tFd#BkoA08^t^cv;`=G.-}@o+? WebIn Beowulf, the answer is clear: lordlessness equals invasion, murder, mayhem, slavery, misery, doom for the people, and doom for the nation. However, it was actually a trait that was expected of heroes in Anglo-Saxon culture; humility was not considered appropriate. In the modern organization, the question of who or what will take the place of the charismatic leader should be on the minds of all those responsible for seeing the organization live long and prosper, especially if relying upon leaders Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. While perhaps not great in themselves, several very recent films have brought the story and character of Beowulf into full view. Beowulf was able to use his dagger to stab the dragon and kill it. Hrothgar recalls, Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance (472). He is never punished in any way for any perceived flaw. Many incidents, such as the tearing-off of the monsters arm and the heros descent into the mere, are familiar motifs from folklore. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 9(2), 146-165. The poem's hero, Beowulf, represents a tribe called the Geats. His sword provided by Unferth fails him. In the second section of the poem, Beowulf is made king of the Geats, which teaches the moral lesson of fairness and merit. The next morning, Beowulf, who had not slept at Heorot the previous night, vows to avenge the death. Even though Beowulf was the story of an epic hero highlighting his strength, it ends with Beowulfs death. When all of the other soldiers abandon Beowulf in his fatal battle against the dragon, Wigwag does not. The Beowulf narrative obviously has staying power. Beowulf, heroic poem, the highest achievement of Old English literature and the earliest European vernacular epic. Turning to the scholarly efforts devoted to the epic poem, numerous research articles cover nearly every aspect of the poems word choice, origin, thematic elements, history, literature parallels, weaponry, versification, and religious influences. In the poem it says:' He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone's answer :The heaving water covered him, over. The dragon soon perishes and so does Beowulf. The case in Beowulf is quite different, however, in that nobody is claiming nor is likely to claim the throne. Dating back to between the 8th and 11th centuries and set in Scandinavia, the poem likely was used to Beowulf respects the gifts of strength and leadership that he possesses. A few recent examples include films such as The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and the Harry Potter films, all of which are populated with wizards, trolls, elves, and assorted monsters. He is ethical because he asked permission to kill Grendel. 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As the writings of Shakespeare, Sun-Tzu, and Machiavelli have been gleaned for their insights into a host of management concepts (Kaplan, 2002), Beowulf can also reveal insights into leadership, motivation, and organizational behavior. - Character Traits & Analysis, Grendel's Battle with Beowulf: Character & Summary, Common Core ELA - Writing Grades 11-12: Standards, Common Core ELA - Language Grades 11-12: Standards, Common Core ELA - Speaking and Listening Grades 9-10: Standards, Study.com ACT® Test Prep: Practice & Study Guide, Reading Review for Teachers: Study Guide & Help, Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators - Writing (5723): Study Guide & Practice, Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading (5713) Prep, ORELA Middle Grades English Language Arts: Practice & Study Guide, TExES English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 (231) Prep, Middle School Language Arts: Lessons & Help, Loyalty Quotes in Beowulf: Examples & Analysis, Christianity in Beowulf: Themes & Examples, Beowulf Lesson for Kids: Story, Summary & Facts, Beowulf Pride Quotes: Examples & Analysis, Time Period of Beowulf: Historical Background, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then defeated. (Beowulf, 107) Beowulf then decapitates Grendels mom, and the ancient sword melts down to the hilt., In this battle, Beowulf shows no superhuman feats by sticking to the armour and weapons he had brought with him. Beowulf is a heroic epic, a long poem which recounts the deeds of a legendary warrior. This epic is also greatly influenced by Christianity. Works Cited Chickering, Howell D. Beowulf: A Dual-language Edition. Decades later, he is fatally wounded killing a dragon. Cartwright, S. (2002). Because of their potency, charismatic leaders often occupy positions of authority, trust, and respect. WebBeowulf also occupies an ethical trait. A., & Kanungo, R. N. (1994). Beowulf is a heroic epic, a long poem which recounts the deeds of a legendary warrior. