Beowulf Character Analysis - 999 Words

Most teachers emphasize that a well-written character in a story should be deep, believable, and human, with flaws and personality. Then, say that Beowulf, a poem about a man who is as deep as a sheet of paper, is a masterpiece. While the poem Beowulf is one of the most important and influential pieces of literature in the world, Beowulf himself is a poorly written character when compared to characters of today’s standards. Beowulf is originally a Scandinavian story from a period before written records. It recounts the adventures of the brave and honorable Beowulf as he kills various monsters. Though, to get a feel for his character, all that s needed to know is that at some point he chokeslams a demon. The bottom line is, Beowulf has the†¦show more content†¦If criminals are not immediate threats, they ll be let go. Beowulf follows a similar code. He says to Unferth, â€Å"You murdered your brothers, Your own close kin. Words and bright wit/ Won’t help your soul.† (320-323.) Beowulf would not harm anyone unless they would harm innocents. They are also both committed to battling corruption. Beowulf travels many miles from home to aid Hrothgar and fight Grendel. Beowulf knows his heroic duty calls him to protect the people of Daneland, even if they aren t his. Batman feels it’s his responsibility to fight evil in Gotham. He battles criminals regularly and ultimately ends the Joker s reign. Batman is not threatened by these enemies, but the people of Gotham are, and thus he fights for them. Batman and Beowulf bear the burden of heroic responsibility well. Beowulf and Batman are textbook heroes and thus have similar qualities, but they have differences as well. It is in these differences that the depth of character that Batman has over Beowulf can be seen. Batman is a man of ordinary physical accomplishments, who overcomes his enemies through access to technology and physical conditioning they do not have. His success is attributed to skill and insight into the criminal mind. He is called to do good deeds by the needs of others. He is also driven by a desire for revenge on those who killed his parents. â€Å"Geats used to say that he has in his handgrip the strength of thirty men. (32) Beowulf isShow MoreRelatedBeowulf Character Analysis885 Words   |  4 Pagesanalyzing and reading the text in Beowulf, I realized that Beowulf himself is a leader and a hero in the text also he plays a big role as the protagonist being a hero for saving his kingdom against monsters and mortal enemies but exactly how does it make him a greater hero tha n the average hero? In the text Beowulf’s uncle which is Hygelac was said to be a great ruler and it is evident that this is Beowulf’s role model and hero and as the story goes on. As a character Beowulf encounters with great monstersRead MoreBeowulf Character Analysis942 Words   |  4 PagesThe Great Motivator (An analysis of Beowulf’s Motivations) Are everyones motivations to become a hero pure? This question can be hard to answer depending on the hero. Spidermans motivations for saving an innocent child were pure, but what about people suffering from hero syndrome? A syndrome, that has become a recent phenomenon. This syndrome makes people seek heroism or recognition by creating desperate situations that they resolve in order to become a hero. As common as this syndrome is todayRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Beowulf900 Words   |  4 PagesThe main character in the epic poem â€Å"Beowulf† is Beowulf. An epic hero is one that has superhuman qualities and who beholds values of his society and is braver than life. â€Å"Epics are stories told on a grand scale, with armies, heroes, gods, and the brutal forces of nature depicted over long character arcs and sweeping landscapes.† (Rebecca Ray 1) Beowulf is a selfless warrior that puts the kingdom of Herot first and tries to rid evil for the people. Beowulf wanted to help his kingdom. The evilRead MoreBeowulf Character Analysis801 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf is an ancient English poem that tells the tale of a young, brave warrior and the victories he obtains throughout his lifetime, up until his death. He is widely regarded as a hero throughout the lands and honorably puts his life on the line multiple times. Throughout the poem, Beowulf’s reasoning for being a hero changes. He begins his journey wanting to be a protector of people, a savior of humankind, but as the poem progresses, there is a distinct change in motivation for Beowulf, becomingRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Beowulf1128 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"good† people. The â€Å"good† people referring to the average mix of people, the athletes, the overachievers, the mean people, the bystanders, the regular people, and the hero. In Beowulf, there’s much more backstory to Grendel and why he is portrayed as, and most possibly has become, evi l. Grendel’s character is similar to the characters Jinenji, Magneto, and the Grinch, during the different stages of his life before he is slain. That is not denying that Grendel hasn’t taken advantage of his abilities forRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Beowulf1990 Words   |  8 Pagesto evolve different aspects of our lives. In Beowulf, our epic hero, Beowulf, experiences a significant change of character; he begins as a humble warrior, and develops into a well-respected and powerful king. However, previous kings, such as King Hrothgar, rose to the throne due to their noble statuses in addition to the standardized succession of power in early British history. The stark contrast between these two notable kings remains that Beowulf first played the role as a valuable and principleRead MoreBeowulf And Hamlet Character Analysis1224 Words   |  5 PagesWhen lining the characters Beowulf and Hamlet side by side many will not see the parallels of these characters instead, only the differences. At a first glance, we see Beowulf, the powerful warrior who died whilst defeating three gruesome monsters, then Hamlet, the problematic and fearful prince who died trying to fulfill a foolish act of hatred. Ultimately, we view them as hero Read MoreBeowulf And Hamlet Character Analysis1228 Words   |  5 PagesWhen lining the characters Beowulf and Hamlet side by side many will not see the parallels of these characters instead, only the differences. At a first glance, we see Beowulf, the strong warrior who died whilst defeating three gruesome monsters, then Hamlet, the awkward and fearful prince who died trying to fulfill a foolish act of hatred. Ultimately, we view them as hero and anti-hero. However, we must not judge each character on who they are at the surface. Instead, we must see and understandRead MoreThe Odyssey And Beowulf : Character Analysis1642 Words   |  7 Pagesway to clearly mark certain behaviors as poor social etiquette. Through the use of extreme behavior that identifies a character as immoral, other behaviors that are exhibited are reinforced as distasteful and frowned upon by the society and culture. Without explicitly stating the rules, people are shown the correct and incorrect behaviors. Within The Odyssey and Beowulf, two characters clearly violate social norms by invading spaces that no one invited them into. The suitors and Grendel both demonstrateRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Beowulf As An Epic Hero765 Words   |  4 Pagesthe central figure who has superior qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a quest. Beowulf is a great epic hero because he performs many brave deeds such as risking his life for the greater good of society, and is significant and glorified by all people. Beowulf boasts and boasts about all of his great doings, but in the end he proves to everyone that h e is as great as he claims to be. First, Beowulf shows that he will do anything for the fame, glory, and the greater good of society. He risks