... better than Hrothgar, Beowulf has put himself in a position where Hrothgars weaknesses can't reach him. If Beowulf is better than Hrothgar, he doesn't have the same weakness that Hrothgar does. When Beowulf defies his fears and Hrothgar gives in to his again, if only briefly, this seems to upset Beowulf. He could have ... and be the man I expect you to be."" That seems almost patronizing; I certainly wouldn't talk like that to someone supposedly ordained by God. However, Beowulf speaking to Hrothgar as if he's a petulant child seems to snap the king out of his melancholy state of mind. ...

• Word Count: 1647
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... order to go after Grendel. Without any hesitations, Beowulf did not expect any dangers, let alone death, but rather glory and fame. This attribute of willpower is seen again when Beowulf hears of Grendel's mother. Hearing of her vicious attacks, Beowulf suddenly becomes determined and "he leaped into the ... lake, would not wait for anyone's answer" (1493-1494). This implies Beowulf's determination to kill Grendel's mother without thinking, planning, ... there, "he'd go to it aloneHe saw nothing to fear, thought nothing of the beast's claws, or wings, or flaming jaws" (2346-2349) Beowulf...

• Word Count: 1088
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... he is hero is through his courageous acts. Before going into battle with Grendel Beowulf says, "Grendel is no braver / no stronger than I am! / I could kill him with my sword / I shall not, easy as it would be. / I will meet him with my hands empty"" (677-84). He again showed his courage as he plunged into the lake where Grendel's mother dwelled. He ... knows that it is possible to meet his death, but he continues into the water despite of it. Then came Beowulf's later years as king of the Geats. When a fire dragon began to cause terror for the people of his land, he again prepared to g...

• Word Count: 714
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... 's men would sleep out of danger. When Grendel would come to the hall to eat his usual meal of thirty men he would pounce on Beowulf. Beowulf is ready for him, he will need to think fast, and he grabs Grendel's arm so that he cannot run away, and broke his ... human strength. For all of his troubles Beowulf receives compensation for his work. An epic hero mostly receives a choice of compensation: let it be, lady, land, or gold. Hrothgar chose to give Beowulf ancient treasures, and gold, he says ""Save us, /Once more, and again twisted gold, /Heaped-up ancient treasure, will ... reward ...

• Word Count: 1099
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... may purge all evil from this hall." Accomplishing the seemingly impossible task and fulfilling the promise to Hrothgar, Beowulf proves he is loyal and worthy of his classification as an epic hero. Beowulf also exemplifies yet another universal heroic trait: selflessness. He fought valiantly against Grendel and his mother with ... Danes inside Herot. While his men sleep, Beowulf lies awake, eager to meet with Grendel." Beowulf sacrifices his own need for rest to preserve the safety of his men. He continues this selflessness even in his old age, as he once again risked his life for the sec...

• Word Count: 623
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... 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 accomplis...

• Word Count: 498
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... feast for him and his warriors. 5. How is Beowulf taunted by the jealous Unferth? How does Beowulf reply to these taunts? Unferth begins to taunt Beowulf by claiming that he once lost a swimming match against Breca , and says that he will be defeated again by Grendel. Beowulf replies to these claims by calling Unferth a drunk, ... and tells the men the truth about the swimming battle. 6. Describe what happens to Grendel when he raids Herot and finds Beowulf there. When Grendal walks into Heorot he begins by devouring ... a warrior. He strikes to grab Beowulf and is surprised by his stre...

• Word Count: 688
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... memorials held to honor those who successfully changed the world enough to deserve them. The desire for pride cuts through all times, languages, and media. Beowulf is a story of battles fought and glory won through the death of others, but it is not a sword, a powerful hand, or a breath ... dragon's treasure cup and the creature decides, "to requite with fire the theft of the cup" (l. 1407). The burning of the villages attracts Beowulf's attention and once again a creature is slain by the powerful human. If Grendel, his mother, or the drake had the intelligence to accept a tarnished rep...