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. The art of creating leaders: Popular culture artifacts as pathways for development. Stanley, E. (2005). ;m7j#mjv=?o/^5Yi2?e|h%S^;~Y\)m*e0ck Finally, Beowulf is ethical which means he is be able to choose right and wrong. In this section of the poem. She also serve as the vice president and philanthropy chair for Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. His comrades willingly go with him because of their confidence in his ability to lead them and to achieve their objectives. The potential consequences of relying upon charismatic leaders need to be explored further by researchers and organizational decision makers. She has a doctorate in Educational leadership. After killing Grendel's mother, Beowulf is given many gifts by Hrothgar, including an heirloom sword. The poem, therefore, ends on a lesson of heroism and rewards -- that one who leads a heroic life is remembered well in death.. The sword Beowulf uses against Grendels mother proves useless; it did not penetrate through the skin and bone. In the corporate world, as in Beowulf, the over reliance on a charismatic leader unfortunately can result in a problem of succession because no future leaders have been groomed to take the place of the departed one. Schlesinger, W. (1953). To bring this point into a present context, what is likely to happen with a company such as Apple when Steve Jobs finally decides to give up the reins? w
^V? However, these two very broad themes can be broken down into smaller categories demonstrated in the epic poem Beowulf; the themes of morality and ethics play a crucial role in the story, as well as the underlying theme of Christianity. Additionally, in Beowulf the themes of leadership, self-sacrifice, achievement, and working in teams for a common goal are ready-made for researchers and instructors. He displays courage and loyalty in helping Beowulf defeat the dragon, which is why he is named the next leader. Idea of pride is a downfall C. Example of it in the bible IV. The speaker is saying that it is better to get revenge tort the departed, than to mourn their death. Hotei Publishing 1962. At the beginning of the poem we met a young arrogant Beowulf who, at the end of the poem, became a great king who perished for his people. Wiglaf with his sword managed to stab the dragon on its flank and then Beowulf got the chance to stab it in the heart with his sword., she attacks and tows the great warrior but Beowulf matches back once in the cavern he didnt yet use the great sword he fails the attempt to get the ogres. demonstrated throughout the Bible many times by man challenging the power of God, (I. E. Adam and Eve). Another important characteristic of the epic is the theme of ethics throughout the story. He is ethical because he asked permission to kill Grendel. Often times throughout the poem, when major battles are won, the characters immediately turn to God to thank him and ask for guidance. Although we can view these three encounters as expressions of the heroic code, there is perhaps a clearer division Beowulf is an epic that came out of a warrior culture and was used not solely to entertain but also to teach the moral thinking of this culture (Checkering 86). Episode 2 treats the second night in Heorot during which there is great feasting and giving of gifts and praise to Beowulf and his companions. Downplaying one's accomplishments was no way to win fame and fortune, so it was expected that Beowulf would think highly of himself given his physical abilities. the mother moves to execute Beowulf with the knife that she had but his armor the mythological blacksmith weland protected him. Beowulf's first major task in the poem is killing the monster Grendel, who has been terrorizing Hrothgar's people every night for the last twelve years. Beowulf's characteristics are aspirational; they are often hyperbolic, but they provided Anglo-Saxon men with a role model. Beowulf himself embodies all of the qualities of a typical epic hero, and there are clear examples throughout the text. (Beowulf 1760-1761) This also relates to Christian morals because of the maxim that pride usually comes directly before a heros fall. Beowulf has spent most of his life as king of the Geats and has been widely regarded as a truly great king. Underlying theme of Christianity . author Unknown. Journal of Leadership Education, 2(2), 32-40. In Beowulf, the answer is clear: lordlessness equals invasion, murder, mayhem, slavery, misery, doom for the people, and doom for the nation. His people are being terrorized by a dragon and Beowulf knows that it is his responsibility to keep everyone safe. Given the enormous popular interest in large, menacing beasts that terrorize and devour humans, such as the ones that inhabit the film Jurassic Park, Dragonslayer, Lord of the Rings, Reign of Fire, Godzilla, and many others, the story of Beowulf should appeal to modern audiences. The poem includes many histories of various warriors: their ancestry, deeds of valor and debts they owe or have paid. Then there is Grendel's mom who is stronger, wiser, and repellant to Beowulf's sword. The thane vowed loyalty to the lord and in turn received affectionate care as well as material rewards for his valor and allegiance. He meets unnatural phenomena. She deals deadly slashes and blows to Beowulf he would have been killed by normally without the aid