Reading response papers - Essay Example

Beowulf “Sorrow not, sage! It beseems us better friends to avenge than fruitlessly mourn them. Each of us all must his end abide in the ways of the world; so win who may glory ere death! When his days are told, that is the warriors worthiest doom.” (Anonymous , Section XXI). This speech by Beowulf expresses his belief that although it is always sad to lose a friend, one can always avenge a friend’s death by fighting those who have caused such death.

He supports the view that a better way to mourn for a death of a friend is vengeance towards his enemies. That for him is the epitome of real friendship. Avenging the death of a loved one is an honorable and courageous act which will earn praise from others for a heroic deed and make an individual be remembered even after death. Beowulf in this scene seems to have a premonition of his own death, emphasizing that all men in this world shall eventually die. However, he considers death as something which will immortalize him because he has been a great warrior as proven by his victories over several enemies.

Dying for him is glorification for a warrior who has been the strongest line of defense for his people. What matters to him is that he has done his best to fight for his comrades. Dying is something honorable for Beowulf. In this passage too, one can conclude that Beowulf has no fear of death and is ready to face it anytime.Works CitedAnonymous. "Beowulf." etext.virginia.edu. 7 September 2011 .