Despite its continuous aging, the epic poem Beowulf is still currently discussed in modern day English courses, allowing the reader to unfold and discuss certain literary themes associated throughout the epic poem. One arguable theme associated with the Anglo-Saxon styled poem is that if a great warrior can also be a prominent ruler of their land or not. A warrior is usually associated with being victorious in challenging situations, automatically associating themselves as being a great leader or king of a kingdom. However, heroic actions cannot simply determine a great leader, but rather the character’s traits unique to each great warrior which are needed to produce a great leader. Traits such as: god like strength, courage to …show more content…
However Beowulf displayed vital traits needed in a great leader. At his lowest point, Beowulf still gave his all; never accepting defeat. Accepting a taunting task such as this swim requires enough courage as is, but to carry threw and be victorious demands a great respect none can share. This plays into being a great leader when faced with harmful conflict. During times of low moral, many look directly to their leadership to gain motivation. With Beowulf having such great strength and courage second to none, it would allow him to make decisions that would instill confidence and motivation in his men, likely allowing victory to follow. Coinciding with courage and strength, both loyalty and courtesy are two other key elements that lay at the core of being both a great warrior and leader. Beowulf perfectly exemplifies these two traits in his willingness to help Hrothgar and his current need for help. What proves his loyalty doesn’t come straight from his heart, but rather the past and Hrothgar’s history with Beowulf’s father. In order to resolve a gruesome blood feud between the Wulfings and Ecgtheow, Hrothgar paid a sum of money to settle their differences. Hrothgar explains, “This man is their son,/ here to follow up an old friendship” (375-376). Although Beowulf has no obligation to Hrothgar, he understands the sacrifice that was made for his father and is grateful for his past help. Therefore assisting in the slaying of a
In the epic poem of Beowulf, many leadership skills and attributes are demonstrated. Beowulf, as the leader of his band of warriors, makes the evidence of excellent leadership skills clear. He sets an example for his band by being a protector of his people in which, he came to them in a time of need (McArthur). He also upholds the standards of truth and justice by taking the life of Grendel (McArthur). Beowulf also leads his band by having an inspirational vision through his behavior and actions (Loughman). His confidence in his abilities is another factor that plays into his role as a leader (Loughman).
Beowulf’s virtues of courage and strength appear throughout the poem during his life as a warrior and as a king. He begins the story with courage and “the strength of thirty / in the grip of each hand” (380-381), which are vital to his accomplishments as a warrior. His courage and strength are apparent when he fights Grendel without the use of weapons. Both virtues are crucial to his success in that battle and lead him to become a leader of wisdom and stature. As king of Heorot he uses his courage and strength in the battle against the dragon. Before the fight he has a feeling of uncertainty and it is stated “He was sad at heart / unsettled yet ready, sensing his death. / His fate hovered near, unknowing but certain: / It would soon claim his coffered soul.” (2419-2424). His sense of forthcoming death may illustrates a lack of confidence in his ability to slay the dragon; however, it also shows tremendous courage by involving himself in an unevenly matched fight. Although his physical strength may have abandoned him in his last fight against the dragon, his courage and wisdom intensified his glory beyond his death.
One important thing a leader in this society should do is inspire courage in his followers, even in the face of great adversity. Loughman notes that after the Geats arrive in Heorot and learn that the threat of Grendel is real, “[Beowulf’s] comrades willingly go with him because of their confidence in his ability to lead them and to achieve their objectives” (Loughman). This shows that Beowulf has the ability to inspire great courage in his fellow men, despite Grendel being known for carrying thirty Danes at once and ruling uncontested for years. Any less of a leader could not have incited such devotion in his companions, but Beowulf does. This idea is also reinforced by the charismatic leader model outlined by Tom Loughman and John Finley in their “Beowulf and the Teaching of Leadership.” In it, they summarize that “managers” who lead by performing exemplary actions will be more successful, stating that “[t]hrough these
Remembering the kind gesture that King Hrothgar had once done for Beowulf’s father, he shows his respect and loyalty to King Hrothgar by returning the act of kindness. King Hargather had once saved Beowulf’s father from a feud he had with another group of people. Not forgetting this Beowulf comes to Hrothgar’s rescue to return the favor. He also, shows loyalty by protecting the people till his death. After Beowulf was appointed King, he is faithful in keeping his people safe. Although, Beowulf knows that he is too old and weak to kill the dragon, he proceeds with the confrontation because he doesn’t want to let down his people. He stays steadfast to his words and promise to his people. This surely is a heroic character once again portrayed by
The epic poem Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, provides examples of bravery which were valued during the Anglo-Saxon period. Beowulf is at that time known for his superhuman abilities. From defeating monsters such as those who are descended from Cain, first biblical murderer, and a revenge seeking dragon, Beowulf proves that he exhibits great bravery in everything he does. In this work, Beowulf’s battle against Grendel and the dragon portrays that an effective and noble leader expresses immense bravery by protecting their people while keeping thoughts of fame and glory in mind.
