Stories contain many characters with some that stand out more than the others. A person is considered the protagonist depending on who is telling the story and what story is being told. The protagonist is the main character in a literary work. Whether good or evil, the audience sympathize with the protagonist and understands the motif of the character. Beowulf is a protagonist whose encounters with evil proves him to be a strong heroic warrior. The knight from the Canterbury Tales is considered the protagonist as he serves as an honorable servant to the king. Beowulf and The Knight both compare through their loyalty and humbleness. Beowulf is considered as a protagonist as he embodies strength and courage while defeating the evil of Grendel, Grendel's Mother and the dragon. He is reluctant to back down from battle, just so he can save the people from evil. He signifies the true heroic character …show more content…
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. He is completely satisfied with his station in life and is courteous to the other pilgrims without becoming friendly with them. Beowulf and the Knight are the protagonist of the two great literary works Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales. Beowulf stands out as the protagonist, a great warrior who fights evil and displays heroism throughout his whole life. The knight stands out as the protagonist who fight for truth and faith. Both Beowulf and The Knight encompass Loyalty and Humbles as great
It may prove difficult to only do things for the god of mankind rather than oneself. Nevertheless, Beowulf held tremendous bravery which contributes to his heroic persona. When Beowulf fights the antagonist Grendel he goes into battle with only “[his] hands alone to fight,” proving he is no coward (172-173). Throughout this epic, Beowulf continues
Beowulf is obviously an archetypal hero, being one of the first heros created in a writing. In Beowulf there is a hero, outcast/scapegoat, and many symbols. Beowulf is the hero because he is
Beowulf: A Well-Designed Hero with Exceptional Qualities How do Beowulf’s events correlate to Beowulf as a character? Beowulf exhibits characteristics of a hero in many ways. Some include his bravery, courage, skill, and quest. For example, Beowulf defeated Grendel by tearing his opponent’s arm off under gruesome circumstance (791-823).
The story of Beowulf is all about the strength, fearless and a weakness of a man. Beowulf is a brave man he fights for his kingdom with honor. But he forgot on how to be a man to himself. Beowulf tends to fights and kills the monster which is Grendel.
In the “Beowulf” selection of the epic, the protagonist, Beowulf, is introduced as a cunning, crafty and courageous character since he refuses to use a weapon in the battle against the monster, Grendel, and insists on having a fair battle: “My lord Higlac/Might think
There are plenty of characters in the epic poem “Beowulf” but none are as dynamic as Beowulf himself. As the main character and protagonist, he is thoroughly developed throughout the poem. While some of his traits jump right out at you (confidence, strength, bravery), other are buried and subtle. Beowulf is wise, compassionate, and honorable and these characteristics shape the entire poem.
The hero in the epic poem Beowulf is the main character, Beowulf. He demonstrates heroic qualities as soon as the readers are introduced to his character. Beowulf proves himself to be courageous and brave by voluntarily fighting the “undefeatable” monster, Grendel. He is greatly admired by both the Danes and Geats for his courageous acts. Although his motivation is altered to only benefit himself with the title of the greatest warrior, his plan to save the Danes is greatly appreciated by all in the land.
unlike Lancelot, The Knight of the Cart, Beowulf was not full of a want for the love of somebody else, but is instead an epic poem of a man with amazing strength, and power. With battles fought against monsters, and dragons for glory. Although the theme may have been different for these stories. The main characters shared a lot of the same heroic traits. For instance, Lancelot who was the most legendary of the round table for his strength in combat, and courageous determination.
Though the dragon managed to kill Beowulf in time from a bite that was poisonous, one his most loyal knights slayed the dragon and after retrieving the treasure he kept it hidden. Beowulf tells Wiglaf to build him barrow where people will remember him by. He was one of the bravest knights putting himself in danger over people he didn 't know, and later honoring his word to the king. In each battle he fought he made things as equal for his opponent as himself. He was the true meaning of a chivalric Knight.
Beowulf possessed the poised demeanor necessary to defeat all evils by the arrogant swing of his sword. The commitment shown by lending his life to the welfare of his people was imperative in order to be called a flawless warrior. Beowulf embodied the determination that Anglo-Saxons saw as unmeasurably valuable. If nothing more than just fiction, Beowulf is the ideal hero of the people from who he originated. “They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.”
Christopher Reeve (AKA the 1978 superman) said that, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles”. Both Beowulf and Modern day heroes are similar in that way in that they fight for the common good of people. That quote from Christopher Reeves on what a modern day hero is, also applies to the epic hero qualities that Beowulf has. Similarly Beowulf and a modern day hero defeat an evil so that good can prevail. Some examples are, Beowulf Slaying Grendel and Grendel's mother to save the land of the Danes, and soldiers fighting enemies that threaten the lives of a country, and police officers putting criminals behind bars.
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 goes to fight the monster and “Beowulf arrays himself in armor, not at all worrying about his life.” Overall, if you think about it, Beowulf truly is a hero. This is because he even puts forth maximum effort to fight. He truly believes in justice and peace for the village.
Medieval literature shows the change of heroes throughout centuries. For the English medieval times, two story’s heroes stand out: Le Morte d'Arthur’s Lancelot and Beowulf’s Beowulf. Lancelot, the patient, humble, and chivalrous knight, is contrasted by Beowulf, a boastful, proud, and rowdy viking. It clearly shows how stories have changed in their depiction of protagonists. Both Beowulf and Lancelot are great warriors and leaders but that is where their similarities end.
The different characters in Beowulf represent characteristics in Anglo-Saxon culture, both desired and not desired. From the envied heroic status of Beowulf himself, to the undesired status of the cowardly thanes who abandoned him to die alone during a fierce battle, the ideals of Anglo Saxon characteristics are well presented in the epic poem Beowulf. Beowulf is the representation of a heroic figure demonstrating acts of prowess and superiority. With his supernatural capability to literally dis-arm his opponent Grendel, he is an early image of a modern ay superhero.