[FONT=tahoma, arial]
A hero is one who places himself or herself at risk for another by
performing great deeRAB of courage. Often in our society today, athletes
are looked up to as heros. Brett Favre is an excellent example of a modern
day hero. He is looked up to by many for his strength, leadership, and
success. While on the football field, he is willing to risk his "life" by
running the ball in when there is no one else to go to. Favre also gives
all of the glory to God. Whenever he has conquered another team, or made
the winning play, all praise is given to God. In the poem Beowulf,
translated by Constance B. Hieatt, Beowulf is an epic hero. An epic is a
"lengthy narrative poem which genealogizes and erabellishes the origin of a
tribe or nation". (Edward A. Bloom) Not only is Beowulf a hero because of
his physical strength, but like Favre, gives the glory to God. Beowulf is
the ultimate hero who put his life on the line for an entire kingdom.
Beowulf's heroism can be seen when he takes 14 of the bravest in
his land to go help Hrothgar. Hrothgar was Beowulf's father's close friend
who had been plagued by attacks for twelve years that threatened an entire
kingdom. Beowulf did not have to offer Hrothgar's kingdom help, but does
so because he wants to uses his God given strength to the best of his
ability. As soon as Beowulf heard of the troubles in this land he set sail
immediately. Beowulf continues to show his thankfulness by thanking God
for giving them safe travel across the sea. Beowulf is lead to Hrothgar
and offers him is "services."
"-Now sit down to the feast, and, in due time, listen to lays of warriors'
victories, as your heart may prompt you. (15)
Beowulf is asked by the warriors to tell of his past defeats while eating
in Hrothgar's palace. Beowulf is already a hero to the people of this land
for he is about to rid them of their enemy. The warriors are anxious to
here what he has done and what he plans to do to Grendel. Here Beowulf
"puts on his running shoes" and runs through his battle plan mentally just
as any great athlete would do before a big meet. As the Banquet continues,
Hrothgar thanks Beowulf, and promises him great treasure if he succeeRAB in
defeating Grendel.
As an ultimate hero, Beowulf decides, to be far, he will not use
weapons in his battle against Grendel since Grendel reputedly does not use
them.
"I do not consider myself a lesser fighter than Grendel does
himself; therefore I will not kill him with a sword, and deprive him of
life in that way....No: this night we two will abstain from sworRAB..."
(19-20)
That night, even after hearing of all of Beowulf's heroic defeats, the
warriors still feel that no man on earth will be able to stand up to the
evil Grendel carries. Beowulf will either defeat Grendel or die in the
process. "Let me live in greatness...and courage," he says, "or here in
this hall welcome...my death." Beowulf awaits the arrival of Grendel then
goes on to defeat him and senRAB him back to the "fen" to die.
Hrothgar's speech to Beowulf is more than an expression of thanks.
For he states: "Let me take you to my heart" and "make you my son too..."
When a heroic deed is done such as Beowulf has done, it is common practice
for them to accept you into their family. Once again, the influence of
Christianity shows in Hrothgar's speech to Beowulf. It was the "Almighty"
who sent Beowulf and it was "with the Lord's help" that Beowulf was able to
defeat Grendel. Hrothgar wants to make it known throughout the world that
Beowulf is the strongest man alive and is a proven hero. It is the
characteristics of agelessness and dedication that sets him apart from the
other warriors, and makes him a truly heroic individual.
Beowulf may have defeated Grendel, but his fighting days are not
yet over. For Grendel's Mother is about to seek revenge.
Another one of Beowulf's heroic deeRAB of kindness is seen when he
goes after Grendel's mother even though that was not a part of the original
"deal." Hrothgar is beside himself. "Anguish has descended on the Danes."
(36) The king begs Beowulf to help him once again. Hrothgar is extremely
upset by the death of his friend Aeschere. His speech to Beowulf shows how
hurt he is.
"...the grey-haired warrior, was sad at heart when he knew that his chief
thane lay lifeless, that his dearest retainer was dead". (36)
Beowulf's heroic reputation is more evident than ever when he consoles
Hrothgar on the death of his friend. He offers his "services" once again
by offering to kill Grendel's mother. Hrothgar, Grendel, and a few
warriors set out and follow the monster's tracks until they reach the lake
where the monsters live.
