The Role Of Heroism And Bravery In Beowulf.
In the poem “Beowulf” by Unknown the main character Beowulf, fights several monsters to defend his friends and allies. Beowulf’s fight against the monster Grendel’s mother is overall heroic because Beowulf fully demonstrates all the criterion of heroism to a high degree.The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf is the hero. He shows that he is a great man by always putting other things before his own needs. He is important and needed by his people and is known by many as a strong, courageous and a helpful person.Heroism is the glorification of the warrior hero and of the heroic code of conduct. This first appearance of Beowulf in the poem shows him to be a worthy representative of that code. The hero is valiant, strong, noble, and mighty, a legend in his own time and loyal to his leader Hygelac. And he is on the alert for wrongs to be righted.
Beowulf fulfills the Anglo-Saxon idea of heroism in the epic poem through strength, humility and essential goodness; however, as the story progresses, the monster-slayer begins to resemble an Aristotelian tragic protagonist, one whose hubris, or god-defying pride, leads him to nemesis -- an ultimate destructive force -- and catharsis, the emotional release a champion achieves at his tragic end.What role do the digressions play in Beowulf? What light do they shed on the main action? 5. Is Beowulf an ideal hero and king? Is there anything lacking in his character? 6. Would you say that the characters in Beowulf are as psychologically complex those in modern works of literature? Do they undergo any development as the poem progresses?
An epic hero is the central figure who has superior qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a grand quest.Beowulf is a great epic hero because he performs many brave deeds such as risking his life for the greater good of society, and is significant and glorified by all people.Beowulf displays all of these heroic characteristics in many situations throughout the poem.