• Word Count: 1018
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... nouns to refer to the three "immortals" of the Anglo Saxon society, wisdom, wealth and greatness to allude to the king, leaders and warriors. Later, once again, the anonymous writer uses two epithets to make allusion to God and the Devil, giving out a clear example of Christian symbolism (pairs of necessary opposites). This time ... Saxon culture traits. At the very beginning a clear example of predestination is shown. Only the chosen ones by God will grow famous, rich or powerful. Hrothgar reminds Beowulf "[ ] that it will all end, and too soon?"(1734). And that he, who in human unwisdom...

• Word Count: 643
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... epic poem and relevant to our times and life, loyalty, good vs. evil, and honor. I chose loyalty as one of my themes because in the epic poem Beowulf's men were loyal to him. They were there for him when he was in a ruff situation and stayed waiting for him when they had thought they might not see ... him again while the other men had left. Episode 2 "The Geats, sick at heart, sat down and stared at the lake. Hopeless, they yet hoped to set eyes on ... . The reason I chose this theme is that it was basically the whole theme of the story. In this epic poem the good which were the kings, w...

• Word Count: 577
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

I have spent my life seeking fame and fortune, which made me a hero. With my superhuman strength, I became a warrior. However, I was more like a mercenary or contract killer. I go from town to town killing people and creatures for kings and townspeople. Every job I did, I gained more fame and fortune. My life was surrounded by death and murder. One day I heard about an evil monster named Grendel that was terrorizing a town named Herot. They needed me to kill Grendel and save the town and were offering a very reasonable price. I would be saving hundreds of people by killing the monster, but how...

• Word Count: 605
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... her son's head back to the people of Geatland. Beowulf returns home to the Geats with the promise that if trouble shall ever head their way again he will send a thousand men. After King Hygelac and his son die the kingdom is in Beowulf's hands for fifty winters. That is until a dragon ... comes into the picture. Realizing that he was growing old, Beowulf enters the battle with the dragon knowing ... narrative method at times oblique" (Heaney XXVIII). Reading an excerpt from a literature book is not enough for a reader. After reading the excerpt of Beowulf the reader craves more. By rea...

• Word Count: 1162
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... characters in this epic, specifically with the strength and boldness of youth versus the wisdom, but physical weakness of age. A young, fearless and powerful Beowulf initially helps the older, weaker, but honorable Hrothgar defend his kingdom. Hrothgar, once also young and brave, had enjoyed many years of prosperity and peace ... than anyone anywhere in this world "."" (line 110-111) This young Beowulf is able to defeat Grendel by himself with his bare hands by ripping off Grendel's arm. He then must defeat Grendel's mother, whom he again faces alone in battle, although this time he mus...

• Word Count: 711
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... most likely written down by a Christian monk. "Hrothgar's glorious throne, protected by God" (84). This reference shows once again the influence Christianity has on the poem, Beowulf. On the other hand, The Thirteenth Warrior, story is told from the main character, an Arab's, point of view. ... and evil ending. The two themes are almost identical, but they have some small differences. Characterization shows many striking similarities. In the epic, Beowulf is the main character who goes on a quest and fights battles, usually one on one. This same character appears in the movie with ... be...

• Word Count: 869
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... Grendel. Grendel's mom soon arrived and all the men scattered. From this point on the story builds up until it reaches the twelfth year of his attacks again. Grendel- He is a intelligent monster, that isn't sure about the world around him, but is very curious about everything he encounters. He lives with his ... them through till the next Spring. When he is not acknowledged he tends to get angry and attacks whoever disregarded him. Beowulf- Beowulf is the leader of the Geats. He doesn't have any fears, and is always confident. He represents everything that evil isn't, and is a ... Grende...

• Word Count: 1613
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... The Thirteenth Warrior. Buliwyf, the main leader in The Thirteenth Warrior goes to war with the Wendol demons that were attacking King Hrothgar's people. This is a direct reflection of Beowulf, a devoted warrior and leader who fights the evil monster Grendel who was savagely attacking King Hrothgar's people. Many similarities are shown between the cannibalistic Wendols and the inhuman monster Grendel ... . Similarities include technique of attack, setting, and the adverse connection between Beowulf & Grendel, and Buliwyf & the Wendols. Differences are that of an army compared to only one...

• Word Count: 634
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School