.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Epic of Beowulf Essay - Beowulf as Tragic Hero - 1432 Words

Beowulf as Tragic Hero By definition, a tragic hero is a protagonist that due to some tragic flaw loses everything he has. Throughout history, literature has always been filled with main characters possessing some tragic flaw. In Macbeth, Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his enormous ambition to become king. In Hamlet, Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his need for revenge for the death of his father at the hands of his uncle. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh’s tragic flaw is his need to be remembered. In the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, Beowulf also has a tragic flaw, excessive pride and the search for fame, which ultimately leads to his demise. Beowulf was a highly skilled and great fighter, but because of his over-confidence in himself the†¦show more content†¦Perhaps the best criticism of Beowulf comes from the mouth of the son of Ecglaf, Unferth. He says: â€Å"Are you the same Beowulf who challenged Breca to a swimming match on the open sea? There out of pride you both tested sea-ways, through foolish boasting risked lives on the deep. None could dissuade you, fiend nor foe, keep either of you from that hapless trip, when you two went swimming out of the bay†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Beowulf p79) But in response to Unferth’s accusations, Beowulf once again proclaims the great deeds he has done. In fact, it appears that he is always looking for an opportunity to boast about the numerous monsters and enemies that he has slaughtered. Beowulf is always seeking to help his enrich his image. This flaw in his character, as well as his feeling of invincibility leads to his downfall later in life. â€Å"Again and again the angry monsters made fierce attacks, I served them well with my noble blade, as was only fitting. Small pleasure they had in such a sword-feast, dark things in the sea that meant to eat me, †¦I had chanced to kill some nine sea-beasts. I never have heard of a harder night-fight under heaven’s vault, or a man more oppressed on the ocean streams.†(Beowulf p83) It is very apparent here that Beowulf is extremely proud of what he had accomplished, and was not going to let some other person who had done no major heroic deed try to put him down. In fact, he goes on to say that no one in the world has fought such a hard fight as he did that night.Show MoreRelatedThe Heroes Of The Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare1292 Words   |  6 PagesEpics consists of benevolent or disastrous inte rvention from the supernatural world, and the superhuman capabilities that the heroes and antiheroes occupy. Tales like these represent the characteristics of what heroes are considered to be during the time they were written; however, they follow a specific formula, namely that the Gods intervene in the lives of the hero and, that the hero is burdened with a tragic flaw. In Virgil’s Aeneid, it is Aeneas’ dangerous disobedience to the ordinances of theRead MoreBeowulf : The Perfect Hero1279 Words   |  6 PagesZeltner Modern Lit 10/11/2017 Beowulf argumentative essay Beowulf is more than just a story, it’s a cornerstone of modern literature as its dynamic structure and theme display great originality and uniqueness. Given its history, the story plot is certainly original as it was constructed over 1300 years ago. Beowulf is an epic poem in which the plot is intended to portray the unique heroism of German warriors. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. The poem explores his heroism inRead MoreBeowulf: an Epic Hero983 Words   |  4 PagesGauvain British Literature Beowulf Essay 9/22/04 Beowulf: An Epic Hero According to Abrams, the heroic poem is a long verse narrative on a serious subject, told in an elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race. Beowulf fits Abrams description of an epic, exhibiting all of the characteristics listed throughout the book, thus defining Beowulf as a hero and making the book an epic through its elevatedRead MoreHow Beowulf Does Not Embody The Heroic Ideal Of The Anglo Saxons943 Words   |  4 PagesOctober 22, 2015 Beowulf Essay 1) Explore the ways in which Beowulf does and does not embody the heroic ideal of the Anglo-Saxons. Beowulf is an epic hero from the Anglo-Saxon period, who takes on a great deal of challenges and adventures. The character Beowulf embodies the virtues of the Anglo-Saxon culture and beliefs. He incorporate the traits of Anglo-Saxon society with strength, bravery, honor, and the desire to help the helpless. In the beginning of the book, Beowulf travels to help theRead MoreThe True Hero : Exploring Heroic Code1308 Words   |  6 PagesThe True Hero: Exploring Heroic Code in Germanic Society In the great epic Beowulf, the reader is able to delve into the Anglo-Saxon world and grow familiar with the heroic code. As a story passed from mouth to mouth as generations came and went, Beowulf still stands as one of the greatest heroic epics. The story teaches the reader a great deal about the time when it was written. In a world so heavily influenced by the perfect hero, the Anglo-Saxon people were able to look onto Beowulf as a sourceRead MoreCourageous Acts by Heroes in Ancient Literature1546 Words   |  6 Pagesman of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy.† Everyday we listen or read about many great bravery actions done by people and that’s how they will be remembered. Fear is exists in all of us. One cant be a hero or any courageous without fear. Being fearless is not a necessity to be courageous, one simply needs to overlook past or overcome their fears to get this quality. When overcoming fears and going agains t it, there are always risks involved. There areRead More Is Beowulf an Heroic Elegy or an Epic Narrative? Essay4711 Words   |  19 PagesIs Beowulf   an Heroic Elegy or an Epic Narrative?      Ã‚  Ã‚   There is considerable debate as to whether the poem Beowulf is an epic narrative poem or an heroic elegy. Which is it. This essay intends to present both sides of the story.    Some great literary scholars think that the poem is an heroic elegy, celebrating the fantastic achievements of its great hero, and also expressing sorrow or lamentation for the hero’s unfortunate death. In â€Å"Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics† Tolkien states:Read MoreAnalysis Of The Killing Of Grendel 1532 Words   |  7 Pageswho have been harmed by his attacks. Fear is experienced as no one would like to be terrorized and live in fear of another. Fear, as well as Mimesis is found in the form of Grendel’s attack on Heorot. The vivid language that the unknown author of Beowulf uses to describe Grendel’s vicious descent on Heorot not only places the reader in the shoes of the victims and allows them, in a way, imitation of fear experienced by those being attacked at Heorot. As Aristotle points out, reversal and sufferingRead MoreExplaining the Three Stages in The Heros Journey Essay1757 Words   |  8 Pagesreturn (Monomyth Cycle). Each stage has several steps, but the cycle describes the hero starting in his initial state, encountering something to change him, and this his return as a changed person. To further explain this concept, there are a few stories covered in this class that can be used. Beowulf is an epic poem telling the story of Beowulf, a legendary Geatish hero who later becomes king in the aforementioned epic poem. While the story in and of itself is quite interesting, for the purpose ofRead MoreTragedy And Epic Of Beowulf2267 Words   |  10 Pagespoetry, tragedy, and epics. He details the specific characteristics that poetry, tragedy and epic needs to have in order to make it such. The poem Beowulf is a wonderful example of a brilliant piece of poetry, originating from England, tells of the great warrior Beowulf and his battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and finally his last battle with the dragon that terrorizes his city and leads to his death. Considering Beowulf’s death while fighting the dragon, should the poem, Beowulf, be thought of

No comments:

Post a Comment