In present-day literature, boasting is often seen in one of two lights. Either it foreshadows a character’s impending doom by means of being ironic, or it is used as proof that a character is an egomaniac. However, in older literature, boasting is not the same. In the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf, there are numerous formal boasts delivered by Beowulf himself, and the purpose of these boasts is not the same as the purpose of many boasts in contemporary literature. Beowulf does not die because he is too proud, nor is he painted to be a very narcissistic warrior. In fact, Beowulf can be considered quite humble. He attributes many of his grandiose victories to the fact that the Lord was on his side. In Anglo-Saxon literature, the formal boast has numerous …show more content…
Similar to a modern-day coach’s pep talk, Beowulf also gives these formal boasts as a means of assuaging the fears of men and women prior to his encounters with these terrible monsters. One of the first examples of this is in Hrothgar’s mead-hall, when the queen Wealhtheow is in the room. He assures that he sailed to Hrothgar’s kingdom with the sole purpose of killing Grendel and that he “shall fulfill that purpose” (ln. 636). He even assures everyone that he is not like the many Danes that Grendel has already killed because Grendel “will find me different” (ln. 601). His boast is well-received by his company as well, who are now less on edge about the impending Grendel attack and are able to relax, as they eat and drink in the mead-hall joyously, with “proud talk and the people happy, / loud and excited” (ln. 643-644). It is clear the Beowulf’s boast regarding how he will definitely kill Grendel continues to lift the spirits of the men in the mead-hall so that their pre-battle celebration was as lively as ever. Additionally, Beowulf’s formal boast is another source of comfort again when it is revealed that Aeschere has been taken by Grendel’s vengeful mother. As King Hrothgar mourns for his lost advisor, Beowulf is sure to include in his formal boast to Hrothgar that “it is always better / to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning” (ln. 1385-1386). …show more content…
To achieve this goal, formal boasts serve different, smaller roles, based on the different situations. From proving worth and reputation to pacifying a worried party and steeling oneself mentally, the formal boasts found in Anglo-Saxon literature are there to prove that the speaker is a hero. Unlike many modern-day heroes who are often humble, and therefore very impervious to giving long, winding speeches about how great they are, Anglo-Saxon heroes are very prone to these speeches, and for good reason. In the older literature, these speeches established in a character the traits of their classic hero – a man who is loyal to his lord and honorable as well as being someone who will more likely than not die during battle. And so, it is important to keep this in mind whenever one reads Anglo-Saxon literature because it is easy to mistake a character’s formal boast as an impressive display of testosterone with the need to dominate over the other characters in the setting. Whereas in reality, it is very possible that this long monologue about how amazing a person is, is actually the trait of a
Adding onto his already boastful statement, Beowulf says that he can show Hrothgar a way to deafeat his enemy (Page 21). This helps assure the Scyldings of Beowulf’s power and allows him to enter the Danes’ territory. In Beowulf, boasting is a way to make a promise to another. Listeners are persuaded to believe that the boaster is reliable due to his confidence
Beowulf's pagan warrior culture perceives fame as a way of leaving an eternal memory of an individual's actions. It’s something that will continue one's memory even after death. Beowulf believes that it will be a way of praising him for his deeds. From his compassion to courage, and his bravery and honor, all of Beowulf’s actions come together to prove he is an epic
They brag about their many talents and accomplishments, leaving the person on the other end of the conversation feeling that worn out from listening to the same thing over and over again. Fortunately, there are people who do not excessively brag about their latest achievements. They simply know what they have done, and they leave it at that. Beowulf was most like the latter. In Beowulf, there was no evidence spotted that seemed to imply that Beowulf went around boasting about the monsters that he had killed and replaying the events over and over again until people had begun to wish that he had not scored a victory over the monsters.
Beowulf attempted to comfort Hrothgar and the warriors by exclaiming, “Let your sorrow end! It is better for us all to avenge our friends, not mourn them forever”. He then aims to convince Hrothgar that “for the glory of his name, fame after death is the noblest of goals”. Beowulf believes it is worth dying for a good
This shows that he wanted people to think he’s this amazing leader because of what he did and not because of the gifts that God has given him. Beowulf faced many different trials and tribulations during this time of life. With the courage and strength given to him, he was able to overcome any challenge or roadblock that stood in the way. He didn’t always realize it, but with the help of
In the epic poem “Beowulf” the character Beowulf is the foundation for all of our modern heroes, but was he really a great hero? A hero is classified as a person who is admired for their bravery, achievements, or nobility. Although Beowulf displays all these qualities, there are several reasons he is not a hero, mainly him being egotistical and arrogant. This is why Beowulf is not a heroic person. Beowulf is often caught bragging about himself and his great accomplishments.