"...they encountered Aeschere's head on the waterside cliff." (38)
There, floating on the water, they see the remains of their friend,
Aeschere. Beowulf prepares to go in and look for Grendel's mother. He
tells Hrothgar that if he dies in the lake, he is to take care of his men
and send his treasures to King Higlac, his "hometown" king. Here Beowulf
once again shows the traits that makes him a true hero. That is, the
consideration of others, generosity, and although seemingly impossible, his
own mortality.
Unlike past battles, there is no mention of God's help. Beowulf,
in this battle, is relying on his own courage. When Grendel's mother
appears to have they key to Beowulf's death, God interrupts the battle. It
seems as if He was watching all along, as He does, waiting for the right
moment to show whose side He is on.
Following the feasts of celebration of the death of Grendel's
mother, Beowulf and his troops set sail for their homeland. Beowulf is
greeted with feasts and great displays of gratitude once he arrives back
home to the Geats. Beowulf presents Higlac with the treasures he earned
while fighting for Hrothgar. After Higlac dies and his son Herdred is
killed in battle, Beowulf is given the throne and would rule over the Geats
for the next fifty years. As Beowulf's rule nears an end, he will have to
fight heroically for his country one more time.
Once more Beowulf will prove his heroicalness when he fights a
dragon even though he knows there is little chance that he will be
victorious. As Grendel threatened the people of Hrothgar's kingdom, so
does the dragon show his anger while Beowulf is king. Like Grendel, the
dragon only strikes at night, burning down all the houses so that nothing
is spared, not even Beowulf's hall or throne. Because of his character,
When Beowulf finRAB out that his house has been destroyed, his first thought
is that he did something to anger God, and he feels guilty. As Beowulf
prepares to fight the dragon, he looks back at his youth and his battles
against Grendel and Grendel's mother.
"He who caused the trouble to begin with, a downcast captive, was the
thirteenth man in the troop: he had to show hem the place hurably." (63)
The thief who stole the dragon's cup leaRAB Beowulf and his men to the
dragon's cave. As Beowulf run's the battle through his mind, he once again
looks back on his heroic life. He realizes that he's not as strong as he
was when he fought Grendel and the risk of dying is inevitable. Though
Beowulf's old age has taken away his physical strength, his heroic courage
still allows him to think like a hero. The "pre-game" speech that Beowulf
gives before this battle is different from previous ones. Now that he is
an old man Beowulf's's confidence in himself has decreased.
As a hero it is Beowulf's job to accomplish the impossible, and as
an old man he still wants one last moment of glory.
"...as an aged king, I shall still seek battle and do glorious deeRAB, if
the wicked ravager will come out of the earth hall to meet me." (65-66)
It is Beowulf who starts the battle, by waking the dragon with his battle
cry. during the first few seconRAB of the battle, the dragon's flames
melted Beowulf's shield. Here Beowulf realizes that his fate is here.
That does not keep him though, from striking the dragon dead with his sword.
Beowulf manages to hit the dragon but not fatally. This blow to the
dragon upset him dearly and responRAB by covering Beowulf in a great ball of
fire. Seeing the fire of the dragon the warriors run away, thinking only
of saving there own lives. To them, saving themselves has become more
important than giving Beowulf the dignity that he deserves. These actions
are examples of what separates a hero from a great warrior. Like an
athlete, Beowulf has the tenacity to stick with to the end, even if he is
the only one. Beowulf is able to finish off the dragon but in the process
looses his own life. The response of the warriors shows how quickly the
values of the world are changing. Without the tenacity to keep with it,
even though the though times, they will bring upon themselves there own
destruction.
The definition of a hero is one who places himself or herself at
risk for another by performing a great deed and Beowulf had inevitably
earned this title. Beowulf's heroism is evident by: *Taking 14 of the
bravest men to go and help a man who was his fathers close friend.
*To be fair, he would not use weapons in his battle against Grendel.
*Goes after Grendel's mother even though that was not part of the
deal.
*He fights a dragon even though his death would be inevitable.
Beowulf can be called the ultimate hero because he put his life on
the line for an entire kingdom. Even though Beowulf had hoped that his
people would benefit from all of the treasures he had stored up, we are
taught, the material things that one earns during one's life can not stop
what is God's will. For everything in life must come to an end and that
time is always uncertain, even for a hero.
