British Literature Beowulf Character Assessment Beowulf Beowulf is an epic poem set in Scandinavia throughout the sixth century. This epic was initially handed down via generations in spoken kind by touring minstrels. It was lastly put in writing throughout the eleventh century. The poem displays the tradition of the time and the Anglo Saxon period. Beowulf is well-known in Nice Britain as a hero and nice warrior. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the Anglo-Saxon warrior code which embrace braveness, confidence, and delight. Beowulf is a really brave character and recounts his acts of braveness to each one who will hear.
Within the poem Beowulf tells of his earlier brave actions in destroying a tribe of giants, defeating sea monsters within the evening and getting back from battle lined in his enemies blood. Beowulf has come to King Hrothgar to combat an ogre. A monster that has introduced distress and demise to the Danes for a few years. This ogre, Grendel, killed thirty of Hrothgar’s males and precipitated the good mead corridor of Herot to be closed. Beowulf tells King Hrothgar “the monster’s scorn of males Is so nice that he wants no weapons and fears none.
Nor will I” (traces 262-264) Due to this fact Beowulf intends to combat the Grendel with out his armor or his sword. Beowulf could also be so brave as a result of he believes so strongly in destiny shaping his successes prior to now. Beowulf believes that whether it is his destiny to win in opposition to Grendel then he’ll win. Whether it is his destiny to die throughout the combat then that’s simply as God plans it to be. He tells the King that “my arms Alone shall combat for me, battle for all times In opposition to the monster. God should resolve Who will likely be given to demise’s chilly grip”(traces. 267-269). Beowulf will settle for demise whether it is his destiny. Beowulf does combat Grendel and wins.
Then Beowulf should combat Grendel’s mom who’s looking for revenge for her son’s demise. These battles are described intimately as brutal and savage. Beowulf kills each monsters regardless of their energy and demonic powers. When Beowulf returns to the king holding Grendel’s head as a trophy his braveness awes everybody in attendance. Beowulf may be very assured in his capability to defeat anybody or something he fights. His nice bodily energy and monumental measurement contribute to his being seen as a assured warrior. His recounting of his success in earlier battles reinforce the attribute of confidence.
The outline of his going into battle with Grendel and then with the vengeful mom displays his confidence in battle. Whilst Beowulf enters into outdated age he ‘utters his closing boast: “I’ve by no means know concern, as a youth I fought In limitless battles, I’m outdated now, However I’ll combat once more” ’(traces 622-626). He intends to combat a dragon even in his outdated age with out concern as a result of destiny will resolve the result. He tells his followers “no man however me Might hope to defeat this monster. Nobody Might strive” (traces 645-647). In his confidence he explains that nobody is as robust and brave as himself.
Then he enters the dragon’s lair and “lowered His sword and roared out a battle cry, A name so loud and clear that it reached via the hoary rock, hung within the dragon‘s Ear”(traces 662-666). Beowulf is warning the dragon that he’s about to face a fierce battle to the demise. The character of Beowulf can be very prideful. All through the epic Beowulf’s delight in himself is obvious. He boasts of his background and success in battles. When Beowulf enters the port belonging to King Hrothgar the sentry questions his function. Beowulf then goes into his historical past saying “My father Was a well-known soldier, recognized far and huge as a frontrunner of males.
His title was Edgetho…Sensible males all around the earth absolutely Bear in mind him nonetheless” (traces 174-179). He needs males to know that he’s the son of somebody well-known. Then when he greets King Hrothgar he informs him that “the times Of my youth have been crammed with glory” (traces 237-238). He boasts of his wonderful successes of youth. He goes on to say “My individuals have mentioned, the wisest, most understanding, And better of them, that my responsibility was to go to the Danes’ Nice king. They’ve seen my energy for themselves, Have watched me rise from the darkness of battle, Dripping, with my enemies’ blood…”(traces 244-246).
He recounts his success in battle in opposition to giants and searching monsters within the ocean. He tells the king “Now Grendel and I are referred to as Collectively, and I’ve come” (traces 254-255). He’s saying that his personal individuals know that solely he can defeat such an enemy and that it’s destiny that brings him to battle Grendel. His delight precipitated him to show trophies equivalent to Grendel’s torn arm which he hung excessive for everybody to see. Then he offered the pinnacle of Grendel’s mom to the king. Later in life Beowulf’s final battle is in opposition to a dragon.
The delight of Beowulf made it mandatory for him to elucidate why he had to make use of weapons to kill the dragon slightly than killing it together with his naked arms. He explains to his males “I’d use no sword, no weapon, if this beast May very well be killed with out it, crushed to demise like Grendel, gripped in my arms and torn Limb kind limb. However his breath will likely be burning Sizzling, poison will pour from his tongue” (traces 630-634). Beowulf needs his males to know that if he may kill the dragon with out weapons he would. He then tells them “Nobody else may do What I imply to, right here, no man however me Might hope to defeat this monster, Nobody Might strive” (traces 644-647).
Beowulf is the shining instance of what it’s to be an Anglo Saxon warrior. He’s all the pieces hero needs to be. He’s brave going into battle and throughout battle. His character battles the worst enemies in essentially the most brutal conflicts. He’s assured that he can defeat males and monsters. He’s pleased with his heritage and his accomplishments in battle. He boasts about beforehand received battles and should show trophies of present defeats. He dies as a hero ought to die in a battle with a harmful enemy.
