Beowulf; the Myth, the Legend
Autor: Maryam • December 18, 2017 • 1,002 Words (5 Pages) • 742 Views
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Beowulf explains that he isn’t afraid of dying because it will happen whether he wants it to or not “whichever one death fells must deem it a just judgement by God.” (Heaney p31 440-441) After all, by his courageous act of defeating Grendal would allow Beowulf to be able to give King Hrothgar peace by eliminating the threat that has caused terror for his people for the last twelve years.
“From childhood, Norse were told to fill their lives with glory and honor, to seek wealth and fortune and to win long-lasting fame.” (Hubbard p6) In the Viking era, when someone’s honor was offended duels were the way to settle the offense. “Honor was of paramount importance to Norse warriors and offense was easily taken.” (Hubbard p8) When arriving to help the Shieldings, Beowulf citied his achievements that had gained him and his king honor. A warrior’s honor was based on their conquests and by their heritage. After defeating Grendal’s mother, Beowulf returns not with any golden treasure but with Grendal’s head and a magic sword. Beowulf was courageous and renowned not only for his battle achievements but also for his good deeds. Reputation and honor was one of the single qualities that endures after death; it is the key to immorality.
The most prominent warriors were immortalized in the history books or through poems which were ensured to be passed down from generation to generation. These heroic tales were what made the youngsters aspire to reach out to acquire the same if not more for themselves. “Mythology is a method in which to illuminate the culture’s hopes, values, fears and aspirations. Mythical tales are communal which help bind a tribe or nation together; they reveal the mind set and character of the people. (Guerin, p147-148) Beowulf was an example of values and morals of the Angelo-Saxon society, and we all can come to the conclusion that through his myth that he was a hero to aspire to become.
Works Cited
Guerin, Wilfred. L. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992. http:// comminfo.rutgers.edu/ ~mjoseph/c-guerin.html. 07/30/2016
Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2000.
Hubbard, Ben. The Viking Warrior. New York: Metro Books, 2015.
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