Examples Of Honor In Beowulf

Beowulf’s leadership qualities are courageous, brave, and honorable and we see many times how he is selfless. Beowulf also relies on God as his ultimate protector, exemplifying the Christian values of the society of Beowulf’s author (who is still unknown). One of the times when leadership is exemplified in Beowulf is when Beowulf makes the decision to fights and defeats the dragon, Grendel. For fighting this battle, and for the success of the defeat, Hrothgar gives Beowulf riches which he then brings back to his homeland. He gives these riches to the king of his own land when he returns home.

Beowulf becomes honorable when he says: “O shelterer warriors and people’s loved friend, that this one favor should not refuse me that I alone, and with the help of my men may purge all evil from this hall. I have too, that the monster scorn of men is so great that need no weapons and fear none” (258-263). Beowulf means that he going to fight the monster Grendel using only hands because it's not fair using weapons. Beowulf is trying to get all the fame and glory defeating the monster but anybody can kill using weapons, Beowulf uses his hands. This shows how honorable Beowulf is.

In contrast to Hrothgar lamenting his dear friend, Beowulf proclaims, “It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning” (1384-1385). Beowulf praises the idea that the best way to react to death is not by wallowing in grief, but instead trying to punish the killer for his wrong; it is more of an effective method to accept a loved one’s death when his murder is slain. His loyalty to the Danes is projected through his conviction of getting revenge for the sake of the one who died. Grendel’s mom has proven to be very vicious, nevertheless Beowulf ascertains he should pursue a brawl anyways. Beowulf is willing to put his life on the line to avenge a life for the nation he cares about and protects.

Throughout the epic poem, Beowulf holds firm to his integrity; moreover, the noble quality which he specifically holds firm to is being a just and loyal person. The quote which demonstrates Beowulf characteristics is “ Too, that the monster's scorn of men Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I.” In context to the quote, Beowulf explains to the king how he will fight the antagonist without a weapon due to the reason that his opponent does not have one. The significance of Beowulf actions in not having a weapon demonstrates how he kept his integrity in fighting Grendel with justice.

Not all the kings ' subjects have unwavering faith in Beowulf. One man, Unferth, attempts to ridicule him and instill doubt about his capabilities in the minds of the people. Unferth tries to twist Beowulf’s past to embarrass him, claiming that the man who lost a mere swimming match against the warrior, Breca, could never hope to defeat Grendel. Interestingly enough, Unferth’s attack on Beowulf’s past stems from his insecurities in his own past. Beowulf however, remains unphased, and after learning of Unferth’s father (Ecglaf) he retaliates.

One of the big reasons Beowulf travels to the land of the Geats to slay Grendel is for honor. Hrothgar weeps after his friend has been killed by Grendel and Beowulf pretty much tells him to pull it together. He remind the king that life is short and then you die so while you’re here you might as well earn some glory. This is typically the view taken by most warriors

After Beowulf got back from the Danes from killing Grendel’s mom, he became the king of the Geats. “Defending the folk against many a tribe with a spear point and word in the surges of battle till not one was hostile “neath heaven’s expanse.” Beowulf put ever dedication into his people and put them first before anything else. Many years passed and Beowulf began to grow old yet his fighting spirit never aged. He was easily one of the most kindest and generous kings the land of the Geats had ever seen.

In the fight, Beowulf is the only person who doesn’t use weapons, and he is the sole person who is able to slay Grendle (Beowulf 34.) When Beowulf doesn’t use his weapon, it does not mean much to us, but it is a huge thing to the Anglo-Saxons. Beowulf not using his weapon is a sign of reputation. A warrior killing a monster with a sword is not a big deal, but a warrior slaying a monster with his hands? Beowulf being able to slay Grendle with his hands brought him huge fame and reputation, which is what his goal

Beowulf makes known that “no man but [himself] could hope to defeat this monster, [and] no one could try.” Beowulf wants to have this fight all to himself, so he can take all of the glory. He is too selfish to conclude that only he could defeat the monster alone. Beowulf cannot be thought of as a hero because “Beowulf only longed for fame.” Beowulf does not perform heroic deeds just to save the citizens, but to receive more admiration from the citizens.

Beowulf gives him uttermost respect, greeting him properly and advancing in affection. The man finds the king of Danes to be such an influence that even one day when he comes to rule, Beowulf’s ways of leadership are similar to those of Hrothgar. Even with this in mind, the modern day film belittles this with the added in drama in order to create friction between characters. Within the film we watch as Beowulf questions Hrothgar's reason for killing Grendel's father. We see a side of Beowulf that begins to lose his respect for the king.

Throughout the poem, Beowulf fights three different monsters and in each of these situations he chooses to begin the fight without their help. He enters into combat with his men by his side, but when the actual fighting begins he defeats the monsters with very little help from them. Beowulf’s strength and physical prowess was unlike any other man in comparison to his height and incredible grip. Furthermore, Beowulf can be categorized as an outcast based on his personality traits. The main character is set apart from the other warriors because of his courage and humility.

Glory exists today as a more muted idea, something usually not strived for but gained along with winning and success. However, in Anglo-Saxon culture many centuries ago, glory to them was a concept that was a bigger-than-life sort of deal. Glory today is not often something many people die for, though the same could not have been said for the Anglo-Saxons. For some warriors, it was the sheer force of glory that acted as the core of their determination, their reason for existing; their motivations lingering around the idea of existing even in death, as their name would live on. In the poem Beowulf, a warrior had the opportunity to gain the utmost of glory.

Beowulf risked his life multiple times by battling Grendel and Grendel’s mother to save the people of Denmark. He also embarks on a battle with a dragon as an old man ascending on the Geats Throne. Each battle Beowulf fought has all been for the safety of his people. Although the Knight did not battle as a deed for his people, he also is viewed as a humble person his battles were for a purpose greater than himself. The knight never talks about his brave and valorous deeds.

The Honorable Hero The epic poem Beowulf describes a famous heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon period. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly unstoppable person with all the inhuman traits required of a hero. He uses his courage and

Throughout the Epic poem of Beowulf, Beowulf shows his honor and his strength in each of the three battles that takes place. In each battle, a different technique is used which shows that Beowulf is a strong man and he is someone who is not to be messed with. Beowulf proves his loyalty to Hrothgar by helping protect his people against Grendel and Grendel’s mother. This says more about Beowulf’s character than anything else that happens in the epic.