The epic poem Beowulf is told throughout history, and from generation to generation Beowulf’s strengths stayed the same. Examining his super human strength, extreme bravery, and high morality, shows exactly how much of an epic hero he really is. The life of the “strongest geat” (456) Beowulf is dangerous, but his life is also a story to tell that is so interesting to hear. The darkness that lurks behind every corner, will soon be brought into the daylight. The story that is told, but never forgotten will go down in history. The power that Beowulf himself possess is unimaginable, and unbelievable, therefore
During the medieval times Vikings were known as warriors or heroes. These heroes were known mostly for their superhuman strength. Most stories tell the journey of these warriors and how they are honored after defeating an evil creature. A prime example of this would be the poem of “Beowulf”. Beowulf is known for his superhuman strength as the Vikings or warriors once were. However, Vikings were not only known for their physical qualities, they were also known for their leadership in battle and their interaction with those they serve as well as the courage they displayed. In this poem, Beowulf displays many characteristics as that of a medieval warrior through his acts of bravery, loyalty, generosity, courage, and an accomplishment of a great task.
1. Introduction Beowulf, a fearsome warrior, travels to the Danes homeland in order to protect them from the evils of Grendel and his mother to the frightening dragon. He is a symbolic form to the Anglo - Saxon’s due to his heroics and strength to push through when nobody else will. The epic poem Beowulf displays Anglo- Saxon culture by the belief of fate in a society where both glory and loyalty heavily influence the peoples values and nature.
The heroic ideal of the Anglo-Saxon culture, governed by traits of bravery, loyalty, and generosity, is a driving force which contributes to the creation of a legendary hero. Within the epic poem of Beowulf, the main character Beowulf displays bravery, loyalty, and larger than life characteristics (derived from the heroic ideal). For the Anglo-Saxon’s, their main goal after death is to be remembered, in all of their glory, as a hero. Because of this endeavour, Beowulf allowed his traits of bravery, loyalty, and larger than life characteristics to help achieve both honor and glory; it was his usage of the heroic ideal that allowed him to reach his full potential and become legendary after death.
Epic heroism is epitomized by the remarkable Anglo-Saxon warrior Beowulf, the protagonist of a powerful poem named for this exemplar. True to a legendary hero, Beowulf embodies qualities of virtue and strength that are unparalleled in the common man. His youth is characterized by awesome displays of physical strength, unmatched by others. Beyond his brawny, unyielding exterior, there exists a compilation of equally mighty virtues that endure and motivate him throughout his life. Beowulf is compelled by loyalty, lineage and honor. He is also motivated by bravery, courage and confidence. Remarkably, it is his boastfulness and pride that may ultimately be a fatal, tragic flaw for this compelling warrior. Indeed, Beowulf’s greatness physically, spiritually and morally make him the ultimate epic hero.
Beowulf’s first showing of his loyalty was when he heard about Grendel and decided to go defeat this monster. “When he heard about Grendel, Hygelac's thane was on home ground, over in Geatland. There was no one else like him alive. In his day, he was the mightiest man on earth, high-born and powerful. He ordered a boat that would ply the waves. He announced his plan: to sail the swan's road and search out that king, the famous prince who needed defenders” (Beowulf, Line 195-201). His decision to go and help the Danes was one of debt, for he knew of Hrothgar and had helped his father during exile. As Beowulf and his men arrived to Hrothgar’s kingdom, his guards didn’t know about this man coming, but when they saw him they were just excited knowing he could be the one. “We belong by birth to the Geat people
At each step of Beowulf’s career, it appears loyalty is his guiding virtue. As noted beforehand, the character comes to the aid of the Danes for reasons, which are complex and difficult to understand. Without a doubt, he has an interest in gaining honor and increasing his reputation. Leaders make the most achievements through
In the great anonymous literary epic, the titular Beowulf travels above and beyond expectations of a run-of-the-mill hero. Outstanding courage, fierce loyalty, unshakable honor, and unnatural strength are all present to ridiculous degrees. The idiosyncrasies of his personality might seem odd to a person of the modern-day, but they are all explained easily by Anglo-Saxon culture. To them, these traits were to be valued above all things.
The epic poem Beowulf reveals many skilled leadership qualities that still have relevance in today’s society even though an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet wrote it during the Dark Ages. The ancient poem recounts elements that every great superior possesses, not only through the epic warrior Beowulf himself, but through other characters as well. Beowulf demonstrates that a leader has confidence; “He is absolutely fearless and supremely confident in his own abilities” (Loughman). The hero dedicates himself to the fight and his people, no matter the circumstances. “An elderly Beowulf puts on his armor for one last hurrah” (Post). He does not show arrogance, but possesses humbleness and has a modesty about him. “Do not give way to pride” (McArthur). Thus, the poem represents these heroic standards of confidence, dedication, and humility that create a charismatic and fearless leader.
Continuing off of a short introduction they begin discussing how the epic poem Beowulf can be used “to further an understanding of leadership in general” (Loughman and Finely 156). To determine what type of leader he was and how it may affect his men they had to go through a series of steps which was: