Describe the importance of reputation to the characters in beowulf

In the second part of the poem, set many years later, Higlac is dead, and Beowulf has been king of the Geats for some fifty years. The poem uses the word unabashedly, but a modern audience might feel uncomfortable with the concept, thinking of empty trophies in a superficial frame.

Siegmund seems to have married his sister. However, it is important to consider heroism as being subjective and that it should be measured within its context both in terms of history and religion.

Hrothgar presents Beowulf with more treasures and they embrace, emotionally, like father and son. Upon his return to Geatland, Beowulf ff. What objects do you think are personified and for what reasons. How to Write a Summary of an Article.

We must also reserve judgement for the young Wiglaf as we have yet to see him in battle alone and whilst the limited behaviours we do observe in him are commendable, we cannot assess him in the same way as Beowulf whose character has been developed to a much greater extent within the poem.

That night, Grendel appears at Herot, and Beowulftrue to his word, wrestles the monster bare-handed. Is Grendel indeed as bad as he seems, or is he just another Caliban. All quotes contain page numbers as well. A courtier of Hrothgar, renowned warrior and linguistically talented Dane.

In short, it is too easy to write an essay based on the idea that women are simply subservient to the desires of men. When Beowulf arrives, he does not present himself as if his being respected is a foregone conclusion.

A kinsman of Offa. Throughout the poem, Beowulf and the other characters continue to acknowledge the importance of reputation to their own lives but also to those of their families. We cannot however, award the young warrior heroic status merely as a result of his overwhelming brute strength, both by modern standards and more importantly those of the Anglo-Saxons, there were numerous other qualities required to fulfil this role.

For a man to be considered a warrior he must obey the code and to be classed as a heroic-warrior ought to exceed its expectations. Seeking to avenge the death of her son and recover his claw, the mother attacks Heorot the next night, surprising everyone. Fame is a positive quality, having to do more with earned respect than vanity.

He killed Hathcyn and was later killed by a group of Geats led by Higlac.

A fiery dragon terrorizes the countryside because a lone Geat fugitive has stolen a golden flagon from the dragon's treasure-trove.

Beowulf mentions his father's accomplishments and reputation as well as his king, Hygelac, and his people, the Geats. As he discusses Beowulf's later years, the poet lists the virtues ff. For this essay topic or thesis statement, integrate at least three examples that reflect this cultural system based on kinship and honor and write a conclusion based on why these might have been important factors hint: A personage in the cycle of tales relating to Ermric.

Later king of the Geats, he was born A. The world of Beowulf is one built on oral tradition. After Heardred is killed, Beowulf does become king and rules with honor and fidelity to his office and his people for 50 years. The importance of reputation is closely linked with that of lineage, few characters are described without reference to their fathers or their ancestors, when Beowulf introduces himself to Hrothgar he says ‘I am Hygelac’s kinsman’.

What evidence do you find in Beowulf of the importance placed on a person's public reputation?

Write an essay in which you use examples from the poem to support your answer. one of Beowulf's main goals is to win glory by killing Grendel. Beowulf is a classic epic hero and is honored by being passed down in the story.

Beowulf embodies the ideals of conduct in the Anglo-Saxon culture by being loyal, seeks fame and glory, and performs brave deeds. Beowulf is loyal to the Geats (which is his people), the.

The narrator of Beowulf is one of those godlike narrators who sees everything and can skip around between different characters and between the past, present, and future. In fact, you might get a little bit frustrated with this, because the narrator often spoils the story for you.

After reading Beowulf and looking at the characters and their relationships with each other, look at the values of the entire story. Look at these three values and how they relate to the characters and their relationships: Loyalty, Bravery, and Leadership. Video: Beowulf Honor Quotes: Examples & Analysis The epic poem 'Beowulf' can be epically difficult to understand.

The language and many of the ideas might seem foreign to a modern-day reader.

Describe the importance of reputation to the characters in beowulf