As Beowulf lies dying from injuries following a fight against a fire-breathing dragon, he explains to Wiglaf how he wants his funeral to be carried out. During Beowulf's fight with the dragon, Wiglaf is the only one who remains true to his part of the comitatus, the sacred relationship between a king and his men. The men are supposed to dedicate their life to the king under all circumstances. Beowulf wishes for his body to be cremated and tells Wiglaf that he wants "a burial mound/ on the site of his pyre"(3096b-3097a). Before Beowulf dies he gives Wiglaf his helmet and armor, to honor Wiglaf for the courage he displayed in the fighting the dragon.
Beowulf's people honor him with his funeral. According to Beowulf's own direction his people built a special pyre along the Whale's Cliff, which took ten days to make. Along the pyre lay helmets, battle-boards, and coats of chain mail. Wiglaf returned Beowulf's armor because he felt that he could never live up to the standards set by Beowulf, the best warrior ever. It is also appropriate that Beowulf is buried with his armor, which symbolizes his great military success and valor. The armor that protects Beowulf the warrior in life will also keep him safe in the after life. During the funeral the poet acknowledges a Geatish woman grieving for Beowulf "[she said] that she feared [the attacks of raiders], / many slaughters, the terror of troops, / shame and captivity" (3153a-3155a). The Geatish woman represents the hopelessness that the Geatish commoners feel due to the death of their previously flawless king. The Geatish people are also concerned about the future of the kingdom. The one thing Beowulf did not do for the Geats was to arrange for a predecessor. This leaves the Geats with no one to turn to in a time with which the future of the kingdom is in jeopardy. .
Scyld and Beowulf are very similar. They both have great strength and courage and both helped the Danes when they were in need.
Beowulf has many traits that make him a hero. ... Beowulf is able to kill her with a giant's sword that can only be lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf. ... This would lead to Beowulf's last battle. Beowulf goes to seek the dragon in his lair. ... Beowulf's injuries turn out to be fatal. ...
Beowulf Essay by Denny "The Yellow Dart" Fulton In the next four paragraphs will prove that Beowulf has the qualities of an epic hero. ... This essay will show Beowulf's saga as a hero. ... "Fifty winters pass, Beowulf, now an old man, faces his final task:"(that was not my Quote). " Together Beowulf and the young Miglaf kill the dragon, but the old king (Beowulf) is fatally wounded." ... Beowulf taking his last few words to the young Miglaf, the last of Beowulf's family, the new king. ... Beowulf's tower. ...
Beowulf Essay The epic story Beowulf is the most important of all English epics. ... The reoccurring imagery in Beowulf's battles and in describing his mail shirt help prove that Beowulf is an epic hero. The reoccurring imagery describing Beowulf's chain link mail shirt is an example of Beowulf's huge stature. ... When Beowulf stabs Grendel's mother in the head you hear "The iron sang its fierce song, sang Beowulf's strength". ... This imagery shows Beowulf's superior strength. ...
In the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, there are battles between Beowulf himself and several different monsters. ... Loyalty is present when Beowulf chooses to fight the monster for king Hrothgar who had done Ecgtheow, Beowulf's father, a great favor. ... Fate comes into play here when Beowulf defeats and unknowingly kills her son. ... The glory belongs to Beowulf because he defeats her, too. ... As fate would have it, the previously victorious Beowulf is put to the test one more time. ...
Beowulf: An Ideal Hero Beowulf is an outstanding epic poem set in the Anglo-Saxon period that tells the tale of a hero of the land. ... Beowulf is also a courageous warrior capable of overcoming many obstacles. ... Beowulf was the king of his land for fifty years. ... Beowulf did things that no other man would do. Thus, making Beowulf the greatest, most well known hero of his time. ...
Beowulf- The Great of the Greats In the 8th century people were looked at by their character. Each person had important traits, which were very important traits that were admired back then. Some of these traits that were intelligible, they also had to be very honorable and do things fair. The wa...
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. ... Beowulf displays a sense of strength throughout his life. ... Beowulf's intentions are to protect his people, so fear cannot intervene. ...
Beowulf is unlike any other epic hero in the manner in which he fights. ... No sword could hurt Grendle so Beowulf would have beat him by hand alone. ... Beowulf shows his loyalty throughout the story. ... Beowulf showed he is the exact opposite. ... It is easily seen how Beowulf is a great leader. ...
Beowulf also has confidence in his skills as a warrior and as a leader. ... It can therefore be said that Beowulf is a classic Anglo-Saxon hero. ... In the epic poem, none equaled Beowulf's skill as a warrior or as a leader of men. ... Such confidence in skill projects Beowulf as a true Anglo-Saxon hero. ... Regardless of the fact that he smote Grendel bare handed, Beowulf admits a dragon is a formidable foe indeed, so a decision is made to unsheathe Hrunting Beowulf's mighty blade. ...