Thursday, January 23, 2014

In "Beowulf," what does Beowulf's speech to King Hrothgar reveal about his personality?

In his speech, Beowulf gives his ancestry and how he heard about Grendel.  He also tells us why he came to help--that Hrothgar helped Beowulf's father in his time of need, and now out of sense of honor and duty to Hrothgar, Beowulf returns the favor.  He also tells why he is the man for the job.  Later, he tells Hrothgar's party that he killed nine sea monsters while swimming with Brecca in the sea.

So, from his speech, we learn that he is confident, bold, brave, loyal, perhaps a bit boastful (but remember that the Anglo-Saxons didn't necessarily believe in an after-life...they believed that the only way to "live forever" was to perform amazing feats that people would tell stories about forever), and strong. 

It goes without saying that he is welcomed and believed...the party Hrothgar threw for him in preparation for Beowulf's encounter with Grendel is proof enough of their confidence in him.

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