Napierkowski, T. (2005). In his three contests with Grendel, Grendels mother, and the dragon, respectively, Beowulf is portrayed as the very model of the warrior hero. Journal of Leadership Education, 2(1), 45-57. In the modern organization, the question of who or what will take the place of the charismatic leader should be on the minds of all those responsible for seeing the organization live long and prosper, especially if relying upon leaders Lastly, Beowulf and Wiglaf both show outstanding loyalty throughout the piece. The poem includes many histories of various warriors: their ancestry, deeds of valor and debts they owe or have paid. WebBeowulf defeats Grendel with ease and utilized his pure strength. They are brushed, played with, and hugged everyday. His comrades willingly go with him because of their confidence in his ability to lead them and to achieve their objectives. Beowulf defeats Grendel with ease and utilized his pure strength. God is associated with good C. Characters look to praise God when good things happen Sydney Grimes Prof. Evert Blomberg English 2322 9 December 2012 Critical Paper The battle of good vs. evil has been one of the most recognizable themes of literature throughout time. Wigwag, who becomes Beowulf successor, also embodies these traits. Another major current involves the large number of popular accounts of legendary and mythical heroes, many of whom display their heroism in struggles with monsters. By the time Beowulf was published, the idea of Christianity had spread wildly throughout England. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. He travels to help the king of the Danes, another tribe. Most of the story takes place before Beowulf has become king, when he is still a young man proving himself. Beowulf himself embodies all of the qualities of a typical epic hero, and there are clear examples throughout the text. Beowulfs strength begins to let him, In the epic Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf suffers a decline from the battle with Grendel to the dragon in warrior culture and physical condition. He goes into the underworld on a dangerous journey. Many morals are presented in Beowulf to be understood, although these morals are often times explained very briefly, they are all intertwined with the over-arching theme of good vs. evil. Often times throughout the poem, when major battles are won, the characters immediately turn to God to thank him and ask for guidance. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 9(2), 146-165. MaE. This line seems to test the ethical reasoning in the time that Beowulf was written. (1999). He explains that he and Breca were attacked by sea creatures and that it was Beowulf who fought them off to keep Breca safe, at great risk to his own life and in a show of extraordinary battle prowess. Many incidents, such as the tearing-off of the monsters arm and the heros descent into the mere, are familiar motifs from folklore. The authors conclude by placing the story of Beowulfs exploits within a larger discussion of teaching leadership through artifacts of the popular culture. Order your assignment! Stanley, E. (2005). Turning to the scholarly efforts devoted to the epic poem, numerous research articles cover nearly every aspect of the poems word choice, origin, thematic elements, history, literature parallels, weaponry, versification, and religious influences. Beowulf: A new verse translation. However, in the time of the poem this was the norm. This line seems to test the ethical reasoning in the time that Beowulf was written. In the mead hall of Heorot on the first night, after introductions, drinking, and boasting, the Danish King Hrothgar and his retainers go to their bedchambers while the visiting warriors bed down in the mead hall. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from http://www.oclc.org/research/top1000/complete.htm. The poem includes many histories of various warriors: their ancestry, deeds of valor and debts they owe or have paid. Beowulf fights bravely and kills the dragon, but is mortally wounded in the process. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then defeated. New York: Harper and Row. Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by the monster Grendel. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Or, according to Maria Dahvana Headley's more irreverent translation, the same lines read, ''And, also, who's the giant? we are commited to them having a long healthy life- NOTE: We are seeing our dogs live up to 15 years old. The first example of this came in the line do not grieve. This shows the aging and oncoming weakness. Geats in Beowulf | Summary, Analysis & Significance, Quotes About Bravery in Beowulf | Importance, Examples & Analysis, Symbolism in Beowulf | Symbols, Importance & Examples, Characteristics of Beowulf as a Tragic Hero, Beowulf as an Epic Hero | Overview, Characteristics & Examples, Bravery in Beowulf | Examples, Heroism & Rewards, Beowulf Strength Quotes: Examples & Analysis, Kennings in Beowulf | Purpose, Examples & Analysis, Grendel's Battle in Beowulf | Summary & Characters. The protagonists actions highlight the human struggle between good and evil. Christianity throughout England at the time of Beowulf is associated Witt g C. Characters look to praise God when good things happen Proof. Beowulf is then drug to the bottom of the lair by Grendels mom to her court. Second, as mentioned above, Anglo-Saxon readers would not have seen Beowulf's arrogance as a flaw at all. Beowulf himself embodies all of the qualities of a typical epic hero, and there are clear examples throughout the text. Given the enormous popular interest in large, menacing beasts that terrorize and devour humans, such as the ones that inhabit the film Jurassic Park, Dragonslayer, Lord of the Rings, Reign of Fire, Godzilla, and many others, the story of Beowulf should appeal to modern audiences. As such, certain Christian ideas and themes are easily recognized throughout the text. Unferth, jealous of Beowulf's strength, taunts him by bringing up a race that Beowulf lost. