Examples Of Action In Beowulf

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Action: The Fuel of a Hero

Heroes are nothing without action. When someone thinks of a hero, they think of the people who do what’s right, even though they might be doing so selfishly. Ultimately, people become heroes because of their willingness to fight for the good. For a person to be a hero, they must act. Here are three examples in literature that prove this. The first example is in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Sir Gawain was willing to fight for the honor of his king. He put his life at risk because he knew it was the right thing to do. On his journey, he encountered other dangers, and he protected people he barely knew simply because he was a chivalrous knight. Ultimately, when Gawain faced the Green Knight like a gladiator facing a lion, Gawain allowed the Green Knight to live, despite the evil he had inflicted on the kingdom. Gawain’s selfless services prove that no matter what the cost, heroes must be willing to act. The second example of heroic action can be found in Beowulf. Beowulf was a renowned warrior. He was summoned by Egtheow to do battle with Grendal. Beowulf was eager to defend the kingdom, but also to receive the glory of war. Huge banquets were held in his honor, and he was ultimately made king for his brave deeds. …show more content…
They were both acting selfishly, but they also did everything in their power to make her happy, thus their actions were also selfless. The two were best friends, and yet their mutual love of Emily drove a sledge between them, causing Palamon to ultimately kill Arcita. While Palamon was acting primarily for himself, whereas Beowulf and Gawain acted for their kingdoms, he was still willing to do whatever it took to see himself and the woman he loved happy

Archetypal Heroes And Outcasts In Beowulf

In Beowulf, there are several versions of the mythological/archetypal heroes and outcasts. An archetypal hero is described as, “a figure larger than life, whose search for self-identity and/or self-fulfillment results in his own destruction.” An archetypal outcast is described as, “a character who is separated from (or separates him or herself from) society due to a physical impairment or an emotional or physiological realization that makes this character different.” Beowulf endeavors many different…

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Beowulf Descriptive Language Essay

The poetic descriptive language of Beowulf appealed to the senses in several lines or imagery and metaphors. However, the exaggeration of Beowulf’s strength and likely not needing any man-made weapons gives a description of his qualities as an epic hero rather than an ordinary hero. The use of oral stories being past down to generations has given a depth of suspense of imagery that demonstrates the idea of motifs a hero posses. In the epic poem of Beowulf, literary devices are used to emphasize the…

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Persuasive Essay On Beowulf

dismiss Beowulf as someone who is obsessed with self-actualization and the desire for fame. That is because he puts himself out to face up to issues that challenge his pride and ego. Some critics may also argue that Beowulf is a notorious warrior hiding under the façade of loyalty to trade in war and terror. For example, in the bloody fight between Beowulf and Grendel he comes out as reckless as he beheads Grendel and rips off his hands. Through the eye of Grendel’s sympathizers, Beowulf can be labelled…

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Journal 1 Essay

Anglo-Saxon Culture The epic poem, Beowulf, depicts the heroic traits that Anglo-Saxon culture most values through the character Beowulf by being the epitome of the perfect hero. Beowulf was an outstanding warrior with all the extraordinary values required of a hero. He was able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to help those that were in need. He encountered terrifying monsters and the most ferocious of beasts, but he never feared the threat of death. Beowulf was the ultimate hero of the…

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Relationship Between Good And Evil In Beowulf

stinking blood fountained everywhere. Beowulf had pulled Grendel’s arm out of its socket!” Beowulf: A New Telling, by Robert Nye is a great book to read if you are interested in the relationship and battle between good and evil, and light and dark. Beowulf proves that good overcomes evil in the end. He also shows that one has to admit to their weaknesses for them to become strengths. Beowulf fights three fearsome beasts and becomes a great hero and king. In Beowulf: A new telling, Hrothgar, King…

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Comparing Beowulf 'And The Knight In The Canterbury Tales'

In “The Canterbury Tales” the Knight in the story is exactly like Beowulf. The Knight and Beowulf both have arrogant personalities. For example the quote on page 257 says “He often sat at table in the chair Of honor, above all nations.” This means that the Knight sees himself above everyone else and he talks down to people because he thinks he is better than everyone. That is exactly like Beowulf when he stands at the top of the hearth looking down on King Hrothgar and all of the people. He is talking…

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How Does Beowulf Kill Grendel's Mother

movie Beowulf, or even read the epic poem ? Beowulf was a noble and honest man in the poem. Meanwhile in the movie Beowulf lied about petty matters. Beowulf even deceived the citizens into believing he killed Grendel’s Mother ; however , in the poem Beowulf actually killed Grendel’s Mother. Hrothgar was a prestigious king in the poem, but in the movie Hrothgar had an affair with Grendel’s Mother. The literary work Beowulf is depicted in different ways. The movie and textbook version of Beowulf had…

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Beowulf Assignment 1 Essay

Understanding Characters Beowulf Character Actions 1) Beowulf helps King Hrothgar. 2) Beowulf tears Grendel’s shoulder from its socket without using any arm. 3) Despite being very old Beowulf faced the dragon Others Actions to Character 1) Beowulf receives gifts from the king and the queen. 2) Beowulf became king of his own people. 3) Beowulf had a funeral with honors Speech/Appearance 1) Stoutest (vigorous) 2) Sturdy (tough) 3) Noble Thoughts/Feelings 1) Beowulf has kind intentions toward…

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Beowulf and Anglo-saxton Epics Essay

Beowulf: Three Characteristics of An Anglo-Saxton Epic Ethan Hibbs October 22, 2012 Period 5 Beowulf: Three Characteristics of an Anglo-Saxton Epic The story of Beowulf teaches many characteristics of Anglo-Saxton epics. Three of those characteristics in Beowulf are: making the hero look larger than life, over exaggerating their story, and revenge. Knowing these qualities, one can get some understanding of Anglo-Saxton epics. Over exaggeration is key in Anglo-Saxton poems. If not…

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Beowulf Epic Hero Essay

boldness, and dauntlessness. In “The Epic Beowulf” By: Anonymous Beowulf proves to have all these characteristics . Beowulf fights two evil characters, first the man-eating Grendel, then Grendel's revengeful mother, he protected the Danes from these horrendous creatures. Then coming back to Geatland and honorably declining to take the throne when his uncle King Hygelac died. He eventually became king after the death of Heardred. By these actions alone Beowulf proves to be an epic hero through his tremendous…

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