Boasting and self-possession were another common custom of the Anglo-Saxons. (“Anglo-Saxon Warfare Group”). Beowulf represents a quintessential Anglo-Saxon hero through his confident poise, his willingness for self-sacrifice, and his tenacity through near-impossible odds. Beowulf possessed the trait of self-assurance, almost to the point of hubris. Beowulf quickly rose through the ranks and was entrusted by King Hrothgar simply by asserting himself as the leader and savior of the Danes.
Questions of Honor: Beowulf Beowulf’s honor and integrity can be questioned throughout the entirety of the epic poem, Beowulf. Whether or not his actions are inspired by his own pompous arrogance or confidence, one can argue that he is a hero nonetheless. Evidence and experience prove that Beowulf is more of a fearless hero than an excessively prideful man, and his hubris is more than justified due to the formidable duties he is able to execute. Throughout the poem, Beowulf expresses his intense strength and courage to the fearful people in the poem. His daring sense of self-assurance is backed by his victories against all three monsters, (even though he suffers a tragic death after facing the dragon, it is a defeat nonetheless).
Beowulf reveals an act of arrogance throughout the epic poem Beowulf; therefore, it makes him an irrelevant hero. Beowulf claimed “that he needs no weapons and fears none” when fighting the monster. Stating that he can defeat a monster with his bare hands makes Beowulf very boastful. This quality of boastfulness expresses Beowulf’s thoughts on heroism. He only did heroic deeds for his desire.
Beowulf embodies many universal societal heroic values that are signified in the modern world like courage, bravery, and strength. In the poem, Beowulf displays courage. “Now, I mean to be a match for Grendel, settle the outcome in single combat” (Heaney 425-426). This quote shows courage because he’s telling them that he can fight Grendel and wants to weather he wins or loses.
Harry Potter shows he is humble when he recognizes that he cannot defeat Voldemort without the help of his friends. Although Harry is the chosen one, he is modest and does not let his appellation go to his head. Instead Harry Potter asks his friends for help. Moreover, even though humility is an important part of Beowulf’s culture, Beowulf is not humble when it comes to his friends or his followers. Instead, Beowulf says that no one else can “hope” to defeat the dragon except him (Beowulf 646).
The epic poem Beowulf presents insights into the importance of boasting in Anglo-Saxon culture. On the eve of Beowulf's battle with Grendel, he has a scuffle with Unferth. Beowulf ends up using a notable skill, boasting, an important mechanism to assert prowess and triumphs. They can serve as a certification of reputation, bravery, and power, all values of Anglo-Saxon society. The exchange between Unferth and Beowulf exhibit the value of boasting in a society that values the truth.
Beowulf had done the unthinkable—he had killed a demon that no warrior of Denmark could have done. This opened several new doors for Beowulf, including one that promised of honor, glory, and riches. Beowulf had achieved his goal of fame, a goal which had created a poem of a hero that birthed and shaped a story to be told even years later. Furthermore, Beowulf’s fame was set in stone by Hrothgar, the king who owed Beowulf his everything, including his thanks. After giving Beowulf the speech to further glorify his prominence, Hrothgar declares, “Glory is now yours/
Storytelling within Beowulf often differs, a handful of the stories are told traditionally while others are used as a flashback or a foreshadow. Before Beowulf 's short battle with Grendel, he speaks of how the bloodbath could turn out. Here he states: “If Grendel wins, it will be a gruesome day; he will glut himself on the Geats in the war-hall… he will carry me away as he goes to ground, gorged and bloodied; he will run gloating with my raw corpse and feed on it alone, in a cruel frenzy fouling his moor-nest” (lines 442-451). In this instance, the “story” is seen as a foreshadow, despite it being incorrect. Beowulf did not boast of his unknown fate being successful but rather accepted the fact he could and might die while battling the beast, this showed his humble being and gained him respect within Hrothgar’s
Flaws by Contrast Comparisons and contrasts play a huge role in literary works, especially between characters. Not only do they show similarities and differences between various characters, but they also bring out specific qualities that make a character unique and help guide the readers towards a common conclusion. In the popular Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist and hero, Beowulf, is emphasized for his extraordinary greatness. Throughout his story, he, as an advocate of good, encounters many opposing forces in the form of other characters. In a society where heroism and bravery are honored as essential aspects of culture, the contrasting values of these characters, or foils, help define Beowulf as the model hero.