The story of Beowulf wee-wees place in a term when Christianity was start to spread to early Danish pagan societies which valued brassy deeds and heroism above every last(predicate) else. The creatures that Beowulf kills with his superhuman mights oblige the story an epic which celebrates the brio of a colossal perplex shape. Among Beowulfs triumphs against the triad great monsters, to a greater extent Christian truths overly come to glitter. The equitys of faithfulness and surrender for the good of others, as sound as the cast out consequences from avarice and exuberant presumption be woven into the story. The geeks of Grendel, his female parent, and the genus Draco are devices used by the author to teach these determine, and overly ramify an entertaining adventure story of an epic admirer. Grendels character helps keystone the image of Beowulf who contrasts as a great hero. Grendel is first-class honours degree degree exposit as the crea ture of disgust, grim and fierce, and was rapidly ready, godforsaken and cruel, and seized from the first thirty thanes. [Heaney, 5] There is a crocked Christian influence as well because Grendel is a descendant of Cain and is therefore rejected by God, damned to live in gross(a) suffering. When Grendel appears, he is wearing Gods anger which is the opposite of the Danes who celebrate Gods sympathy in their victory feasts at Heorot. [Heaney, 15] Grendel is described as an discontentedness creature term the Danes are regarded as living in joy and blessed. [Heaney, 5] after(prenominal) a long reign of terror, Beowulf ultimately kills Grendel by ripping off his arm. The arm is a symbolism of Beowulfs say-so since it is from his hand to hand struggle with Grendel. Beowulf is visualized as the great hero who gains victory over a miraculous being, which no other man could defeat. When the arm is hung up in Heorot, Beowulfs bravery is celebrated and it is obvious that bravery is a right that is extremely resp! ected among the Danes. Beowulfs actions could be seen as a request for credit and fame, exactly his bravery drop also be interpret as the ultimate sacrifice. Time after quantify Beowulf puts his sprightliness in the hands of fate to help others. other(prenominal) Christian virtue is self-devotion for the good of others. Beowulf risks his life when he opposes Grendel and later on, Grendels overprotect at the bottom of the lake. His get off d induce to the bottom of the lake is similar to a journey to hell. He travels heap struggleds and on his charge many monsters attacked him in the water, many a sea-beast tore at his mail shirt with war tusks, conflicting creatures afflicted him. [Heaney, 29] Beowulf kills Grendels return yet though the betting betting odds are stacked against him since he is non in his own ele ment. Beowulf is in the lair as a blaze intellectualened, light shone indoors just as from the sky heavens candle shines attract appears to Beowulf as Grendels mother falls dead. [Heaney, 30] This is a testament to the perfect(a) evil in the lake which was lifted at the moment of Grendels mothers death. Pagan influence is seen as well in this expiration in the sword which was used by Beowulf. Giants, supernatural beings, make the sword and its hilt is twisted and ornamented by snakes. [Heaney, 32] It is humorous that the sword is that was supposedly crafted by Giants who were chargetually wiped out by humans, now saves Beowulfs life who is a human and not Grendels mother. Grendels mother and the tophus help to express another(prenominal) important virtue of loyalty. For instance, when Beowulf is in the lake, after nine hours Hrothgars men give up on Beowulf, only if his men stop steadfast even though they are sick at heart. [Heaney, 30] Loyalty is seen again when all of Beowulfs men flee during the battle with the tophus eject for Wiglaf. Even though he is afraid, Wiglaf understands self-sacrifice and loyalty, so he wi llingly risks his life to save Beowulfs. After the ot! her men, crept to the wood, defend their lives, Wiglaf remained with a heart surged with sorrows: nothing can ever round aside kinship in him who meaning well. [Heaney, 46)] Wiglafs values are rewarded in the end when Beowulf chooses him to be the successor to his res publica. dapple virtues are rewarded, punishments are also effrontery for those who are not virtuous. For example, greed is considered a punishable sin. Beowulf resists greed when he chooses to involve Grendels head back from the lake with him instead of all of the treasure. This is also another example of Beowulfs superhuman strength because it took four fixing men to carry the head while Beowulf was able to blow with it to the top of the lake with it.
However, fame and success is valued more than wealth in their society. When Beowulf is chosen king, it is for his heroism and loyalty to the introductory king, not his wealth. covetousness is punished when the dragon that has spent his holy life guarding treasure, and attacks Beowulfs land over treasure, is killed. The dragon is depicted as a terrible creature, even worse than Grendel and his mother who at to the lowest degree had some human qualities. The dragon is described as the evil spirit who began to vomit flames, burn bright dwellings; blaze of gouge rose to the horror of the men, the deadly transient thing would retire from nothing alive. [Heaney, 43] Pagan influence is also seen in the dragon. The dragon is an infamous mythical creature that is too strong for even Beowulf to slay alone. The dragon is used to state Beowulfs impuissance which is excessive pride. Beowulfs great deed s as a hero eventually earn him a throne but in the e! nd when he is compel to choose betwixt being a hero or a king, he chooses to try to be a hero again. Hrothgar, a clean king, warned Beowulf that his pride would get in the way in the future, but Beowulf forgets this advice when the dragon attacks. Hrothgar told Beowulf many years before, break no conduct for pride, great warrior. Now for a time there is corona in your might; yet is before long shall be sickness or sword that with diminish your strength accordingly shall be that death will overcome you, warrior. [Heaney, 33] Beowulf does not take this advice. Beowulf leaves his realm to battle the dragon instead of stay with his kingdom in their greatest time of need. This time, instead of risking his life as a self sacrifice like he did against Grendel and his mother, a real sacrifice would have been for him to stay in his kingdom instead of trying to be the courageous hero changeerly again. However, Beowulf chooses the heros path and in the end, he has a heros death. Beo wulfs decision to fight the dragon can be looked at as a form of greed in its own right. In the end, Beowulfs pride as a hero triumphs over the virtues of loyalty and sacrifice for the good of others. If you want to get a sound essay, influence it on our website:
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