Beowulf Question 8/30 (10:50)

Do the other warriors make an impact on whether or not Beowulf succeeds in his quests? or are the other soldiers just there to give Beowulf credibility throughout the story.

4 thoughts on “Beowulf Question 8/30 (10:50)

  1. In the first half of the story, when Beowulf is seeking glory by slaying Grendel, I would say no. Beowulf seems to consider the honorable way to challenge a foe to be one on one. When he refuses to use weapons on the monster, this is another honorable move. So I think this attitude really relegates the rest of the warriors to the background.
    However, in Beowulf’s final fight, he would not have succeeded in slaying the dragon had his kinsman not come back to help him. “In his king’s hour of need the earl beside him showed his bravery” the poet says of Wiglaf.

  2. Beowulf needs the support of his kinsmen in order to feel he has the abilities he so often boasts, as well as to convince others. Without his following, who would believe he had done such grand things? The warriors who accompany Beowulf assure that he is a leader, a true leader and hero. Essential to Beowulf’s status. But, when it comes to battles, Beowulf prefers to take all the credit, choosing to fight Grendel alone, unarmed. Beowulf’s stories of previous fights also do not include a role for his kinsmen making the men’s most important role the one of supporters.

  3. In the first half of the poem no, this is about Beorwulf living up to his reputation and settling an old favor for his father. While his men may support him it’s Beowulf who challenges Grendel and it’s Beowulf who ultimately defeats both the monster and his mother. In the latter half as he becomes a king and thus responsible for more than just his own reputation he relies more on his men, showing an evolution and growth in the character.

  4. I think that in order to understand how Beowulf’s compatriots affect the story you have to look at Beowulf treats them, and what his position is. In the earlier part of the story he is among them, he is a fellow solider, and as such is one that is prone to boasting of his own strength and power. There is an element of “one-uping” each other, who can slay the greatest amount, who is strongest ect. So we have a Beowulf in the earlier part of the story that is more concerned with his own reputation rather than the community as a whole. Therefore, he is willing to do more on his own, and does so by performing these tremendous acts such as killing Grendel. This allows him to stand out from his fellow soldiers, so they do in fact just serve to give him credibility and by their inability to complete the feats he can, make him look better.
    However, in the latter part of the story we see an older, and as the tale points out, wiser Beowulf, much less concerned with boasting he still does attempt to battle like in his younger years. He does however need the help of those around him , unlike his prior battles in order to overcome the dragon. His concerns about protecting the kingdom at large are reflected in the fact that the other warriors do actually assist him in his battle.

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