Contrary to popular belief that not
even the bravest hero and strongest fighter can win every battle, eventually
death does claim all. In the epic poem “Beowulf,” the main character Beowulf (you
can tell he’s an important character because he shares the same name as the
epic) somehow survives and eventually wins every battle he fights. Even when he
fights the dragon in the end of the epic he still manages to defeat the dragon
before he dies (189).
Beowulf is clearly the
stereotypical “perfect” hero. He fights bravely, rises through the ranks, and
even becomes king, before dying after defeating his final adversary. Before he
is claimed by death Beowulf wins nearly every battle he fights. I suppose it
would not be much of a story if Grendel were to murder Beowulf the first time they
meet, though it would make for an interesting plot twist.
While reading “Beowulf” I kept going
back to one particular quote, which I believe really sums up the epic as a
whole.
“do not
grieve. It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge
in mourning. For every one of us,
living in this world means waiting for
our end. Let whoever can win glory
before death.”
-Beowulf, Son of Ecgtheow
ll. 1384-1388 (97)
This quote reminds Beowulf and his companions of the reality
of death and its inevitability. The quote foreshadows Beowulf’s impending death
in battle as well as his character traits of strength and bravery.
Beowulf is almost brave to a fault
which is another reason why he fits the model of the “perfect” hero. Even the
most perfect hero has a character trait or is put in a situation that brings
out what seems to be the hero’s only weakness. For Beowulf that weakness is
hubris or excessive pride. Beowulf’s excessive pride ultimately leads to his
death. Because of Beowulf’s old age he rightly should have stayed out of the
fight or at least stayed toward the back of the fight instead of taking the
dragon head on (173). However, due to Beowulf’s pride he refuses to give up. He keeps
fighting and goes after the dragon. His prideful need to defeat every monster
he can causes his death. As a warrior Beowulf just does not know when to give
up. It is a combination of his hubris and his hero’s complex that ultimately
cause his demise.