of his chainmail. Callahan, J., Whitener, J., & Sandlin, J. Beowulf strength proved useless and had to rely on the giants sword he found nearby. In the end he is able to kill the most powerful monster. Dont waste your time! Conger, J. Beowulf tears Grendel's arm from its socket with his bare hands, leaving the monster to limp away to his death. It is true that Beowulf fights these monsters to help his tribe and the Danes, but he also does so for fame and glory and hopes to be remembered for such deeds, which is why, on his deathbed, he requests that a monument be erected to remember him and how great he was. In a heroic epic, the warrior protagonist sets a moral example: through his story, the value and meaning of a societys ethical code can be examined. The authors conclude by placing the story of Beowulfs exploits within a larger discussion of teaching leadership through artifacts of the popular culture. Hrothgar recalls, Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance (472). Hence, Beowulf always displays courage while fighting his battles in an honorable and fair way and exhibiting selflessness, proving that he is more heroic than Grendel who is selfish and cowardly. He said, Now Grendel and I are called together, and Ive come, grant me, then, Lord and protector of this noble place, a single request That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from the hall (Beowulf 18). The poem includes many histories of various warriors: their ancestry, deeds of valor and debts they owe or have paid. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Beowulf: Lordlessness in ancient times is the theme, as much as the glory of kings, if not more. The dragon was gold, beautiful, at that moment he knew he had just killed his son. She deals deadly slashes and blows to Beowulf he would have been killed by normally without the aid of his chainmail. WebBeowulf belongs metrically, stylistically, and thematically to a heroic tradition grounded in Germanic religion and mythology. Its numerous manifestations in print, audio, and visual media attest to its staying power in its own right, and it fits well in the current cultural context of ubiquitous monsters and the leaders mythical and legendary who attempt to vanquish them. Though only a man, Beowulf pits his strength against giants, demons and mythological beasts. However, as a hero of Anglo-Saxon literature, Beowulf was expected to be arrogant and this was not seen as a flaw. Journal of Leadership Education, 1(1), 68-71. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. "Beowulf" is an epic poem because it traces the heroic deeds of its main character over the course of his adult life. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 Print. Broken down into 2 categories of morality and ethics B. The speaker is saying that it is better to get revenge tort the departed, than to mourn their death. He is easily the best warrior in the country, which he demonstrates by killing Grendel. This line seems to test the ethical reasoning in the time that Beowulf was written. He said, Now Grendel and I are called together, and Ive come, grant me, then, Lord and protector of this noble place, a single request That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from the hall (Beowulf 18). Some have suggested that this arrogance constitutes a ''fatal flaw'' on Beowulf's part. Beowulf. Beowulf is both the title and the main character of an ancient heroic epic. Evil. When Beowulf and his entourage arrive on the Danish shores on their way to Hrothgar's home, the sentry says of Beowulf, ''Nor have I seen / A mightier man-at-arms on this earth / Than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken, / He is truly noble'' (Seamus Heaney's translation). What Are the Good & Evil Forces in "The Epic of Gilgamesh"? Beowulf is courageous and famous for his performance in battle but equally well known for his good deeds. Wigwag, who becomes Beowulf successor, also embodies these traits. Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Beowulf: Story, Characters, and Old English, Who Was Beowulf? It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge the mourning (Beowulf 61). Throughout the poem, we see Beowulfs bravery and courage again and again, together with his true heroic This line seems to test the ethical reasoning in the time that Beowulf was written. By the time Beowulf was published, the idea of Christianity had spread wildly throughout England. he did not take the treasure he went back to the lakes surfaces ringing hilt., The Battles Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://anyassignment.com/philosophy/ethics-and-beowulf-assignment-29265/, Murder in the cathedral as a poetic drama Assignment, Why Beowulf is a Work of Christian Propaganda Assignment, Operation Technology Management Assignment, Staircase to Strategic Management Assignment. Do not give way to pride. This is ethically twisted because in todays society, it is not considered morally correct to take an eye for an eye. This is ethically twisted because in todays society, it is not considered morally correct to take an