Battle With Grendel's Mother example essay topic

361 words
The main theme of Beowulf is tragedy creates heroism. The three most important parts of Beowulf involve battles in which characters display acts of courage and valor in order to stem the flow of death and mayhem. Innocent loss of life caused by the antagonist began every conflict that arose in the poem. Another important aspect of these battles is that they all end in loss of life on both sides. This shows how heroism can come at a price. The struggle with Grendel cost the life of Grendel and of the sentries caught unaware.

The battle with Grendel's mother cost her life and the life of Aeschere. Finally, the fight between Beowulf and the dragon cost both their lives. The lives lost show how heroism is a product of tragedy. Beowulf went to help the Danes when he heard of the lives lost to Grendel. He fought Grendel's mother only after she attacked the hall and killed Aeschere. He came to blows with the dragon after the dragon began laying waste to the countryside of his homeland.

Tragedy forced Beowulf to step up and defend his people and beliefs. His heroic nature forced him to react to the dragon even when he sensed it to be his doom. ("He was sad at heart, unsettled yet ready, sensing his death", Line 2419) Wig laf too shows heroic qualities in the face of tragedy. Alone amongst the Get warriors he stepped forward to aid his dying King. The poem was told at a time when heroic actions were often seen. It was a dangerous time of conquest and conflict.

The purpose of the story is to relate the importance of standing up to adversity. This theme translates easily in a time of terrorism and war, where people are seen doing heroic things at tragic times. The World Trade Center attacks caused the people of New York City to step up and help the victims. Those same attacks caused thousands of soldiers to leave their homeland and root out the terrorist involved.