How does Beowulf compare to the other heroes we've discussed this year? Does the character fit the characteristics of an archetypal hero (see handout)? How does Beowulf follow in the tradition of our Greek heroes? Where does he diverge?
Monday, September 12, 2011
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ReplyDeleteBeowulf is like the other hero’s we have discussed this year because he is a great leader of a vast nation who has a strong influence on his people. He is wise and intelligent and knows how to run his army. He is cunning and calm so it shows his leadership skills. He is not rash and always thinks before he does anything so his plan is carried out well. This is like the hero’s we discussed this year because hero’s are displayed as strong figures who have supporters and are intelligent people who create big plans in order to overcome their obstacles. Thinking back, I think that Beowulf is much like Odysseus because they both are male human leaders who had a strong influence on those around them and the nation they fought for. Beowulf and Odysseus are similar because both are smart and experienced fighters who have to have hands on combat. They are both smart thinkers who do not act on impulse but act on observation and analysis of the situation. They are two men who are looked up to by their people for being in the people’s favor.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf can be seen as an archetypical hero because he has no personal helper or sidekick except for his army and he being human makes him not invincible. Beowulf does not have a dark origin because we know that he is born to a strong king. He is always in danger from fighting in war and Grendl. Beowulf does not have a guide either because he had to learn to be a king by himself. His actions are clear because he needs to protect the people from the monster. He is being a good king it by being good to the people. Lastly, Beowulf is a male leader.
Beowulf follows in the tradition of our Greek Heroes because he is a strong male figure that has an influence on a big crowd of people. He is strong and smart in many ways and fights his way to power. He conquers land and this is like Greek heroes because they also fought in war in order to spread their power and name. The Greek heroes and Beowulf are similar because they both have supporters and are warriors who fight against those who go against them. Lastly, both Greek and Beowulf have enemies that are in their way of success. Beowulf is different from the Greek heroes because he is human and has no help from any Gods. Beowulf is a cunning leader who does not react on impulse and is calm about the decisions he makes. Much of the Greek heroes were rash and physical and much of the times they did not think before they act. In addition, some of them had much guidance and help from the Gods and Goddesses in order to win the war or anything in life. Beowulf depended on his intelligence and self perseverance.
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ReplyDeleteBeowulf compares with the Greek heroes that we learned about earlier this year because he has all the qualities of the Greek heroes. These qualities include being brave, generous, and having a sense of right judgement. In the stories of the Greek heroes, each hero always ended up having a devious side to them. They all seemed to have either a shady past or an unknown mischievous characteristic trait. But with Beowulf, there are nothing bad to say about him. Since he came to rule, he was expected of much greatness and he was always able to succeed. Beowulf does have the same "characteristics of a hero" because he had a mysterious origin, a muscle-bound physique, had a guide, and most like other heroes, he is male. Beowulf comes from a mysterious origin because he was an orphan. No one knows for sure who his real parents were. He obviously had a strong and muscular physique for he was able to defeat Grendel when no one else could. Beowulf's guide was definitely his father, Shield. Shield was a great leader and Beowulf had a lot to live up to. Beowulf tries to follow the footsteps of his father by being generous and maintaining a strong military. The values that are conveyed through the "Prologue" and "Fight with Grendel" were that being a generous, loyal, and wise ruler could give you much advantage and loyalty and if you have the right intentions, you should be able to be a great ruler.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf compared to other heroes that we talked about this year is a little more clear. His story his a little more clear about where he came from, how he was born into the world, and his personality and character was presented a little more clearly. Also, some of the Greek heroes that we read about tend to be mischievous and contained some bad qualities as Beowulf was good and patient and was wise. Beowulf can be characterized sometimes as an archetypal hero because he sort of does come from mysterious origins because he was an orphan and we don’t know who his parents are. Beowulf is very clever too and patient and smart but he also isn’t invincible either, he just has a really strong physique. Beowulf is called upon to follow in the footsteps of the king which is considered his father, and to be a good leader. Beowulf’s actions aren’t very unclear, I think it’s pretty straight-forward during the story. Beowulf is set with dangers but I don’t think loneliness or temptation set in. So far, Beowulf doesn’t really have a companion or side-kick but when Grendel comes to try to kill Beowulf, the Dane’s kinsmen try to watch him and see what he’s doing. Beowulf doesn’t really have a guide, if anything maybe he could use the king’s, or his father’s, actions to try and follow them. So far, I don’t think that Beowulf descends into darkness and changes after that, he was pretty much consistent throughout the stories so far. Beowulf, seeks good leadership, justice, and I guess loyalty from the people that he leads. Beowulf is a male also. Beowulf follows some of the traditions that our Greek heroes have because he is clever and also he is well-minded and overall has good intentions for his people. He diverges by being an all around good hero so far, and some of the Greek heroes sometimes took things in the wrong ways and ended up messing things up. Beowulf seems to have everything under control and is a collected, smart, and wise hero. Values that were conveyed in the “Prologue” and “The Fight with Grendel” are that if you have good intentions and are collected, wise, clever, prudent, and patient, then you will be a good leader overall.
