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Proteasa Tudor 3ed year English-Spanish Beowulf- personal honour and commitment From the beginning of the story

we are shown the importance that a leader has for his people and the way they praise him for his actions. Beowulf makes no exception from this idea, especially when he is the central figure of this old Germanic legend around which all the actions take place. The idea that he fights for personal honour comes from a series of goals that he sets for himself. As a young man leaving at the court of his king Hredel- king of the Geats, does not come forward with any noticing acts that could have been placed out of the ordinary. I can say that he had a rather common manhood until he was challenged in a competition by Breka-the son of a noble. This is the twist when Beowulfs pride takes over the monotonous life style that he had and decides to prove himself worthy in front of all the people. The contest consisted in a swimming race which lasted five days and five nights until the two were separated by a storm. The way in which they swam was quite particular as they had to wear heavy armour and carry all the weapons a warrior could carry. The commitment of Beowulf can be seen throughout the entire contest especially when he was left alone, because of the circumstances, and had to fight with all the sea creatures, that attacked him, from the deep. This is said to be the beginning of Beowulfs personal achievement in satisfying his honour. From this moment on his appear to be individualistic because he imposes everyone not to intervene in his battles. As a solitary hero he fights against Grandel and his mother in an attempt to protect another kingdom ruled by Hrodgar-king of Denmark. To prove himself again he decides to fight the horrible Grandal unarmed and only with the power of his fists succeeding to defeat his enemy. In the same way he fights with Grandels mother, he requires no help from his people and relies only on his strength and armour. Both actions reveal the powerful character of the hero but also a great commitment to his people which can be proved by the demands he makes to Hrodgar to protect his men if he is to be killed. Another situation that places Beowulf in the position of helping his people is when he has to defend them from the fierceness dragon. In this situation he now fights from the position of a king fighting for his kingdom and we may say that with time his vision of himself might have changed but it is hard think that the clash between fighting for personal honour and

commitment to others will disappear. On one hand he seeks heroic recognition but on the other hand he fights in a way for his people through which he will achieve this goal. Therefore I think that as a heroic figure he seems like a saviour that fights for personal honour but commits himself to the others so that he can make visible the heroic acts that he has done.

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