Beowulf

A detailed Summary of Beowulf

In the poem "Beowulf," the hero's ultimate goal is to achieve success and further himself. Beowulf is "fated" to be a hero; he isn't motivated to do what is right and good for the sole purpose of doing what is right and good. There is good and evil in the world; however, Beowulf fighting Grendel does not necessarily mean he is fighting a symbol of evil, while representing good. It is entirely possible that he simply fights a monster for the sake of making a name for himself.

It is known that "No savage assault [could] quench his [Grendel's] lust for evil;" yet as soon as Beowulf hears of the monster's doings, he sets out with good omens to fight the monster (53, 118). To have good omens for an event is for that event to be fate; Beowulf doesn't really have control because it is meant to happen and, therefore, will have happen regardless of whether or not Beowulf actually desires to do so.

When Beowulf and his men arrive in Denmark, he begins boasting immensely about himself and "the days / Of his youth that have been filled with glory" (142-143). While he speaks of these glory days, he mentions his "duty" that his people said was his and he speaks about his "strength" and all that he has accomplished on his o

wn (150, 151). If all of these accomplishments came about because they were duties and Beowulf points out the fact that they were duties, he obviously did not do them just because they were right and good. He had to do them; just as he has to fight Grendel, the outcome of which "Fate will unwind as it must" (189).

Beowulf's egotism is exaggerated even more when he credits himself with being able to "purge all evil from this hall...alone and with the help of [his] men" using "[His] hands / Alone [to] fight for [him]" (166, 165, 172-173). He also appears very full of himself when he defends himself to Unferth, telling him that no one can swim as he can or match his strength. He uses the time he fought off whales, a needlefish, and sea-monsters to support his greatness (127-314). Beowulf is so confident in himself, he goes so far as to propose the rhetorical question, "What man / Anywhere under Heaven's high arch, has fought / In such darkness, endured more misery, or been harder / Pressed?" (308-311). These are not comments of a man solely concerned with advancing the right and the good of the world.

If Beowulf is truly concerned with just advancing righteousness and goodness, it would seem unlikely that he would sacrifice his own men as bait to seduce Grendel (409-411). It would make more sense for him to be more willing to set himself up in that position, if

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 930
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English