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ReplyDeleteBeowulf is a man who became an illustrious hero in English literature. His origin is mysterious in that he is an orphan and the prologue does not clearly state where he was from. While he is known to be prudent, strong, and courageous, he is boastful and haughty. He uses his cockiness to comfort himself in battles; however it was seen as a flaw to others. His quest was to reign as king in his father figure’s footsteps and to protect the people. His path was not always clear as there is never a “true way” to rule a tribe. Beowulf faces danger by constantly risking his life for the Danes and refusing help from anyone. His mission is accompanied with a mighty army composed of friends and kinsmen. He doesn’t necessarily have a guide since he doesn’t like receiving help. So far, he doesn’t seem to descend into darkness but it is possible that he will later on in the story. Through the dangers that he is beset with, he finds friendship and patience and understands the importance of accepting help.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to the other heroes we have discussed this year, Beowulf is a strong, intelligent leader. His composure allows him to think calmly, and collectively; his decisions are wise and are well thought out. Beowulf is also very strong, and powerful, thus making him a good military leader. The heroes discussed previously were all heroes of war and battle who were successful. Beowulf’s attributes therefore make him similar to other heroes. Like other Greek heroes, Beowulf is an influential person who has the loyalty and support of the people. He leads his nation to victory, due to his strategy and strength. Both Greek heroes and Beowulf experience hindrances that may delay their success, but ultimately gain the upper hand to defeat the foe. Unlike some traditional Greek heroes, Beowulf is exceedingly smart and poised. For example, the Greek hero Hercules was not very smart and let his emotions get the best of him. He lashed out in anger, hurting those whom he loved the most. Unlike Hercules, Beowulf is described as clever, canny, and thinks before he acts. This saves him from making rash and foolish decisions, often what led to the fall of many Greek heroes. In addition, Beowulf is a human with great abilities, not a god or offspring of a god. He has no form of help from great beings or others with magical powers. Beowulf is alone in that sense, for there is no powerful source looking over him, willing to aid him when he is in need.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf has many characteristics alike of an archetypal hero. Though we know who his father is, we do not know much about the other aspects of his life. Though Beowulf is exceedingly strong and mighty, he is only human and can be defeated. He has all the flaws and weaknesses of a man, and is not invincible. Beowulf is faced with danger (Grendl), and has the responsibility of protecting and ridding his people of this evil. His people stand by him because of his generosity and caring attitude he displayed as a prince. Beowulf is a mighty and heroic male leader who has the greatest abilities among mankind.
Beowulf compares to the other heroes we discussed this year because he was able to stand up to a challenge of becoming a leader and a king. He is a prince who has to take his father’s kingdom. Beowulf does fit some of the characteristics of an archetypal hero. He doesn’t follow all of the characteristics because he is kinder, patient, smart, and a great leader. Greek heroes sometimes trick, stray away from their goals, are overconfident in during their adventures, and sometimes don’t even turn out to be a great leader. Like other Greek heroes, Beowulf comes from a mysterious origin because he is an orphan and no one knows where he came from. It seems that Beowulf is invincible but he is not. He did outsmart Grendl, who was portrayed as a monster, and defeated him, but Beowulf is only human. This is similar to Greek heroes because some outsmart the monster in order to kill them. He is called upon to a goal by following in his father’s footsteps in becoming a king. He is a generous king and probably a better king than his father. Beowulf doesn’t really have a clear way of ruling a kingdom which says that he can rule anyway he wants. Just like in Greek hero stories, Beowulf had a great danger who was Grendl trying to eat everyone in Heorot. He was able to defeat him in battle while staying calm and collected. Beowulf never gives up in his quests or ruling his kingdom and he is never given into temptation. Beowulf has no friends or companions to help him throughout his journey, which means he is doing things alone. This differs to Greek heroes since Greek heroes usually have companions or people to help them throughout their journey. At first Beowulf has his father as a guide to how to rule a kingdom but after he died, Beowulf was alone and left with a kingdom to rule as his own. Beowulf has never descended into the darkness because he is able to fight his own battles and never strays from his goal. Beowulf grows throughout his childhood because when he was younger he was a beastly and strong, but now he grew up and is patient and more mature. Beowulf is a male. Beowulf diverges from following the traditions of Greek heroes when he is able to be smart in his decisions for his people and for himself, especially while fighting with Grendl.
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ReplyDeleteBeowulf consists of the qualities of being brave, strong, smart, generous, and uphold good leadership skills. Compared to the Greek heroes that we have learned about, Beowulf is actually handed down the kingdom of his father and he works on his own to be responsible for this position. What also makes him different from the other heroes is where his life started out. Most of the Greek heroes had a bad past or came from a bad origin, but Beowulf did not have any of that.
ReplyDeleteI think that Beowulf does have the same “characteristics of a hero” because he has a guide, which is to reign as king just like his father did. He was there to protect his people and he cared about them. He also is a male. I don't think that he falls to the dark side because he was a very nice person.
Values that are conveyed through the prologue and the fight with Grendi were that being smart and cautious of our actions it will lead us to great success and for Beowulf he did become a great leader through his generosity and loyalty.