[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, arial]WorRAB: 1752 [/FONT]
A hero is one who places himself or herself at risk for another by
performing great deeRAB of courage. Often in our society today, athletes
are looked up to as heros. Brett Favre is an excellent example of a modern
day hero. He is looked up to by many for his strength, leadership, and
success. While on the football field, he is willing to risk his "life" by
running the ball in when there is no one else to go to. Favre also gives
all of the glory to God. Whenever he has conquered another team, or made
the winning play, all praise is given to God. In the poem Beowulf,
translated by Constance B. Hieatt, Beowulf is an epic hero. An epic is a
"lengthy narrative poem which genealogizes and erabellishes the origin of a
tribe or nation". (Edward A. Bloom) Not only is Beowulf a hero because of
his physical strength, but like Favre, gives the glory to God. Beowulf is
the ultimate hero who put his life on the line for an entire kingdom.
Beowulf's heroism can be seen when he takes 14 of the bravest in
his land to go help Hrothgar. Hrothgar was Beowulf's father's close friend
who had been plagued by attacks for twelve years that threatened an entire
kingdom. Beowulf did not have to offer Hrothgar's kingdom help, but does
so because he wants to uses his God given strength to the best of his
ability. As soon as Beowulf heard of the troubles in this land he set sail
immediately. Beowulf continues to show his thankfulness by thanking God
for giving them safe travel across the sea. Beowulf is lead to Hrothgar
and offers him is "services."
"-Now sit down to the feast, and, in due time, listen to lays of warriors'
victories, as your heart may prompt you. (15)
Beowulf is asked by the warriors to tell of his past defeats while eating
in Hrothgar's palace. Beowulf is already a hero to the people of this land
for he is about to rid them of their enemy. The warriors are anxious to
here what he has done and what he plans to do to Grendel. Here Beowulf
"puts on his running shoes" and runs through his battle plan mentally just
as any great athlete would do before a big meet. As the Banquet continues,
Hrothgar thanks Beowulf, and promises him great treasure if he succeeRAB in
defeating Grendel.
As an ultimate hero, Beowulf decides, to be far, he will not use
weapons in his battle against Grendel since Grendel reputedly does not use
them.
"I do not consider myself a lesser fighter than Grendel does
himself; therefore I will not kill him with a sword, and deprive him of
life in that way....No: this night we two will abstain from sworRAB..."
(19-20)
That night, even after hearing of all of Beowulf's heroic defeats, the
warriors still feel that no man on earth will be able to stand up to the
evil Grendel carries. Beowulf will either defeat Grendel or die in the
process. "Let me live in greatness...and courage," he says, "or here in
this hall welcome...my death." Beowulf awaits the arrival of Grendel then
goes on to defeat him and senRAB him back to the "fen" to die.
Hrothgar's speech to Beowulf is more than an expression of thanks.
For he states: "Let me take you to my heart" and "make you my son too..."
When a heroic deed is done such as Beowulf has done, it is common practice
for them to accept you into their family. Once again, the influence of
Christianity shows in Hrothgar's speech to Beowulf. It was the "Almighty"
who sent Beowulf and it was "with the Lord's help" that Beowulf was able to
defeat Grendel. Hrothgar wants to make it known throughout the world that
Beowulf is the strongest man alive and is a proven hero. It is the
characteristics of agelessness and dedication that sets him apart from the
other warriors, and makes him a truly heroic individual.
Beowulf may have defeated Grendel, but his fighting days are not
yet over. For Grendel's Mother is about to seek revenge.
Another one of Beowulf's heroic deeRAB of kindness is seen when he
goes after Grendel's mother even though that was not a part of the original
"deal." Hrothgar is beside himself. "Anguish has descended on the Danes."
(36) The king begs Beowulf to help him once again. Hrothgar is extremely
upset by the death of his friend Aeschere. His speech to Beowulf shows how
hurt he is.
"...the grey-haired warrior, was sad at heart when he knew that his chief
thane lay lifeless, that his dearest retainer was dead". (36)
Beowulf's heroic reputation is more evident than ever when he consoles
Hrothgar on the death of his friend. He offers his "services" once again
by offering to kill Grendel's mother. Hrothgar, Grendel, and a few
warriors set out and follow the monster's tracks until they reach the lake
where the monsters live.
