Heroic Elements In Beowulf
Between the 450`s and 1100`s, the Anglo-Saxons lived in the Island of Briton, what is today Great Britain. These people were basically farmers and hunters, who lived in tribes that were considered tightly knit and fiercely loyal. These land was a constant prey for the Vikings, Romans and Celts (Britons), who in taking away their territory, also wished to swipe away their culture. However, they could not steal their high spiritedness. The Anglo-Saxons kept on their traditional parties which consisted of music, dancing, and story telling. They were fascinated with tales of monsters, battles and fearless behavior. These tales were maintained by oral tradition and later became written epic ...
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Grendel, is an enormous creature, which battles with Beowulf, a young adventurer wanting fame.
Throughout this epic poem , various heroic elements can be appreciated, which reflect the values by which the Anglo-Saxon society lived as strength, loyalty, and bravery. Beowulf has outstanding characteristics that convert him into a real hero. In this epic, Beowulf use strength in all fights to get out victoriously. He and some minor characters demonstrates loyalty during the battles to serve the warriors who where there. Finally, Beowulf displays bravery, during fights, and struggles with natural facts . Therefore, in this poem Beowulf, the characteristics of strength, loyalty, and bravery , represent the heroic elements of the Anglo-Saxon period.
There are three mortal battles. The first battle is the one with Grendel. The second struggle is between Beowulf and Grendel's mother, and the third, half a century later, against a dragon. Through all this battles Beowulf shows ...
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him till its life leaps out."(pg30,Li368) In the same struggle, with Grendel's mother, "the Geat's great lord"(pg30,Li450) knows that if "weapons were useless,"(pg37,Li507) he will use "the strength of his fingers."(pg37,Li508) Therefore, throughout this epic, it is evident that strength helps make Beowulf a hero. In this poem, the Anglo-Saxons demonstrates, when a person or just a warrior does an outstanding action by using a heroic element as strength. it does not matter age, what really matters is his mental and physical strength.
Loyalty is also a heroic element shown in this poem by Beowulf and some minor characters. Loyalty, is a large heroic trait, that each single warrior, ...
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"Heroic Elements In Beowulf." Essayworld.com. November 7, 2006. Accessed April 18, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Heroic-Elements-In-Beowulf/55152.
"Heroic Elements In Beowulf." Essayworld.com. November 7, 2006. Accessed April 18, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Heroic-Elements-In-Beowulf/55152.
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