Beowulf compares to our Greek Heroes because they all have the characteristics of a hero. For example Beowulf was the next in line to rule after his father Shield Sheafson so he had to be as they said in the prologue “prudent” or a person who acts with thought and care for the future. I believe all heroes should do this because they have to care for the people in order to be heroes. The Greek Heroes are ready to fight and take over when its needed as well as Beowulf especially in the “Fight with Grendel” he proved that he was a person who was ready to fight and go beyond to protect the people, just like his father before he passed. The heroes in general always have another person taking over for them after their reign is over. Heroes should be strong fighters and both Beowulf and the Greek Heroes were strong fighters. The heroes also are persistent for example Beowulf didn’t let go of Grendel’s arm, he fought until the end where Grendel’s arm came off.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf like I have stated has the “characteristics of a hero” as the archetypal hero as well. A typical hero is believed to be a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for bravery, outstanding achievements, or dignified qualities. Beowulf was just this because he was a man who was admired for saving the sleeping people before Grendel could eat them limb-to-limb. Heroes should also be generous and Beowulf and his father were nothing but generous. They always provided for there people and they always did all they could to help the people.
I think that Beowulf is like Odysseus because they both are male leaders who have a strong authority on the people around them and the nation in which they risk their life for. Beowulf and Odysseus are similar because they are both clever and skilled fighters. They are both intelligent thinkers who do not act on whim, but on examination of the situation. They are two men who are looked up to by their people. Beowulf can be seen as an archetypical hero because he has no sidekick with the exception of his army. Beowulf does not have a dark origin because we know that he is born to the generous Shield Sheafson. When he was born the nation felt a sort of relieve because they knew that they will be protected because Beowulf’s father was such a wonderful leader. He conquers land and this is like Greek heroes because they also fought in war in order to spread their power and name. Both Greek Heroes and Beowulf have enemies that are in their way of their triumph. Beowulf is different from the Greek heroes because he is human and has no help from any gods and/or goddess.
Beowulf exhibits many qualities similar to those of Greek heroes. Like many other Greek heroes, Beowulf is a leader of a great nation. For example, Odysseus was the king of Ithaca and he led his men bravely into battle. Also, like Odysseus, Beowulf is clever and strategic. Odysseus was able to get out of many sticky situations in which he could have died, simply due to the fact that he was smart and cunning. Beowulf is also very levelheaded and skillful. Beowulf certainly thinks before acting. In the story of how Beowulf defeated the Grendel, the author describes how Beowulf patiently waited for the most opportune moment to attack. Furthermore, both Odysseus and Beowulf display great courage in fighting their foes. They do not allow their enemies to frighten them; they keep their spirits high and fight bravely. Beowulf also shows extraordinary strength in defeating his opponents like many Greek heroes.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf has most of the characteristics of the archetypical hero except that he is not from a peculiar origin. Beowulf was sent on a quest to uphold his father’s kingdom as well as be a good, generous, king. Also, his way was blocked by dangers and threats along the way. Beowulf’s guide may have been his father because he was raised to follow in his father’s shadow and rule as his father did. For example, we read about him having to fight the Grendel. On the other hand, Beowulf did not come from an obscure origin. He inherited his father Shield Sheafson’s kingdom. Beowulf grew up learning how to rule a country and fight in gruesome battles. He was born to follow in his father’s footsteps. Beowulf was raised to be a hero.
The values that have been identified through “The Prologue” and the “The Fight with Grendel” include leadership, bravery, and generosity. Beowulf assumed the role of king after his father died and he had to become a good leader for his people. Beowulf shows great leadership in fighting wars and ruling his country. Also, Beowulf displays bravery when leading his people in a war or when engaging in a one on one battle like in the “Fight with the Grendel”. Lastly, Beowulf must be a generous king because according to Shield, the best king is one that is giving. These qualities of Beowulf reveal him to be a strong and giving leader, making him a hero.
Beowulf is similar to the heroes that we have look at so far in our English class, but he is also different from them. Beowulf is similar in his characteristics. He, like most of the other heroes, were very brave. They were willing to die for the people they loved, or for people in general. He is also strong. He, like the other heroes, were unusually strong. Much stronger than the average person. Also, Beowulf was a man, like the vast majority of heroes in general.
ReplyDeleteDespite theses similarities, Beowulf was also very different from all the other heroes that we have studied so far. For one thing, Beowulf had family. He was the son of Shield Sheafson, who was a great leader. Beowulf had someone that he had to live up to, if anything surpass his father. Meanwhile, the other heroes usually didn't have any family, or if they did, their family was killed. The other heroes didn't have any family to support them and encourage them, unlike Beowulf. They did not have anybody to ask for advice, or to take comfort in. They were on their own. Another difference between Beowulf and the other heroes is that Beowulf was very clever. Unlike some of the other heroes who just acted without thinking of the consequences, Beowulf thought about things before he acted. He waited, and thought about the best way to take on a situation. Also, Beowulf did not have a mission or quest to make. He just found his own way, and became famous by his own doing. Unlike the other heroes who for the most part had a path set out for them.
