Beowulf – The Perfect Heroic Spirit
An Old English Epic Poem Depicting the Ideal Hero Beowulf
Nov 15, 2009
Beowulf is divided into two parts. The first part deals with Beowulf’s visit to King Hrothgar of the Geats. The young protagonist saves the aging Hrothgar’s kingdom from Grendel, the terrifying monster that ravaged the king‘s great hall of Herot, and the vengeful monster, Grendel’s mother.
In his youth Beowulf is remembered for his unfaltering courage, his military successes and his undefeated heroic spirit. He is also remembered for his strict adherence to the code of honour and for opposing the system of donation to personal greed. Beowulf’s actions and sprit are held up as a model of heroic idealism.
The second part takes place fifty years later and marks the second stage of Beowulf’s heroism. The aged Beowulf has long become the king of Geats and fights his last battle with the dragon, at the end of which he perishes, having vanquished the dragon. There is a genuine ideal of nobility underlying his defiant spirit. Beowulf’s portrait is almost enigmatic and the manner of his death a paradox of defeat in victory.
Transition of the Perfect Hero – Beowulf Evolves
There is a limited private portrait and his goodness and success as a king is stated, not illustrated. Interestingly, this lack emphasises the heroism of Beowulf even further. His heroic transition from youth to age provides a splendid gravity to the poem. The contrast of youth and age also relates to the successes and failures of the protagonist.
The first part of the poem Beowulf’s fame was won by his trust in God and his service to his fellow men. Fifty years later Beowulf has immense power and responsibility yet possesses the same heroic quality of his youth.
Heroic Maturity in Beowulf
The example of Breca and Beowulf’s swimming match shows that courage is the instrument by which any hero realizes himself. “Fate often saves an undoomed man when his courage is good”, Beowulf states. Beowulf‘s maturity is seen when instead of overtaking Hygelac’s throne, he helps Hygelac’s son , the rightful heir. His unflinching heroic spirit is put to the test time and time again and each time he succeeds. Even his death reflects how Beowulf acts for the welfare of his people rather than for personal glory.
Beowulf and Ullysses – Comparisons
Beowulf is often compared to Ulysses except Ulysses was a noble hero with a lost soul and Beowulf in every point represents the perfect heroic spirit, the ideal of an active force serving good and triumphing good over evil. You can read Beowulf here.
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