories about Grendel, and sails across the sea to Heorot with his best warriors at his side. Even before seeing Grendel with his own eyes, Beowulf arrogantly asserts,"When it comes to fighting, I count myself / as dangerous any day as Grendel. / So it won't be a cutting edge I'll wield / to mow him dow
Thus fate in Beowulf demonstrates that the actions of one man can yield any result from great rewards to death. Part of being a good leader is looking into the future not just for yourself, but for your people. / But I shall be meeting molten venom / in the fire he breathes, so I go forth / in a mail-shirt and shield. This lasts only until evil clouds his mind in the form of pride. " (1259, 1277-1278) Her thirst for revenge comes as no surprise - what mother would not want retribution for the death of her son? However, Beowulf killing Grendel was completely justifiable - Grendel had been wreaking havoc in Denmark for years, killing innocent people for his own personal pleasure. Beowulf's "courage was proven, his glory secure. " (2532 - 2537) Beowulf forgets the wise advice that Hrothgar gave him long ago, and his only concern is to die a warrior's death. " (856) Hrothgar proclaimed "you have made yourself immortal / by your glorious action. It is always better / To avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning. The whole world / conforms to his will, he is kept from the worst / until an element of overweening / enters him and takes hold / while the soul's guard, its sentry, drowses, / grown too distracted. Beowulf returns home and rules peacefully as king for fifty years, until a dragon starts destroying his kingdom. (121) Grendel deserved to die, because he had been senselessly killing innocent men at Heorot for 12 years. " (2813 - 2816) The aftermath of Beowulf's narrow-minded quest for glory is clearly apparent now. Beowulf's sword snaps as he valiantly fights the dragon, and he is mortally bitten on the neck.
Common topics in this essay:
Heremod Indulges,
,
Aeschere Hrothgar's,
Franks Frisians,
Hrothgar Danes,
Grendel God-cursed,
Waegmundings Fate,
Heorot Beowulf's,
Hrothgar Beowulf,
Danes Hrothgar,
grendel's mother,
quest glory,
beowulf forgets wise,
takes hold,
wide /,
beowulf arrogantly,
world /,
gone /,
killing innocent,
fate beowulf,
forgets wise advice,
wise advice hrothgar,
hrothgar proclaimed,
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Acceptance Essays