Beowulf is similar to other heroes that we have studied this year because he is strong, fierce, and courageous. These qualities are similar to the ones of the Greek gods. Overtime, Beowulf matures and gains the qualities patience and calmness. He is wiser when making decisions when he is fighting. Beowulf is not invincible, is beset with dangers, and he is a male who is courageous. He is strong and has many achievements. These qualities of Beowulf are also those of an archetypal hero. Beowulf follows in the tradition of the Greek heroes because he is courageous, intelligent, and a strong leader. He goes into battle with a well thought out plan that helps him come out victorious. Beowulf is different from the Greek heroes because he is calm and patient. The Greek heroes tend to act on impulse. Also, Beowulf did not have any help from the gods, he fought his battles alone. The Greek heroes usually had help from the gods when fighting their battles.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf is portrayed as generous, strong, and clever making him like many of the Greek heroes. He is also brave and courageous because he killed the terrifying monster saving all of the people in his town. This is being a good prince and trying to live up to his father’s name. Beowulf kind of reminds me of Theseus from mythology because Theseus was strong and brave in his journey of finding the monster in that story, Medusa. Beowulf has some of the “characteristics of a hero” as the archetypal hero. He comes from semi-mysterious origins because we find out in the epic poem that he was a “foundling”, an orphan. But we also know that his father was a well-known king, King Shield Sheafson. Although Beowulf has all of these grand characteristics, he is still a human, therefore he may be defeated if his enemy is intelligent enough to out-smart him. Beowulf was beset by the dangers of the blood-thirsty monster, Grendl. And like most heroes, Beowulf was male. Some values that are conveyed through the “Prologue” and “Fight with Grendl” are to be a giving leader and your people will back you up and be supportive of your decisions. Beowulf was very generous and he protected his people from being in danger of the monster. Since he protected them everyone would thankful and be willing to let him lead their society because he proved himself.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf is the hero of Old England. Contrary to the archetypal hero criteria, he is not of obscure origin; he is the son of a king. From his birth, he is seen as “a comfort sent by God to that nation,” a man whose “name was known through the north.”
ReplyDeleteAs is the case with most heroes, Beowulf is not a fool. He is very strong and brave, described as an “alert hero.” He is not invincible, however, and is somewhat foolish - quick to rush into battle with the 'monster' Grendle. Beow has a lot of faith in his own strength, but this could also be seen as overconfidence. I predict that at one point in the story, his pride will tempt him to rely completely on his physical strength, making him vulnerable to an enemy's tricks.
We have not touched yet on Beowulf's feelings and mission, but the prologue mentions that, he as a “prince must be prudent” and generous to win the support of his countrymen. No set path is laid out for him to reach this goal. As a leader of his country, he is expected to find his own way. In these ways, Beowulf's situation is similar to the heroes we've discussed.
Beow definitely encounters danger. An Old English champion, he is quick to fight and defend when there is a challenge.
In concordance with the hero archetype we've studied, Beowulf is surrounded by supporters and family - accompanied on all his ventures.
In some sense, Beowulf has a mentor and guide - the example of his father, "one good king," to follow. Beow's father is dead, though, so he cannot hope to receive advice from him. The model of his late father is definitely an unorthodox pattern for him to follow!
Beowulf hopes to gain the help and support of his subjects. As he fights and defends his country, he gains many loyal followers - just as a prince is supposed to. This is only a symbol of what he eventually comes to, however. In the end, Beowulf is certain in his *strength* and *confidence*, traits that he developed in his search for countrymen to be his companions.
We have read only part of the story of Beowulf, but I predict that as it continues there will be a time when he descends into darkness, just like most archetypal heroes do.
Lastly, as is true of most of the heroes we have studied, Beowulf is a male.
Unlike the honor and majesty that were hoped for by the Greek heroes, the approval of one's compatriots was very much desired in Beow's days. It was believed that “behaviour that's admired is the path to power among people everywhere.” In some ways Beowulf was an unorthodox hero, but perhaps he was personifying some of the different values and ideas of the Old English time period.
Like many of the heroes we have learned about this year, Beowulf is described as a clever, strong, and generous. Beowulf gains many things, like he has a sense of making the right choices, which matures him. Also overtime he transforms and becomes more patient and wiser. He matures and makes better decisions in the spur of the moment, like for example, if he was in a fight. He was brave because he fought the monster Grendel and killed it, while saving people in the town. Beowulf may be strong and brave, but he is not invincible, like the other heroes. Beowulf has the basic outline of what a hero is for example he was a leader, brave, intelligent and more. He was smart and intelligent because when he went into battle, he would have it planned out, and end up winning. There are also some differences between the Greek heroes and beowulf. The Greek heroes usually ended up having a bad side to them or a dark side, but Beowulf was very successful and intelligent. The Greek heroes, usually didn't think things through and let their feelings interfere with their actions. Greek heroes had help from the God's during battles, but Beowulf fought his fights solo. Also his background is very equivalent to other heros, like he is mysterious because he was an orphan, so we don't know much about his early life as a child. He grew up with a guide in his life, and most important he was male. Majority of the heroes are male and like Beowulf and the many other heroes, they all had muscles. Beowulf definitely had some standards to live up to because of his father, shield, his father, was a very generous man too. From the "Prologue" and "Fight with Grendel" the values that were learned was that if you are kind and loyal, then people will trust you and they will know that you intentions are true, then that is how to be a wise and great leader.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf is both similar and different to many of the Greek heroes we studied earlier in multiple ways. Beowulf is very smart and has tons of knowledge. He knows exactly what to do when Grendl comes into Heorot to try to destroy everything. He remained calm and killed Grendl. Beowulf is strong, he is considered to be similar, in strength, to that of the Greek hero Hercules. Beowulf often fights and defeats many unusual creatures, like the Greek heroes, but he is not invincible. His final battle takes place against a dragon; he kills the dragon but is soon after killed by the dragon’s poison. Similar to many of the Greek heroes, like Odysseus, Beowulf is on a mission. His goal is to keep all the people of his kingdom safe and to conquer other territories so that he could have more land. Just as Perseus receives help from Hermes and Athena on his quest to get Medusa’s head, Beowulf receives help from many people. His army provides him with lots of support; they respect him and do as he says. Beowulf’s family is also a great help to him. In fact, one of Beowulf’s relatives warns him that Grendl is coming to kill and take over Heorot. The numerous encounters with strange and unusual creatures never end for Beowulf. One after another, he defeats these evil and horrific creatures. All heroes have a certain “standard” of being strong, smart, cunning, brave, generous, and determined, Beowulf lives up to and exceeds these standards.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, he is also different from some of the Greek heroes. He is not from a very mysterious origin, he is a Danish prince. His father is Shield, the Great King of the Danes. Beowulf is also a great king like his father. He always knows that his job is to be the best king he can be and to live up to the standards set by his father. Unlike some of the Greek heroes, he doesn’t really descend into the darkness. He is always focused on following in his father’s footsteps by leading the Danish people. In a way Beowulf finds what he is looking for by becoming one of the greatest and most famous heroes to ever live.
