The Concept of Heroism in Beowulf - Research Paper Example

Topic:  In each and every literature genre, create a multipli of themes to help grasp the spirit of their ideas. Even though majority of authors will reveal their thought, they will do so with very sublime purposes. Presenting a classic example of this kind of intention, Rosland Barthes looks at the aim of literary work “in making the reader no longer a consumer, but a producer of a text” (Cohen, 1). As if according weight to Barthes assertions, Voltaire states “the best way an author can be a bore is to say everything” (3). In this regard, the literary conception of heroism in “Beowulf” appears to agree with Voltaire’s and Barthe’s to a larger extent. This is because the anonymous poet in Beowulf appears to share his heroic deed with the reader while still giving him/her a chance to establish the element of heroism according to his or her understanding of this concept. And because the poet leaves the tasks of establishing the confines of heroism to the reader, the reader is therefore compelled to look within to determine the components that make heroes. This is essentially what Dean Traylor belabors in his article “The Movie versus the Poem: the changing face of Heroism.” In this article, Dean explores the place of “Beowulf” in the context of the declining heroic ideas that were synonymous with the 8th and 11th century literature. According to Dean, Beowulf was written at such a time when the Germanic heroic ideas were at their peak (Traylor 1). This explains why when put in the current context the poem somehow looks archaic primarily due to the changed conception of the heroic ideas over the years. This therefore put Beowulf in very good stead in portraying the decline in heroic ideas and what is left from this loss in the 21st century. However, most importantly, “Beowulf” gives the reader an opportunity to reconstruct the heroic ideas which is what Dean refers to as participating in the production of text rather than being just a passive reader. Giving an overview of the characteristics of a hero, Robert Ingersol states that ‘when the will challenges fear, when the duty tosses the gauntlet down to destiny, when honor ridicules to compromise with death – this is heroism (Ingersol, 360). Looking at Beowulf, there is no doubt that he is consistent with Ingersol’s idea of a hero. Using Ingersol benchmarks to identify and measure Beowulf heroism is one of the acts where Dean indicates as “participating in recreating the text of the poem” (Traylor1). In the contemporary world, heroes are normally regarded as gallant individuals who perform exemplary acts not for their own interest but either for everybody in the society or another person other than themselves. The character Beowulf in the poem appears consistent with this. This is because Beowulf embarks on a journey to Heorot with the sole intention of killing Grendel who has been terrorizing King Hrothgar subjects for some time. In fact, there is no doubt that this particular act is selfless because by virtue of being a foreigner, Beowulf is not threatened by Grendel whatsoever but still find it fit to put his life in line for the welfare of others. Another aspect that further reinforces the selflessness of Beowulf act can be found in King Hrothgar warning to Beowulf of how dangerous Grendel is, a warning he disregard in its totality. The hero in Beowulf cannot be suppressed by such warning because even after being warned he informs the lord of Heorot that he is conscious of the fact that Grendel repulses weapons when attacked. Full of boldness, proclaims his resolution to all and sundry “with the grasp, I shall grapple with the enemy and fight for life, foe against foe (Beowulf, 32). He also turns down the benefit of a shield and a sword, thereby opening a new battleground where none of them hold any advantage over the other. There is no doubt that despite sharing several qualities the kind of heroism in this part deviate slightly from the contemporary meaning of heroism as a concept. I however concur with Dean that he is a hero irrespective of the settings of this poem. However, one need to be conscious of the fact that the Germanic heroism, which is what the anonymous author in Beowulf bases his creation of Beowulf, has some structural differences with the 21st century idea of a hero. This is because while heroism in Germanic heroism was regarded as a way of life, the contemporary conceptualization of a hero is best understood as more of a status than a way of life (Traylor 1). I will however dispute Dean’s argument that despite starting as a hero of medieval time Beowulf has managed to redefine himself in such a way that he can pass as a later day hero. According to Dean, a hero in literature basically mirrors the societal values (Traylor 1). This according to Dean can be seen in the fact that when “Beowulf” was first narrated, its purpose was to demonstrate what a person ought to have done in order for him to become a model in the society. This to dean is the reason we have Beowulf unshaken by Grendel cruelty, while finding inspiration in his firm belief in destiny, which he belief “often saves an undoomed person every time his courage is good” (Beowulf 34). To me it appears as if Beowulf is not unveiling his boldness to boast upon defeating Grendel, which I belief is also medieval in my observation, but just attempting to influence fate to give him the