Dhairya Patil

Jones Taylor

English IS

November 21, 2019

Beowulfian Strengths

“Beowulf” written by an anonymous author, is an epic poem composed in Old English, in

Northumbria, between 700 and 750. This poem takes place in Denmark, in the early sixth

century, where a geat from Sweden, Beowulf crosses the sea to rescue King Hrothgar and his

people from the demonic monster, Grendel. Beowulf becomes the dragon slayer, representing a

besieged community facing evil. Beowulf like all epic heroes, possesses superior physical

strength, defeats demons, gains supernatural powers and provides his people even after defeat.

As all Anglo Saxon heroes, Beowulf is one of a kind, willing to put his life in danger in

order to protect his people. The heroes, especially epic heroes provide their people with a great

sense of honor and security in every action. Alike, Beowulf, throughout his journey of battling

with monsters, puts his life in danger for the greater good of his people. Beowulf displays his

great sense of duty when he accepts his challenge of fighting Grendel. He accepts the challenge

to honor the help of the Geats and to honor his father who pledged his allegiance to King

Hrothgar after a feud had been settled . Lines 73-74 in section III,“living his life - days, his lord

may face and find defence in his father’s embrace! ” explain Beowulf’s motivation to fight

Grendel, and honor his kingdom later on.

Beowulf as strong as he is depicts his supernatural abilities and shows his bravery as well

as vulnerability throughout his battles. Beowulf is able to fight the dragon whose treasure was
stolen, without any weapons and has the ability to stay underwater “for hours” when Beowulf is

challenged to fight Grendel’s mother. This scene depicted Beowulf commitment to save his

community. Beowulf's commitment to serve his community makes him the King of the Danes,

and his responsibility over the kingdom increases, when the kingdom is attacked by a dragon

during his 50 year rule. As every hero needs a helper or a supporter, Beowulf gets the help of the

thegns and Wiglaf who attack the dragon but they are not able to defeat him.Wiglaf and Beowulf

display the characteristic of an epic hero, bravery, when they face the dragon on their own as the

thegns later run for their lives. "Not one foot's space will if flee from the monster," boasts

Beowulf. Although Beowulf was wounded by the treacherous and repellent dragon, he still

defeats the dragon.

Wounded Beowulf, struggles to stay alive, but his death followed as beowulf's warrior

failed to support their king in the battle. In lines 42-45 in Section 43, "Said he was the kindest of

kings under heaven, Gentlest of men, most winning of manner, Friendliest to folk-troops and

fondest of honor," Beowulf’s companions and his warriors mourn his death. According to

Wiglaf's instructions, the dragon's treasure - once thought to be used to benefit his people - is

buried in the barrow. After his 50 year of reign as king, Beowulf is buried on a cliff, overlooking

the sea, in a sense feels like he was protecting his people even after death, and sparing them from

a long held curse. The noble funeral that Beowulf receives paid honor to his his heroic acts,

befitting a king and savior.

Beowulf, as a warrior and as a king of the Danes depicts various epic hero elements

throughout his battles to save his kingdom. From the time when Beowulf is introduced to the

time he is defeated, Beowulf evolves from being all about his victorious battles and his glorious
life to him wanting to fight battles to protect his people. Beowulf's commitment and his resolute

changes him into the King he was. Due to Beowulf's abilities and strengths that he depicts, he

deserved his boasts and his noble burial.