Beowulf What Does It Mean To Be Essay

PAGES
3
WORDS
1011
Cite

Beowulf What does it mean to be good in the world described in Beowulf?

The way that good is described in the world of Beowulf, is as an individual who is: masculine, fearless and strong. The main character (i.e. Beowulf) is the classical depiction of this person. As he will continually, fight and slay the dragon that has been terrorizing the Danes. The way that he acts and carries himself throughout the story is the classic example of the all these elements of good combined into one. As a result, Beowulf is the ideal standard that all males in the community and society should be striving towards. Those who are able to do this will be seen as a hero, who will protect their community and family. ("Themes and Motifs," 2012)

What is the relationship between individual prowess and ethical virtue in Beowulf?

In the story, prowess and ethical virtues are integrated together. The way that this is taking place, is through the character Beowulf. As he is exhibiting, many of these characteristics based upon: his actions, the way he carries himself and his attitude. These different elements give the reader and the other characters a sense of trust in Beowulf. Once this takes place, is when he will use these attributes to show how the monster can be destroyed when they are utilized properly. For everyone, these basic values are the combination of the two different ideas and the individual characteristics they support. After, the monster has been killed, is when the reader can fully understand...

...

("Themes and Motifs," 2012)
In the poem, what does it mean to be a member of the community? How is this meaning communicated?

In Beowulf, a member of the community is someone who is part of the inner circle that discusses local affairs with the King. The way that this meaning is communicated is to have the various individuals express their ideas about bringing in Beowulf to kill the monster. The debate between the different parties is showing how there is a social order that must be followed (with the most influential having a dominate voice). After a lengthy discussion, is when the King will weigh in and the decision is made (by select individuals who are a part of this group). This segregation is showing how certain people are considered to be members of the community (based on their status or nobility). ("Themes and Motifs," 2012)

What is the role of the monster in defining virtue and community?

The monster is the classic definition of evil. This is because, he will attack the village during the middle of the night and he is breathing fire. Moreover, the way that he sneaks around and abducts people from the village is a sign of him lacking values. Once this takes place, is when the monster will become all the negative virtues inside the community. ("Themes and Motifs," 2012)

Evidence of this can be seen with the passage from Section 1 which says, "Almighty made…

Sources Used in Documents:

References

Beowulf. (n.d.). University of Virginia. Retrieved from: http://etext.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/AnoBeow.html

Beowulf. (2011). McMaster University. Retrieved from: http://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/~beowulf/main.html

Themes and Motifs. (2012). Spark Notes. Retrieved from: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/beowulf/themes.html


Cite this Document:

"Beowulf What Does It Mean To Be" (2012, April 19) Retrieved April 19, 2024, from
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/beowulf-what-does-it-mean-to-be-79497

"Beowulf What Does It Mean To Be" 19 April 2012. Web.19 April. 2024. <
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/beowulf-what-does-it-mean-to-be-79497>

"Beowulf What Does It Mean To Be", 19 April 2012, Accessed.19 April. 2024,
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/beowulf-what-does-it-mean-to-be-79497

Related Documents

Beowulf On the surface, the poem Beowulf seems to be a simple tale of a brave hero who triumphs over three monsters and engages in several other battles in order to preserve what is "just" and right. A more thorough reading, however, reveals that the epic poem is filled with events that symbolize historical and social conditions that prevailed during the European reign of the Scandinavians in the seventh century to

Because of its importance to the Anglo-Saxons, and especially because of its ability to transform the Anglo-Saxon society from a pagan to a Christian culture, the contemporary era is in aw of the mere power of Beowulf. Thus, Beowulf is a literary masterpiece on many counts. From its timeless depiction of the struggle of good vs. evil and comic book-like characters who take the world by storm to its symbolism

Heaney's translation may seem a little more indirect since it is in verse, and given from an objective perspective but the message stays the same in both texts. Thus, Beowulf replies to Unferth's challenge by giving this time his own account of his sea experiences and the way in which he had defeated all the monsters. First of all, in both texts Beowulf begins by returning the mockery and

We read, "From his high-born comrades; that hand-picked troop / broke ranks and ran for their lives / to the safety of the wood" (256-9). This is obviously an act of disloyalty because the men do not help Beowulf but disappear into the forest for safety. However, one man remains. Wiglaf does not succumb to feat like others do and we are told, "But within one heart/sorrow welled up:

A hero's failure in the face of adversity is more common in the Japanese struggle, perhaps because the author had to make the narrative conform to history, at least in some of its elements. Also, rather than show how the good works of the hero support all good people, even people who are not immediate members of Beowulf's kingdom, "Heike" is a military struggle of 'us vs. them' although

Beowulf As a Hero Lesson
PAGES 19 WORDS 8817

Your answer should be at least five sentences long. The Legend of Arthur Lesson 1 Journal Entry # 9 of 16 Journal Exercise 1.7A: Honor and Loyalty 1. Consider how Arthur's actions and personality agree with or challenge your definition of honor. Write a few sentences comparing your definition (from Journal 1.6A) with Arthur's actions and personality. 2. Write a brief paragraph explaining the importance or unimportance of loyalty in being honorable. Lesson 1 Journal