Although the excerpts we read did not give a lot of detail about Beowulf, we do know about him. Beowulf is like the other heros we learned about this year because they have the very similar characteristics. Both the Greek heros and Beowulf are viewed as giving, courageous, and make the right choices that not only benefit themselves, but the people around them. Like most Greek heros, Beowulf was also male and had a good body image, since he was able to defeat Grendel.
ReplyDeleteAngela Wong
ReplyDeleteBeowulf is a popular character in the Old English poem which was written many centuries ago. Beowulf also follows many archetypes that associate him with a classical Greek hero. For one, Beowulf is neither invincible or a fool, and demonstrates a bit of this quality when fighting with Grendl. Certain Greek heroes also share this quality through their many adventures or battles with other characters.
Beowulf also represents a hero because he is made to follow a specific goal. After his father, the great King Shield Sheafson dies, Beowulf becomes entrusted to rule his father’s nation. In the “Prologue” of this epic poem, the narrator says, “Then it fell to Beow to keep the forts. He was well regarded and ruled the Danes for a long time after his father took leave of his life on earth.” As a prince who ruled his father’s land after he died, Beowulf is represented as an intelligent, loyal, and generous leader. He gains the support of his people by his smart decisions and generosity that was also shown through his father. Because Beowulf is human, he also represents that archetype that heroes have flaws and weaknesses.
Another known archetype found in many Greek hero stories, is an adventure the character goes on which is beset with many dangers. While night fell and Beowulf was pretending to be sleeping at home, his in law Grendl came into his home with a motive to kill Beowulf. Grendl who is described to be fierce and monster-like approached the sleeping home. Beowulf waits for the perfect moment to attack and when he does, battle and bloodshed ensues. Many Greek stories also feature heroes fighting and encountering many dangers.
Despite the many archetypes that make Beowulf similar to a Greek Hero, he does not come from unknown origins. Many Greek heroes had father’s or mother’s that were gods, allowing them to have special powers, qualities, or beauty. However Beowulf was born to Shield Sheafson and his name was known throughout the north. As a son born to a great king, Beowulf the prince was expected to be prudent and just like his generous father whom the people adored. As a male character in this epic poem, Beowulf proves to be a character with many qualities that depict him to be a hero.
Beowulf can be easily compared with many of the great Greek heroes, such as Hercules for example. From just reading the prologue and "Fight With Grendl", we see a very strong and courageous character in Beowulf, much like Hercules. Not only is Beowulf similar to Hercules, but also Odysseus. Both were royalty, Beowulf a prince and Odysseus the king of Ithaca. As a great leader, Odysseus led his men into battle. Beowulf shares the same characteristics as Odysseus such as cleverness, cunning, and a cool head at the heat of battle. For Beowulf, this is shown through the Fight With Grendl. In one point of the battle, Beowulf waits for the best time to attack his opponent.
ReplyDeleteThe character of Beowulf does fit the archetypes of a hero. He is born into a family with great power, he is a male, and he is not a fool but not invincible either. It is mentioned in the excerpts that he is a very clever prince.
And also, as a human, there are no special powers given to him. His strength comes from his own diligent hard work.
Values that have been displayed in both excerpts are bravery, generosity, strength and leadership. Beowulf, a single human is brave enough to face Grendl (who is described as a monster) in order to protect his son's hall. Beowulf won this major battle, as expected of an archetypal hero. This not only shows his bravery, but also his strength in defeating Grendl. Beowulf, as not only a prince but also as the future ruler of the Danes, his father urged him to be a generous person. This way, when the time comes and the men must go to war, Beowulf will have companions at his side to support him.
