Beowulf Essay Example For Students

Beowulf Essay Beowulf Both Shild Shaving and Beowulf were highly honored during their lives. Both were brave warriors, victorious in many Battles. Shild conquered many people, and many lands. For example, How Shild made slaves of soldiers from every Land, crowds of captives hed beaten into terror He also became the king of the Danes. He was highly honored, and became very rich in his lifetime. Just as Beowulf had become one of the most famous men during life due to his defeat of Grendel, and Grendels mother. He later also became king of Geatland. He ruled for fifty years, but his time came during a battle against and irate dragon. Beowulf was still very strong in his elderly years. As was Shild Shaving: When his time was come the old king died, still strong but called to the lords hands. Both of there deaths were honored by very large funerals. That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this Hell. Second, another trait that a typical youth has is that they dont want to be outwitted. They also dont want people to think poorly of them. Beowulf shows this when he hears that Grendel does not use any weapons to fight and so Beowulf says that he will not use any weapons because he wants Higlac to think worthy of him. Beowulf shows this trait when he says, I have heard, too, that the monsters scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Now will I. My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster. Third, the typical youth likes to brag about what they have done. Beowulf shows this third trait when he brags to Hrothgar about how he swam all the way over and killed all the monsters in the ocean. This is seen when Beowulf says, I swam in the Blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one; death was my errand and the fate they had earned. I have shown you how the battle with Grendel represents the youth of Beowulfs life. First, the battle with Grendels mother represents the adult stage of Beowulfs life. As adults get older they are less daring and more defensive. Beowulf shows this trait when he fights mail armor and a sword. This is seen when he goes to the lake where the monsters mother has her underwater lair. Then fully armored, he makes a heroic dive to the depth of the watery Hell. Second, as adults get older they are less daring and wait for the ballte to come to them. Instead of going to Hrothgar and asking to fight for him he waits and lets Hrothgar ask  him. This is seen when Beowulf is awakened and called for again. I have shown you how the battle with Grendel s mother represents the adult stage of Beowulfs life.