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. He displays courage and loyalty in eloping Beowulf defeat the dragon, which is why he is named the next leader. The work deals with events of the early 6th century, and, while the date of its composition is uncertain, some scholars believe that Beowulf belongs metrically, stylistically, and thematically to a heroic tradition grounded in Germanic religion and mythology. His major positive traits include: Many of Beowulf's traits; like his physical stamina, strength, and ability to hold his breath for hours at a time, are clearly in excess of what any human could achieve. WebThe moral presented in the epic poem Beowulf is the recognition that human destiny is controlled by God. Beowulf Mastiffs Global dogs are testedand are able to gait for a few miles and remain sound prior to breeding as an added test of soundness. Through these actions such managers are able to empower subordinates and build trust. This overreliance could pose significant risks for an organization, whether warrior band, tribe, nation, or Fortune 500 company. Beowulf: The heroic, the monstrous, and Anglo-Saxon concepts of leadership. When all of the other soldiers abandon Beowulf in his fatal battle against the dragon, Wiglaf does not. When he first lost his honor, he decided to not tell anyone. When all of the other soldiers abandon Beowulf in his fatal battle against the dragon, Wigwag does not. The gefolgschaft or comitatus bond itself superseded, according to Bazelmans (1999), a prior organizational structure based on the concept of kleinstamme, which entailed group membership based more on kinship or within ethnic groups (Bazelmans, p. 5). She has been teaching English in Canada and Taiwan for seven years. Additionally, in Beowulf the themes of leadership, self-sacrifice, achievement, and working in teams for a common goal are ready-made for researchers and instructors. The fight ends when Beowulf stabs the dragon in the abdominal region, killing, Beowulf is then drug to the bottom of the lair by Grendels mom to her court. The sword Beowulf uses against Grendels mother proves useless; it did not penetrate through the skin and bone. A funeral pyre is built, and as Beowulf and the dragons treasure are consumed by the flames, an old woman bewails their loss and looks gloomily into the future, for surely, now the Geatish people will suffer invasion, enslavement, debasement, and death. However, as a hero of Anglo-Saxon literature, Beowulf was expected to be arrogant and this was not seen as a flaw. He brings several warriors with him to defeat the creature, but all but one abandon him because of their cowardice. In the modern organization, the question of who or what will take the place of the charismatic leader should be on the minds of all those responsible for seeing the organization live long and prosper, especially if 8 chapters | As the writings of Shakespeare, Sun-Tzu, and Machiavelli have been gleaned for their insights into a host of management concepts (Kaplan, 2002), Beowulf can also reveal insights into leadership, motivation, and organizational behavior. Callahan, J., Whitener, J., & Sandlin, J. The dragon soon perishes and so does Beowulf. Even though Beowulf was the story of an epic hero highlighting his strength, it ends with Beowulfs death. For a brief while your strength is in bloom but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow illness. Increasingly over time, Beowulf was influenced by Christianity to include Gods help in order to remain moral and win battles of good vs. evil. 99 lessons For instance, he has many of the characteristics of an epic hero, including noble birth, courage, honesty, and battle skills. Unfortunately, because someone disturbs its treasure trove, an enraged dragon wreaks havoc on the countryside and even destroys Beowulfs own dwelling place. gk%eJK?I With greedy motives, Beowulf tries to steal the Dragon 's treasure and is bitten by the Dragon, poisoning Beowulf and ultimately killing him. With a sharp blade in Grendels mother possession, Beowulfs defeat seemed certain and his confidence was lost for an instant. The case in Beowulf is quite different, however, in that nobody is claiming nor is likely to claim the throne. He said, Now Grendel and I are called together, and Ive come, grant me, then, Lord and protector of this noble place, a single request That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from the hall (Beowulf 18). Even though Beowulf was the story of an epic hero highlighting his strength, it ends with Beowulfs death. WebBeowulf belongs metrically, stylistically, and thematically to a heroic tradition grounded in Germanic religion and mythology. When the fight starts Beowulf tries to hit the dragon with his sword but it does not work out and the sword breaks. (Y>(ZqP)'vzMq2T|+k5 [_U R,8Ps;C`NslbN=28sl*d9NYb{EV]TU>>k]6`L^hB'al1?