Beowulf compares to the other Greek heroes because he shares the same characteristics as the heroes. He was the son of a mighty king whose name was known throughout the land, Shield Sheafson. Beowulf is described as a strong and fearless person, which does not make him invincible in any way. When his father died, it was up to Beowulf to take his father’s place and rule the Danes. It would have to be through his leadership to prove to the people that he was a good leader. Everything that Beowulf did was for the safety of his people. He did stumble upon some dangers, but never loneliness and temptation. For example, one of the dangers he had to face was the fight with Grendel. Through this fight, he showed qualities on how a hero should act. For example, he was strong, brave, clever, and showed that he was a leader. As a great king, I believe that Beowulf did have a couple of friends to keep him company. For example, when Beowulf was fighting, Hygelac's kinsman was watching. The guide of Beowulf would have to be his father. Well, because he had to live up to his father’s expectations and prove to the people that he, too, can be a great king. Throughout the story, there was not a part where Beowulf fell into darkness. He was always helpful and hardworking. Just as other Greek heroes, Beowulf was also a male. Beowulf was a great leader and very dependable. If someone had to take the throne when Shield Sheafson died, I am glad that it was Beowulf.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf was a strong, passionate, smart, cunning, and a natural born leader. He did not come from mysterious origins because he was the son of a king named Shield Sheafson. Beowulf was definitely human, compared to the Greek heroes where some of them were half-divine or marvel heroes who had special powers. According to the "Fight with Grendel", Beowulf actually seems to be invincible since he was stronger than the captain of evil himself. The Greek heroes would go off course from their journeys and take side trips while Beowulf is very focused. Both Beowulf and the Greek heroes, on the other hand, were faced with dangers. Beowulf fought and prevailed against Grendel who was considered to be the "bane of the race of men" and "God-cursed". Compared to other heroes who descended into darkness and came out different, Beowulf did not change. He was always a prudent prince, a might warrior, strong, and smart. Typically, Beowulf is a male hero just like the Greek heroes we have learned about. Beowulf was not long them though..who had bad qualities like being selfish and vulnerable. He was all-good and did not possess any bad qualities whatsoever. He was the ultimate hero and king.
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ReplyDeleteBeowulf was a magnificent hero in the eyes of many. He was the son of Shield Sheafson who was a good king according to his people. He described Beowulf as a "cub in the yard" referring to him as cute but a fierce beast inside. When Sheafson passed, Beowulf took the throne and responsibilities that his father left behind. He is very similar to the Greek heroes that we have studied earlier this year. One reason is because he has the strength and confidence in himself to take over his father's throne and treat the people just like he did. He was also very strong because when his father passed, he took it all in and supposedly didn't show a sign of his suffering. Another reason is because Beowulf is also very knowledgeable and wise when he's in a predicament. For example, when the terrible monster Grendl was going to cause destruction to Herot he knew exactly what would stop this beast. The character Beowulf is somewhat a hero because he did come from an obscure origin given that he was an orphan. Another reason is because he is not dumb, nor invincible. On the contrary Beowulf is quite smart but not a god, he is not invincible. As for his goal for his journey I think, is to do his father proud. It's because Beowulf wasn't able to see his father off. As for Beowulf's ways, they are unclear to me because I can't really understand. His ways are beset with danger and no loneliness or temptation. He was beset with danger when he was fa face with the Grendl that was a horrifying monster. However throughout his many journeys he doesn't really gain anyone, but when he takes the throne he gains the companionship of the people. He didn't have anyone to guide him and never descended into the darkness. Beowulf was also male like the mythological heroes in Greek Mythology. Overall, Beowulf was a very strong and wise young man that rose from a mere prince to a
ReplyDeleteOne example is in the Odyssey we see Odysseus as a complex character and in many ways is like Beowulf. The way they were both brought up had an impact on their characters. He is like many other Greek heroes also. He was considered higher and better to those around him just as our Greek heroes were. Beowulf demonstrates the traits of the perfect hero. The poem of Beowulf tells a story about his great heroism. Just as the Greek heroes were with conflicts he fought such as Grendel. Many of his traits described would be heroic traits. He was described as a warrior in his youth. The values conveyed through the “Prologue” and “Fight with Grendl” are to be openhanded, loyal and a wise ruler. If you follow these values and have right and justice intensions then your will rule over people who praise you and respect you.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to many of the qualities shared among the Greek heroes we had discussed during Greek Mythology, Beowulf shares some of the same characteristics as them too. One of which includes strength, many Greek heroes fight against creatures and all types of evils and go about long adventures doing so. Beowulf too has to travel on journeys just to defeat the evil that is bothering his people and brings terror to his country. He is a smart, cunning, strong, brave, and courageous hero, traits that are similar to the Greek heroes that we’ve reviewed.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf displays the ideal characteristics of an archetypal hero as well. Beowulf doesn’t necessarily come from any mysterious origins but being the son of Shield, the Great King of Danes, he is also assumed the many roles of fighting for his country, which then displays his leadership and bravery. Heroes are called to frequently encountering many difficult obstacles and dangers; one of Beowulf’s successful missions was for him to defeat the devious Grendl, who of course poses a major threat to his people of which he must get rid of. Heroes are called upon to undergo these dangerous journeys and fight against monsters, or those who bring evil to the people; Beowulf accomplishes this type of journey through dominating his opponent in the “Fight with Grendl.” As far as clarity is concerned, from Beowulf is usually very clear and always goes along with the same straightforward intentions unlike the ways of usual heroes. In the battle against Grendl, the Danes were one of his helpers towards defeating Grendl and contributed in the mission. Beowulf wants the best intentions for his people and he wants to do whatever he can to prevent harm from coming in any way. Beowulf is a hero built upon by good intentions and that is very admirable about him. Because he is a male, he is able to display many great strengths and abilities the role of any male hero should follow too. Overall Beowulf’s major values would be his strength that allows him to defeat danger, loyalty and leadership role for his people. Lastly, Beowulf is wise, he appears to be like a very intelligent hero who knows what he needs to accomplish and how to do so.
