The Importance of Minor Characters in Beowulf .
For example in epics, minor characters can be as essential as the main characters. In the epic Beowuf, the charactes of Hrothgar, Unferth and Wiglaf prove necessary to the story.
Unferth plays an important role in Beowulf. Through his quarreling with Beowulf, he reveals some of Beowulf's past achievements. Unferth says, ""You"re Beowulf, are you - the same/ Boastful fool who fought a swimming / Match with Brecca"" (239-41). Unferth's words provoke Beowulf to tell his life story, thereby revealing to the reader the extent of his bravery. Secondly, Unferth's challenge gets Beowulf angry, which provides Beowulf with more motivation to fight Grendel. Beowulf exclaims, ""And when the sun/ Comes up again, opening another/ Bright day, anyone in Denmark/ May enter this hall: that evil [Grendel] will be gone!"" (336-39). Thus, Unferth unknowingly gives Beowulf drive to kill Grendel. All points considered, Unferth's argument with Beowulf reveals the accomplishments of Beowulf and inspires him to kill the monster too. .
Wiglaf's character adds loyalty and tradition to the epic. He proves his loyalty by not abandoning Beowulf when Beowulf gets injured. As the ending iterates, "Wiglaf's/ mind was made up; he raised his yellow / Shield and drew his sword" (758-60). Without Wiglaf's help, Beowulf would have died defeated and in shame. Wiglaf's loyalty to his king continues even after the king's death. He honors Beowulf's wish: ""Build me a tomb [ ] Here at the waters edge"" (810-12). By honoring Beowulf's last request, Wiglaf proves his loyalty to Beowulf. In addition, Wiglaf keeps a tradition alive by taking the throne. Beowulf says in agony, ""You"re the last of our far-flung family"" (821). If Wiglaf refuses to be king, then the family legacy would not continue. Therefore, Wiglaf upholds the tradition. Wiglaf's loyalty and tradition are necessities to Beowulf.
In Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney, the character Beowulf is clearly a great leader and hero. ... Beowulf shows his bravery on many different occasions. ... Beowulf helps people in times of trouble. ... Beowulf did all he could to protect his people. Beowulf represents the ideals of a leader. ...
Beowulf was composed for an audience that would take into account the struggles that the main character took, and the audience would see the poem in its own way. ... One of the most pleasing trends in recent old English studies has been the increasing awareness of the truth and importance of this simple observation. ... Beowulf is a work of fiction, centered on a character and his fights with monsters. ... Many historical and legendary characters and events are mentioned in the poem, and the Danes, Swedes, and Geats provide the necessary background for Beowulf's long and eventful life. .....
Beowulf's selflessness and bravery are shown frequently when he battles Grendel. Beowulf shows no signs of retreat and accepts death as it may come. ... Another quality exhibited by Beowulf is his bravery. ... These qualities, like the later ones, are desirable for a character of his importance. Beowulf displays a sense of strength throughout his life. ...
Many of the characters in the poem such as the Swedish and Danish royal family members even correspond to actual historical figures. ... Despite his borrowing from other sources, perhaps in large quantities, the Beowulf poet nonetheless manages to add his own specialized view of his character's world. ... In addition, the narrator has access to every character's depths and the reader often can see into the minds of most of the characters. ... The battle between Beowulf and the dragon ultimately results in the defeat of both characters. ... One theme that the reader may be able to...
These characteristics are portrayed in the character of Beowulf in the early English epic poem, Beowulf. ... "Not even the sharpest of swords could have cut/ It [Grendel's hand] through, broken it off the monster's/ Arm and ended its life, as Beowulf/ Had done armed only with his bare hands" (Beowulf, 987-990). ... The Danes hail Beowulf as a true warrior hero, one who saves their people. ... (Beowulf, 2641-2659) Wiglaf's scold of his fellow warriors offers a great deal of insight into the importance of the warrior-king figure in society. ... Much of Beowulf is devoted to articu...
Christianity also teaches the importance of modesty. ... This creates an obvious problem when all of the actions and words of the characters suggest that wealth and fame are noble pursuits. ... The characters tend to swing more toward the Pagan side. ... I think that the writer was trying to do what all writers try to do, to make the story and its characters seem interesting to the reader. ... The writer was also able to make the characters more interesting by infusing them with aspects of both Christian values and Pagan folklore. ...
Epic Poetry Traits in "Beowulf" • "Beowulf" is a long narrative poem that is majestic in both theme and style. ... • The story deals with the exploits of a single individual who is Beowulf. ... The hero, Beowulf, is a legendary character of historical importance and significance. ... Epic Hero Traits in "Beowulf" • Beowulf portrays himself as a hero by performing heroic deeds such as defeating Grendel for the fate of his nation in lines 114 - 264. ... His acquaintance with a figure of importance like a king makes him someone of high social status, which is a modern day ...
These gladiators have been many different characters throughout history and one of the most highly esteemed and recognized is Jesus Christ in the Christian faith. ... The character of Beowulf himself in the epic Beowulf is representative of Christ in that he acts as a deliverer to the people of Herot by redeeming them from the evils of Grendel just as Christ delivered people from the evils of their own sins. ... Also, the fact that he accomplishes all of his evil deeds in the darkness of night exhibits that he himself is of caliginous character. ... Jealousy is an everlasting evil that can ru...
