Beowulf's Legacy

Words: 680
Pages: 3

The epic poem Beowulf a the son of Ecgtheow emerges onto the scene. This wonderful warrior will boast to all who will listen and is determined to save the Danes. Beowulf is a mighty warrior who would die if his death led to the savior of the people. As an upcoming warrior in his youth he was determined to make his name known far and wide. He planned on securing a legacy for the battles he would take part in. As his life progresses and battles are fought Beowulf is crowned king of the Geats. Now in the second half of his glorious life he is threatened with his final beast. As a king he is determined to keep the legacy he declared as a younger man and this shows during his final battle.
Beowulf’s boasts and encounters reveal him to be the strongest,
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After Beowulf had slayed Grendel and Grendel’s mother Beowulf had thoroughly declared his legacy among the people of Geatland. Now Beowulf must come out of his retirement as a warrior and help defend the city that worships him. “In his old age, this is very dangerous battle, yet Beowulf was too proud to call up a large army. Instead he recalls the glorious battles of his youth - including the fight with Grendel - and the many fights he had as king of the Geats”(2290-2400). Beowulf had no reason to go out and prove that he was the mightiest of them all, but still believed he was the true protector of the Geats. So from the years between his earlier battles and the present Beowulf was the true savior of the people and he decided to attempt to protect them one more …show more content…
Which is why Beowulf appeared to fighting for a different mentality in his last battle. In his youth, Beowulf is a great warrior, characterized predominantly by his feats of strength and courage. Later in life, he takes on the responsibilities of a king, who must act for the good of the people and not just for his own glory, which differs from that of the heroic warrior. Beowulf grows in maturity throughout his life. As a young and noble warrior Beowulf is set on displaying his amazing strength and ability to win among all odds. As Beowulf grows as a man of the people and becomes king his necessities for battling creatures changes. Beowulf is a different man at the end of the poem because he is fighting for the glory of the people and not for his own self