Essay on Topic:

Beowulf
The Importance of Warrior Values and Glory in
Society

Made by : Ilia Cheshmedzhiev

Evaluate by : prof.Manchorov

Introduction
Beowulf is one of the best epic hero of all time because in Beowulf, written by Seamus Heaney,

glory motivates Beowulf, and other Anglo-Saxon warriors, to do good deeds in order to receive

eternal life of fame. Despite its creator being unknown, “Beowulf” continues to be one of the

most revised and analyzed epic poems in American and British literature.

The whole plot is connected to gaining that Glory and retain respect of the society.

Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon warrior who try to make something brave and to help his nation,but

will he submit the most important Wariror Values and Gain The Demanding Glory he deserves?

Body
A common thread that runs through the Anglo-Saxon culture’s warrior clan is glory. According

to the Beowulf packet, glory was something that is highly admired in the clan. Their values were

stated as, “The Anglo-Saxons were a Germanic tribe who valued bravery, honor, and glory in

battle” . The values would come into play during battle and Glory would motivate warriors to
brawl against evil. A warrior will do whatever he can to achieve the glory he feels he deserves.

Beowulf’s men were willing to fight to gain that glory no matter what. In this society if you are

a warriror it is a must to witness bravery and try to gain it. In this period there were also evil

monsters and you don’t need to have only bravery but also to have power.The best way to gain

the power is training,but the best way to gain bravery is to attend to and win battles . The

warrior didn’t care what is going to happen and if someone will cause injury.

The wanted to fight and that is the only way to gain power and also a glory . Glory will

motivate warriors in battle, knowing if they win they will become famous, and if they lose they

will still be remembered as a hero . It was important to the Anglo-Saxon clan members to win

glory before death so that they will become known, Beowulf states, “Let whoever can / win

glory before death. When a warrior is gone / that will be his best and only Bulwark” (1387-

1389). Nevertheless warriors would go into battle expecting to not come out alive, but follow

through with the fight because of their motivation for glory. The warriors risk their lives for this

value

Beowulf is also a warrior like the warriors of his clan.His quest for glory includes his battles
with Grendel , Grendel mother and the black dragon.During his mission he never let a
thought about getting in love. He is living a solitary live.He has no son , wife , no friends.
In Beowulf by Heaney, Beowulf had risked his life several times in hopes for glory never
letting the risk of death stop him from fighting menacing creatures. Talking about bravery
the first fight is with Grendel. This is an enormous monster , by the look of the monster no
one of the warrior wanted to face , because not only it has scary look but also has
uncommon power.
The main idea of this fight was not only the bravery of Beowulf but Good versus Evil.
‘’ The men brought their weaponry with them to battle against the monster, however, their
swords were seen to no use, because eventually, Beowulf had ripped the arm from the
monster, hence Grendel fled away into the night, bleeding. In the poem, it says:
Sinews split ,And the bone-lappings burst. Beowulf was granted

The glory of winning;Grendel was driven

Under the fen banks, fatally hurt, To his desolate lair.”

Beowulf vs. Grendel is an epic battle that has continued to be remembered throughout literary
history for its excitement and representation. It is a battle between good and vil, and because
of that, it can be understood by all cultures and people groups. Even though Beowulf and
Grendel are complete opposites, they also have similarities, and that may strangely make us
sympathetic to Grendel’s cause.
An example of this would be when he went to fight Grenders Mother, “Beowulf got ready, /
donned his war-gear, indifferent to death” (1442-1443). This meaning that Beowulf gave no
interest in how the results of the battle will wind up as long as he was glorious for fighting the
trial.He knew that if he win this battles everyone will associate him or his name with power and
glory as well
Much like her son Grendels mother waits to attack.She atacks at night and one of Hrothgars
men as prisoner forcing Beowulf to come in her layer to bring the soldier back home.Grendels
mother attacks out of revenge for her fallen son but find herself down as Beowulf slays
her.Beowulf displays no fear entering the cave nor he shows hesitation in his actions. He
demonstrate willing and power and his actions speak for him. Thanks to his quest , his military
life is prominent. Traveling in Lords orders and being with the other soldiers , his quest thaught
him to recognize ranking and over the time from commander he shows dignity and bravery and
became desirable king
The author explicity describes and demonstrates Beowulf courage by not hesitating , not
showing fear and being smart in strategies . By having power and also being brave he is
victorius again Grendel and Grendel mother . Now is a new threat , a threat that is burning
villages and destroying everything . That is The black dragon .
Beowulf set to pursue the dragon and states “I have never known fear, at youth fought in
endless battles. I am old now but I will fight again , seek fame still , if the dragon hiden in his
cave dare to face me now ” .
This again is a marker for how much power and also how brave is Beowulf even at his current
age he Is still looking for a way to gain new fame . In this passage Beowulf feels no fear and is
confident to fight the dragon alone and has no qualms about risking his wife to safe others He
shows his bravery by saying “ When he comes to me I mean to stand, not run from his shooting
flames,stand till fate decides which of us wins... No one else do what I mean to ,here,no man but
me could hope to defeat his monster’’(I.2525-2534) Beowulf is demonstrating the will to never
back down from a fight ,staying strong in the face of danger,and fighting till the last one
standing.This is a huge marker of bravery also , not everyone is ready to do all this and that is
why here the author shows the factor of his bravery in a very good way.

Conclusion
In conclusion,Beowulf’s bravery is explicitly displayed throghout the poem. A final example of
heroic qualities displayed by Beowulf and his own human power.The mental and physical
strenght is required of a hero. No Dane,before Beowulf’s arrival,was able to defeat the
monsters,much less Grendel himself.Throughout the poem,Beowulf displays
confidence,anger ,sadness,pride,bravery , and protection of those he’s sworn to protect with
actions. In his mission,he gains wisdom and a snse of protecting people other than
himself.Beowulf is an epic poem to read as it tells readers that it is good to have pride,but that
isn’t what makes them better.Readers learn to think about others and not just themselves and
that their actions have consequences. Beowulf’s actions tell us that no matter what it is imporant
to protect the nation and gain the glory he sure deserves
Mentioning Power And Bravery in this poem is very important , because we also learn that if
we do noble things which require bravery and power we will get the most worth things.