%Wa}r@B%tyG#%/+~524Jegk(o^v5HS>O$0Qvdr}U2 Beowulf. The cost significant Christian value in this text is the connection between God and good (Mitchell 337). The moral presented in the epic poem Beowulf is the recognition that human destiny is controlled by God. Beowulf is a noble member of the Geats who goes to the court of the king of the Danes to help fight against monsters that nobody else can defeat. It is true that Beowulf fights these monsters to help his tribe and the Danes, but he also does so for fame and glory and hopes to be remembered for such deeds, which is why, on his deathbed, he requests that a monument be erected to remember him and how great he was. Grendels mother grabs Beowulf by his armor and slams him to the ground. Conger, J. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Education. The Beowulf narrative obviously has staying power. The popularity of the Beowulf story in particular is evident in light of its numerous translations, editions, audio renditions, and films over the past several decades. In addition to being tall, Beowulf is prodigiously strong. @xLkfl~!^Ep{k5-[z Many incidents, such as the tearing-off of the monsters arm and the heros descent into the mere, are familiar motifs from folklore. The poem takes place over the course of many years, starting with Beowulf's exploits as a young man and ending with his death, which comes after he has ruled over the Geats as king for around fifty years. Battle of good vs. evil is the main over-arching theme A. genre Alliterative verse; elegy; resembles heroic epic, though smaller in scope than most classical epics. board with our, See Being a hero in a battle seems like a tough thing to do especially when you are expected to do unrealistic things in the eyes of the public. The poem offers a nod to the power of cooperation as the two together defeat the dragon, although Beowulf is fatally wounded., The poem ends with Beowulf's burial in Geatland. Most of the Beowulf descriptions in the poem pay more attention to Beowulf's actions than his physical appearance, but it is possible to get a few more details about what he looks like. Dating back to between the 8th and 11th centuries and set in Scandinavia, the poem likely was used to teach lessons to young warriors of the day, said Alexander M. Bruce, in the free online journal "The Heroic Age." Beowulf strength proved useless and had to rely on the giants sword he found nearby. WebBeowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. The second battle with Grendels mother nearly resulted in the death of Beowulf and resorted to a weapon, which shows a decline in his strength and confidence. To the warriors in numerous small roving groups, in ways similar to those of the Vikings in the ninth and tenth centuries, treasure represented not only material wealth but also a validation of ones worth and honor in the warrior society. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. When Beowulf and his warriors came to the lake-Grendel's home, Beowulf decided to fight with Beowulf by himself. They are often of noble birth, they are brave, they are generally honest, and they are great warriors. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 Most of us would say its knowing the difference between right and wrong. All of Beowulfs actions are clearly motivated by loyalty, starting with his decision to help the Danes. Notes and Queries, 52(3), 267-81. Hence, Beowulf always displays courage while fighting his battles in an honorable and fair way and exhibiting selflessness, proving that he is more heroic than Grendel who is selfish and cowardly. Only one of his warriors, named Wiglaf, stays behind to help, a scene that stresses loyalty and friendship. Though only a man, Beowulf pits his strength against giants, demons and mythological beasts. WebBeowulf also occupies an ethical trait. Through his own strength and in his capacity as role model, Beowulf ensures that his band and tribe achieve their goals. Beowulf is what is known as an ''epic hero.'' Hrothgar recalls, Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance (472). An example of morality in the story is the idea that ones pride will be their downfall. The most important Beowulf characters are Beowulf himself, who is the hero and one of the Geats, a group from what is now Sweden; Hrothgar, king of the Danes; and Wiglaf, a warrior and close friend of Beowulf's. | 3 Now an average of 10 to 12 years. Beowulf is a Geat of noble birth. In a heroic epic, the warrior protagonist sets a moral example: through his story, the value and meaning of a societys ethical code can be examined. Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Beowulf: Story, Characters, and Old English, Who Was Beowulf? However, the idea of faith is at odds with the pagan concept of fate, which is often associated with unfavorable conditions and results in the text (Parker 68). The dragon was gold, beautiful, at that moment he knew he had just killed his son. Given a hero's funeral, he's placed in a tumulus on a cliff overlooking the sea, and the dragon's treasure is buried with him. Beowulf descends alone into the mere and is attacked by Grendels mother, who drags him into her bone-strewn den and stabs at him repeatedly with a blade. This passage suggests that Beowulf is tall and imposing, that he carries many weapons, and that he is clearly of noble birth. 2019 Association of Leadership Educators, all rights reserved. Although the heroic epic Beowulf was composed in Old English, it deals not with native Englishmen for whom the poem was written but with their Germanic ancestors of around the sixth century. 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