triumph if his death is not already predestined. From this it appears as if fate is on Beowulf as he faces the monster. There is no doubt that Beowulf’s determination to be bold is undoubtedly the means of his victory in this battle. The monster has put on a charm that renders all “victory weapon’s useless (39).” However, despite this charm Beowulf manages to slay this monster without even sustaining any injury, before being honored with festivity at the mead-hall. As he is being feted, he attributes his triumph to “goodwill” that permits courageous feat like this particular one (39). What this paraphrase does is to demonstrate that boldness is an important feature of hero. In fact the slaying of monster with bare hands and what appear to be like an immortality of Grendel is not only within Germanic heroism but also meant to highlight the heroism in Beowulf. This is reinforced by the way Beowulf seem to throw caution in the wind to face this deadly monster with his bare hands. From this it seems Beowulf was conscious of his place in the society and where he was ended to. Just as majority of commentator have pointed, this poem is all about heroism. This can be seen in the multiplicity of incidents that are meant to highly the heroism in Beowulf. For instance, after the elimination of Grendel by Beowulf with bare hand we are yet again treated to another heroic adventure this time featuring Grendel’s mother and Beowulf. In this regard, we see Beowulf’s warrior resuming their normal duties after festivities at mead-hall to fete Beowulf have subsided. It is during this duty that tragedy strike. In this particular incident, Grendel’s mother has come to fulfill his revengeful duty of avenging his son’s death thereby leaving a trail of destruction that include the death of several of Hrothgar favorite warriors (Cohen,7). Learning of the loss that his boss has suffered in this particular attack, Beowulf acknowledges that he has a duty to avenge for Hrothgar. He also proceeds to make a second vow to rid Heorot off all evils. He dresses in his combat gear, and embarks on a journey that would see him eliminate Grendel’s mother. It is while fulfilling this fateful duty that he manages to overpower Grendel’s mother before returning back to Heorot victorious. Hrothgar is not only mesmerized by Beowulf’s victory by also his parting words as he set back home. Remembering his duty to Hrothgar, Beowulf expresses his desire to “earn more of Hrothgar’s heart love (“Beowulf” 50). It is shocking to see that Beowulf is still able to maintain ‘the same moral dignity, the same equal and heroic heart in age that he held in youth (Brooke, 5),” a further demonstration of the immortality of heroism. In old age, Beowulf is at it again this time opposing the dragon and even boldly accepting his kingship duties or what we look at the fruits of his steadfast acts of heroism. In course of his preparation to face the dragon he demonstrates his acceptance by warning his men to take cover. Alone, he charges at the beast’s frames of hate. It is surprising to note that only one of his thanes heeds his call of duty by following him in this dangerous expedition. Wiglaf, the thane who heed the call of his duty, manages to arrive at Beowulf’s side in time to witness Beowulf fell the monster. It is however unfortunately despite felling the foe the fate has preordained Beowulf death (Beowulf, 62). The thanes who refuse to follow Beowulf are meant to highlight the virtue of being brave which appears as a prerequisite of heroism. The mere act of accepting his duty to take on the dragon brings honor to Beowulf further highlighting the Germanic heroism. This honor is further solidified by the way he fails to retreat even after his sword breaks. It appears Beowulf not only perseveres in battles but also lives, fights and dies for nothing but the welfare of his subjects, once again depicting a person who not only know where he is going but also his destiny. Requesting Wiglaf for his gold, Beowulf appear to have come to the conclusion that his end is nigh. He realizes that it is such a time when a person destiny is near but is cautious that even if fate will “conquer his body it will not conquer his soul” (Brooke, 5). Therefore, Beowulf destiny is duly accomplished. During Beowulf funeral, Wiglaf stood out in exemplifying honor through setting himself apart from those thanes who decline to aid Beowulf’s when he was facing Grendel mother. Wiglaf expresses his conviction that “death is better for any earl than life of blame” (Beowulf, 64).Essentially, what Wiglaf us trying to do is to censure his kinsmen for not coming into Beowulf’s assistance in his hour of need when, which appears as an antithesis of heroism. Works Cited: “Beowulf”. The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 6th Edition. New York: WW Norton. 1993. 26-67. Brooke, A. Stopford. “The Purification of the Hero.” The History of the Early English Language. 1982. New York. Chelsea. 1985. Cohen, J. Jeffrey. “Medieval Masculinities: Heroism, Sanctity, and Gender.” Retrieved on 3rd May from http://www.georgetown.edu/labyrinth/ecenter/interscripta/mm.htl Ingersol, G. Robert. “Hero” the International Dictionary of Thoughts. Chicago: Doubleday. 1969. Traylor, Dean. The Movie Versus the Poem: the changing face of Heroism. 20th November 2009. Retrieved on 3th May 2012 from http://www.helium.com/items/1657024-beowulf-as-hero-in-movie-versus-poem Read More