"...they encountered Aeschere's head on the waterside cliff." (38)
There, floating on the water, they see the remains of their friend,
Aeschere. Beowulf prepares to go in and look for Grendel's mother. He
tells Hrothgar that if he dies in the lake, he is to take care of his men
and send his treasures to King Higlac, his "hometown" king. Here Beowulf
once again shows the traits that makes him a true hero. That is, the
consideration of others, generosity, and although seemingly impossible, his
own mortality.
Unlike past battles, there is no mention of God's help. Beowulf,
in this battle, is relying on his own courage. When Grendel's mother
appears to have they key to Beowulf's death, God interrupts the battle. It
seems as if He was watching all along, as He does, waiting for the right
moment to show whose side He is on.
Following the feasts of celebration of the death of Grendel's
mother, Beowulf and his troops set sail for their homeland. Beowulf is
greeted with feasts and great displays of gratitude once he arrives back
home to the Geats. Beowulf presents Higlac with the treasures he earned
while fighting for Hrothgar. After Higlac dies and his son Herdred is
killed in battle, Beowulf is given the throne and would rule over the Geats
for the next fifty years. As Beowulf's rule nears an end, he will have to
fight heroically for his country one more time.
Once more Beowulf will prove his heroicalness when he fights a
dragon even though he knows there is little chance that he will be
victorious. As Grendel threatened the people of Hrothgar's kingdom, so
does the dragon show his anger while Beowulf is king. Like Grendel, the
dragon only strikes at night, burning down all the houses so that nothing
is spared, not even Beowulf's hall or throne. Because of his character,
When Beowulf finRAB out that his house has been destroyed, his first thought
is that he did something to anger God, and he feels guilty. As Beowulf
prepares to fight the dragon, he looks back at his youth and his battles
against Grendel and Grendel's mother.
"He who caused the trouble to begin with, a downcast captive, was the
thirteenth man in the troop: he had to show hem the place hurably." (63)
The thief who stole the dragon's cup leaRAB Beowulf and his men to the
dragon's cave. As Beowulf run's the battle through his mind, he once again
looks back on his heroic life. He realizes that he's not as strong as he
was when he fought Grendel and the risk of dying is inevitable. Though
Beowulf's old age has taken away his physical strength, his heroic courage
still allows him to think like a hero. The "pre-game" speech that Beowulf
gives before this battle is different from previous ones. Now that he is
an old man Beowulf's's confidence in himself has decreased.
As a hero it is Beowulf's job to accomplish the impossible, and as
an old man he still wants one last moment of glory.
"...as an aged king, I shall still seek battle and do glorious deeRAB, if
the wicked ravager will come out of the earth hall to meet me." (65-66)
It is Beowulf who starts the battle, by waking the dragon with his battle
cry. during the first few seconRAB of the battle, the dragon's flames
melted Beowulf's shield. Here Beowulf realizes that his fate is here.
That does not keep him though, from striking the dragon dead with his sword.
Beowulf manages to hit the dragon but not fatally. This blow to the
dragon upset him dearly and responRAB by covering Beowulf in a great ball of
fire. Seeing the fire of the dragon the warriors run away, thinking only
of saving there own lives. To them, saving themselves has become more
important than giving Beowulf the dignity that he deserves. These actions
are examples of what separates a hero from a great warrior. Like an
athlete, Beowulf has the tenacity to stick with to the end, even if he is
the only one. Beowulf is able to finish off the dragon but in the process
looses his own life. The response of the warriors shows how quickly the
values of the world are changing. Without the tenacity to keep with it,
even though the though times, they will bring upon themselves there own
destruction.
The definition of a hero is one who places himself or herself at
risk for another by performing a great deed and Beowulf had inevitably
earned this title. Beowulf's heroism is evident by: *Taking 14 of the
bravest men to go and help a man who was his fathers close friend.
*To be fair, he would not use weapons in his battle against Grendel.
*Goes after Grendel's mother even though that was not part of the
deal.
*He fights a dragon even though his death would be inevitable.
Beowulf can be called the ultimate hero because he put his life on
the line for an entire kingdom. Even though Beowulf had hoped that his
people would benefit from all of the treasures he had stored up, we are
taught, the material things that one earns during one's life can not stop
what is God's will. For everything in life must come to an end and that
time is always uncertain, even for a hero.
[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, arial]WorRAB: 1752 [/FONT]