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Kaci Castillo
Mr. Munoz
English IV Pd. 3
22 September 2014
Beowulf

Almost every epic poem has a tragic hero with great strengths. Beowulf strength was his
ability to fight fearlessly and lead. Although he had strengths he also had many weaknesses.
Beowulfs main weaknesses was his desire for wanting endless glory, selfishness, and mainly his
pride which got in the way of him being an honorable hero.
When Beowulf was young the Greats saw him as one of the strongest men alive.
Someone who was there to protect them against all evil beings. Everyone throughout the nations
had heard of Beowulf and the fights he won. Early on he was recognized to be someone of great
power therefore he had to live up to that expectation. Beowulf was very competitive, each time
he felt he needed to win so everyone knew how great his strengths were. He was conceited and
almost sure he was going to win every time he got into a fight. Beowulf was not afraid to let
everyone know he won, he took pleasure in retelling the story every chance he got.
Beowulf first encounter was with Unferth who did not like him from the start: Are you
Beowulf who took on Breca in a swimming match on the open sea, risking the water just to
prove that you could win? (Line 506-508). Unferth saw him as a threat, someone willing to risk
anything just so people could remember his name. Similar to when King Hrothgar had heard of
him when he first met Beowulf, A crew of seamen who sailed for me once with a gift-cargo
across to Greatland returned with marvelous tales about him: a thane, they declared, with the
strength of thirty in the grip of each hand (Line 377-381). Someone all the way from Denmark
knowing of Beowulf shows he is daring and not worried about the situations he gets himself into.

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Wanting all the glory got Beowulf into trouble at times. His fight with the
monster Grendel could have ended brutally, but he was determined to win no matter the cost.
No weapons, therefore, for either this night: unarmed he shall face me if face me he dares
(Line 683-685). Even if it meant dying he was willing to fight him without weapons and clothes
this shows his arrogance. Luckily he won the fight leaving Grendel without an arm. As a result
of Beowulf winning the fight the king had a feast in his name, and he was happy to tell everyone
what happened during the fight. Beowulf gained the glory for beating a monster no one could
kill; not even King Hrothgar himself. Soon after Grendels mother came for revenge. Beowulf
was the first one ready to fight again. Beowulf was very close to losing the fight but the poet
shows Beowulf was not ready to give up. So must a man do who intends to gain enduring glory
in combat. Life doesnt cost him a thought (Line 1534-1536).
Before Beowulf could leave home Hrothgar adopted him as a son, thanking
Beowulf for killing Grendel and Grendels mother. He made sure he sent him home with a lot of
riches for him and his soldiers. Hrothgars mead hall was now safe Beowulf defeated the evil
monster and his fathers debt was now paid. Now all Denmark knew who the great Beowulf was.
Hrothgar told Beowulf he would make a good king, I firmly believe the seafaring Greats wont
find a man worthier of acclaim as their king and defender than you, (Line 1849-1853). He also
made sure to tell him do not let your pride get in the way because sooner or later it would all end
no matter how powerful you may be.
On his arrival home Beowulf presents Hygelac with some of the treasures he received
from Hrothgar as a thank you gifts. Hygelac then throws him another feast because he is happy
he is back home safe. Beowulf is so used to being celebrated, now they treat him like some
powerful god. During the feast Beowulf told stories about all the encounters he had with the

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monster being conceded on how he won all the battles. Reliving these stories made him feel
powerful and strong around the others.
Soon after Hygelac dies in battle just as it was for told by Hrothgar on how Beowulf
would be the next great king, his sons soon died after him too so Beowulf becomes king next. He
is a good king for fifty five winters protecting his homeland. Beowulf was a smart man while he
was king he decided to not make a family. His encounter with women were not so good so he
decided not to marry. He also decided to not have kids because he wanted to be king and didnt
want to risk anyone taking it from him not even his own kid. This shows how Beowulf was not
wanting to live a normal life as a king with a family but to have all the power to himself as King.
It all changed when a dragon is awoken and angry that someone stole one of his goblets.
With the man not returning it to the dragon, he soon started to cause havoc among the towns.
Beowulfs town was the next target for the dragon and he was known to leave nothing behind
alive. Beowulf was very prideful he wasnt willing to gather a big army and send them to fight
the dragon. He was going to fight the dragon himself. He was old in age but he still wanted to
show the others and himself he was still powerful and if he wanted the dragon killed he was
going to do it himself. The fight happened and ended with the dragon and Beowulf dying. He
knew his time as king was up, he would beat the dragon but he would also die like all the other
great kings, it was his fate. Beowulf said, I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am
old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning (Line 2512-2514).
He wanted them to know he would beat the dragon at all cost.
Beowulfs was a great warrior and great leader. He knew his fate was sealed the moment
he went to fight and so did the others. Wiglaf said, He held to his high destiny. The hoard is laid
bare, but at a grave cost; it was too cruel a fate that forced the king to that encounter. Beowulfs

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people loved him and made sure his funeral was over the top just like he was. They will always
remember Beowulf and thats all he ever wanted was for them to remember the great King
Beowulf.