Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon poem in
which the epic hero Beowulf saves Hrothgar and his people from the tribulations which
had beset them. Beowulf is a conquering hero, and he embodies, as your question states,
many of the ideals reflected in his culture. He is selfless, proud, brave, and
loyal.
Beowulf is selfless, and he demonstrates that
quality when he hears about Hrothgar--in a country across the dangerous sea--and decides
to help him simply because he knows he can. Beowulf understands he may not return from
this fight that is not really his; yet he selects a few soldiers, equips himself and his
men, and he makes the perilous crossing without any expectations from the people at the
other end of his journey.
Beowulf is proud, and he
demonstrates that quality when he meets Hrothgar and offers himself as a protector and
defender of this king and his people. He is neither fawning nor boastful (though
Unferth would probably disagree). He states his credentials and offers his services.
Later, when Hrothgar rewards him for his actions, Beowulf is suitably gracious and
humble, proud to have been the one to rid them of this terror. When he returns home, he
tells his story without embellishment (well, perhaps just a little) and demonstrates his
pride by honoring his own king.
Beowulf is brave. A
marauding monster, Grendel, must be killed, and Beowulf chooses to engage in battle
without any weapons, just as Grendel fights. Their literal hand-to-hand combat is epic,
and Beowulf wins by tearing Grendel's arm out of his socket. When Grendel's mother
seeks to avenge her son's death, Beowulf follows her to the bottom of the ocean to fight
another epic battle. More than fifty years later, King Beowulf fights a huge dragon
virtually alone and virtually empty-handed.
Beowulf is
loyal. Before he leaves to kill Grendel, Beowulf asks permission of his king--to whom
he owes his allegiance. When he returns, laden with gifts which were bestowed upon him
by a grateful Hrothgar, Beowulf gives a portion to his king, as was his
due.
Beowulf has other virtues, of course, and he embodies
the best of Anglo-Saxon ideals.
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