Beowulf compared to the other heroes that we’ve discussed this year is quite similar and analogous. Beowulf is described as having great strength and being a strong fighter. He is truly brave and inhabits self-confidence, which are analogous characteristics for a strong leader. He chose to fight Grendel without protection, due to his high confidence and hubris faith in his strength. Many of the other heroes that we’ve discussed this year inhabit these strong and courageous qualities. Beowulf’s weakness is to be very hubris and bombastic, which is similar to many other heroes such as Achilles. Another similar hero that Beowulf compares to is Odysseus. At the end of Odysseus’s final destination, he manages to take back all that he had. Throughout Beowulf’s life, he manages to be respected as a strong King. In both of Odysseus and Beowulf’s lifetime, they used great strength and bravery to defeat their enemies. All of the heroes that we have discussed this year, including Beowulf, has great skills in battle and victorious of defeating their enemies.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf has the characteristics of an archetypal hero. His past origin is quite a mystery because we only know about the father. Beowulf is truly brave and strong, but he still has weaknesses. Beowulf is pure human and totally not indestructible. Beowulf was able to defeat Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and fought for the Geatish throne. When Hygelac and Headred died, Beowulf became king of the Geats. After ruling for 50 years, a dragon battled Beowulf into a duel. Due to this incident, Beowulf suffered mortal injuries. A great amount of Greek heroes were strong, cautious, and smart. Unlike the Greek heroes, after the death of the Hygelac (king of the Geats), Hygelac’s widow offered Beowulf the throne but he declined. Beowulf declined because he wanted Hygelac’s son to succeed the throne. Then after the death of Heardred, Beowulf became the king of the Geats. This action showed characteristics of thoughtfulness. Also before his death, Beowulf differs of the other Greek heroes, by his prophecy that the Swedes would attack the Geats. Beowulf has great strength, high confidence, and truly bombastic. Similar to many of the previous heroes that we’ve discussed this year, Beowulf is a courageous hero and still, 100% human.
Beowulf is a hero and he compares to the Greek heros that we've compared in Greek mythologies. He's very strong and clever. He is trained at a very skilled level strategically and mentally when it comes to situations of capturing or assassinating a enemy creature to protect his own. He does fit the characteristics for a hero in various ways. We don't know much about his life and him personally, but he is known as a hero and a protector of the innocent and life saver. He is very strong and brave, and he comes from a very known and powerful family and bloodline. He follows in the tradition of the Greek heroes because he defeats harmful creatures and he is known for his bravery and various adventures. Many people have great respect and honor for him in the society. He puts his life in danger to protect others and himself. They honor him and rely on him to keep them safe and lead their community.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf compares to the other heroes we have discussed so far this year by being characterized as flawless hero. He is a strong warrior similar to the heroes in Greek stories. He was also very brave, cunning, and intelligent. He was able to defeat his enemies with miniscule difficulties, such as Grendel. Beowulf was also generous and kind to people, he was never mean or selfish at all.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf was not from a mysterious origin. In fact, he was the son of Shield Sheafson, who was also a great warrior. Beowulf was invincible, but he was not a fool. He was still human, meaning that his human emotions and such could cause problems for him. However, he was not foolish, and he knew very well what to do in certain situations. He first thought about it, and then he carried his plan out instead of being hasty and doing something without any thoughts. Beowulf’s did have a goal, which was to defeat Grendel. He also has to live up to his father’s name and expectations that was set out for him. In the future, though, he will encounter more problems along the way. His life was not planned out for him, instead he does not know his future and what lies ahead of him. Beowulf’s life has been filled with dangerous adventures. However, since he was a good hero, he was never faced with loneliness, or temptation. It is not stated whether Beowulf had a partner or companion at all. Beowulf’s guide was his father. His father set out expectations for him. He wanted Beowulf to be an excellent warrior, just like him. Also, Beowulf must have had someone helping him because he must have had help to become a great warrior. Beowulf descended into darkness when he fought against Grendel. He gained insights about fighting and defeating his first enemy. He developed skills and knowledge about his ability. He was a male.
He follows tradition of the Greek heroes because he was similar to them. He had some traits that made him unique, however. He was brave, just like many Greek heroes. He was also smart and cunning about his problems. He is different because he does not have any Greek god or goddess helping him with anything, as he is fighting.
From what I have read, Beowulf is actually quite like many of our Greek heroes. He fits many of the same “characteristics of a hero”. I think he had somewhat of a mysterious origin, but only because he was born as the son of a great king. He was human, so he was definitely not invincible. However, it was obvious that he was intelligent and strong. His battle with Grendel was a quest that he had to take on. Including Grendel, Beowulf did have to go through dangers, monsters, and pain. Since he was a well known, liked, and respected ruler, many people followed him. As far as I know, he did not have a guide. I can’t say that he was seeking an object, but he did seek for treasure. Finally, Beowulf is a Male character. Like Most heroes, he was a well known figure that many looked up to. He was a man with a good combination of strength, intelligence, and kindness (generally speaking). The Prologue shows that people had high expectations for him because of his father, Sheild Sheafson. His father was one of the Greatest and most generous rulers. It seemed like a lot of pressure on Beowulf, but he turned out to be a great ruler himself. The Fight with Grendel shows off Beowulf’s best qualities. In the face of danger, he was as calm and collect as a person could be. He demonstrated his intelligence and wit by tricking the “monster” Grendel. He finally showed his strength when he overpowered the helpless Grendel.
ReplyDeleteLike many heroes we have studied this year, Beowulf is a strong ruler. Similar to Odysseus, Beowulf is canny, clever, and strategic. He has a strong and calm composure that allows him to think clearly and to anticipate his next action. He is definitely an archetypal hero. Beowulf does not derive from obscure origins. His father's rule is passed down to him. He is therefore the heir to his father's town of Heorot. The fact that Beowulf was an orphan and his father's identity is the only background information revealed to the reader. Although Beowulf has surpassing strength, he is not invincible. He can still be overpowered and succumb to stronger and overbearing creatures. Beowulf is only human and has faults like any ordinary person. His father Shield, may have been his guide because Beowulf was prepared to take over his father's responsibility. Beowulf had to be prudent while his father still lived, so when his father passed, people would already be by Beowulf's side, respecting and supporting him.
ReplyDeleteUnlike the other heroes we have discussed this year, Beowulf is careful and consequential. He is one of the few heroes that considers his decisions/options and consequentially thinks how his they will affect others.
The portion of Beowulf that I have read thus far exhibits that he did not have any assistance. Beowulf simply has his knowledge and good judgment to help him succeed as a hero. In contrast, most Greek heroes had assistance from the gods, like Jason and Odysseus.
Beowulf is liable for protecting the people of Heorot. His selfless and prudent behavior guide him to victory as he earns admiration among the people. He is what people call a distinguished hero.
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ReplyDeleteBeowulf relates to other heroes that we have learned about because he is flawless and strong. Beowulf had to take his father's place after he died, and that is a characteristic of many heroes. Beowulf defeats monsters just like Greek heroes. One great characteristic was that he didn't get help from any Gods, unlike the Greek heroes do.
ReplyDeleteDelete Comment From: Ms. Chappel--Eng. 10H
ReplyDeleteMisty said...
Although Beowulf generally follows the same mold as Greek heroes of old, there are some differences between him and the classical archetype that cannot be overlooked. Unlike many Greek heroes, Beowulf possesses intelligence and restraint, choosing not to strike until his adversary strikes first. He also lives by a Germanic warrior code, prizing honor and victory over his own life and opting out of the easy victory by renouncing weapons. In short, he is the archetypal hero of the Norse people while, say, Hercules was that of the Greeks.
(This is Brigid's post)
Beowulf is like one of the Greek Heroes because he made a name out of himself. He has somewhat of an unknown background as well as his father. He fought monsters along the way just like how Greek Heroes did. Beowulf is different from the Greek Heroes because he is not of divine heritage and did not get any help from the Gods. He had to use his own power to survive and live a hero.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf and Greek heroes have their differences and similarities. For similarities, Beowulf and Greek heroes are both strong and courageous. However, a huge difference that stands out is that Beowulf does not possess any supernatural powers, unlike Greek heroes.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf does contain similar “characteristics of a hero”as a typical archetypal hero. Not only is he a male, but he is called upon to make a journey or to follow a goal/quest like most mythological heroes.
The values that are conveyed within the “Prologue” are responsibility, loyalty, reverence, military valor. First off, Beowolf has to take responsibility as a king after his father has died. Loyalty also flows within the story when, even after the father is no longer living, the father's army is still loyal to Beowolf. As for reverence, we can see this when King Shield Sheafson's people express their gratitude/remorse for Beowolf's father after his death. Military valor, finally, was shown undeniably by the bravery during battle by Beowolf's friends and kinsmen.
In “Fight with Grendel.”the values that were communicated were bravery, strength, fighting ability, and good overpowering evil. First off, Beowulf showed his bravery and strength when he took on Grendel himself. The third value shown was good overcoming evil and this was proven when Beowulf finally defeated Grendel.
Beowulf is similar to the Greek heroes discussed in the past. He is brave, which is of great aid when he faces Grendel. He is intelligent, making him a good strategist. He is also obviously skilled in combat, making him a fierce warrior.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf is also different that some of the Greek heroes we have discussed. We read about Perseus, Hercules, etc. and they were all demigods. Beowulf is mortal and possesses no supernatural powers.
The characteristics of a hero that Beowulf has includes being male (obviously,) and was called to make a journey after hearing of Grendel. He does not come from mysterious origins, as we know who his father is, but we do not know much about his early life.
When Beowulf fought with Grendel, his character was revealed. He personally took on Grendel and succeeded in taking him down, displaying his bravery. We also found out that he had faithful soldiers to back him up, meaning that he was a great leader. In this way, he is similar to all the Greek heroes we read about because they all were all leaders.