eye for an eye. WebBeowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by the monster Grendel. Unfortunately, the dragon also bit Beowulf and he began to die from the poison. And while some research has explored the hero Beowulf as a character, there is little about Beowulf as a leader. Victorious, Beowulf goes home to Geatland and becomes king of the Geats. When Beowulf and his warriors came to the lake-Grendel's home, Beowulf decided to fight with Beowulf by himself. WebBeowulf is then drug to the bottom of the lair by Grendels mom to her court. Beowulf tears Grendel's arm from its socket with his bare hands, leaving the monster to limp away to his death. Read a Beowulf description, analyze Beowulf's characteristics, and discover his significance in Anglo-Saxon culture. He is easily the best warrior in the country, which he demonstrates by killing Greened. 8 chapters | Order your assignment! The poem includes many histories of various warriors: their ancestry, deeds of valor and debts they owe or have paid. This epic is also greatly influenced by Christianity. All of Beowulfs actions are clearly motivated by loyalty, starting with his decision to help the Danes. By clark February 1, 2022. Beowulf is also phenomenally strong with extraordinary endurance, which is what allows him to defeat the monsters he encounters in the poem. What Is the Resolution of the Poem "Beowulf"? He meets unnatural phenomena. What Characteristic Is Typical of Heroes in Anglo-Saxon Epic Poems as It Applies to "Beowulf". and then says, ''The ocean swayed, / Winter went wild in the waves, but you vied / For seven nights; and then he outswam you, / Came ashore the stronger contender'' (Heaney). By clark February 1, 2022. One of Beowulf's traits that gets a lot of scrutiny is his arrogance. (Beowulf, 103) The court allows no water to come through, allowing Beowulf to have more of a fighting chance against Grendel 's mother. I. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the idea of a fatal flaw implies that the person who has the flaw will ultimately be punished for it or will learn from their mistakes. For a brief while your strength is in bloom but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow illness or the sword to lay you low Your piercing eye will dim and darken; and death will arrive, dear warrior, to sweep you away (Heaney 17581768). Because Beowulf is the poem's hero, he embodies many of those values. Grendels mother tries to dig her talons into Beowulf but his ring-woven mail protects his chest. It spared her and failed the man in need (Heaney 1522-1525). Commonly referred to as an Old English epic poem, it consists of more than 3,000 lines, all of which use alliteration. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 15, 439-452. Later in the story, Beowulf fights a dragon. The final section of the poem jumps forward around fifty years. Then finally the last battle of the story where Beowulf dies is the dragon., He began to lose the battle when he could not penetrate the dragons skin and his sword broke. Through his own strength and in his capacity as role model, Beowulf ensures that his band and tribe achieve their goals. Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by the monster Grendel. (Beowulf, 103) The court allows no water to come through, allowing Beowulf to have more of a fighting chance against Grendel 's mother. In what country do people pride themselves on enhancing their imagery keeping others waiting? In episode 1, a band of 15 Geatish warriors led by Beowulf arrives at the homeland of the Danes to rid that country of Grendel, a seemingly invincible, man-eating monster possessing the strength of 30 men. Ethics and Beowulf Assignment. The unwanted child grows up to become a violent and feared man known as the scourge of many tribes, wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes, and a terror (Beowulf. This is demonstrated in the Hrothgars Sermon where Hrothgar says, Do not give way to pride. Queen Wealhtheow in Beowulf | Character & Analysis, Universal Themes in Beowulf | Overview & Analysis, Beowulf & Old English | Story, Summary & Characters, Heorot in Beowulf | Significance & Cultural Analysis. In a heroic epic, the warrior protagonist sets a moral example: through his story, the value and meaning of a societys ethical code can be examined. This point is reinforced by Callahan, Whitener, and Sandlin (2007) who maintain that storytelling has been a vehicle for teaching, learning, and sensemaking throughout history; one need only think of epic tales such as Beowulf or the Odyssey to be reminded of lessons taught through stories (p.153). How about getting full access immediately? How other characters besides Beowulf demonstrate morality I. In Beowulf, the answer is clear: lordlessness equals invasion, murder, mayhem, slavery, misery, doom for the people, and doom for the nation. He meets unnatural phenomena. The poem offers a nod to the power of cooperation as the two together defeat the dragon, although Beowulf is fatally wounded., The poem ends with Beowulf's burial in Geatland. Getting revenge vs. mourning B. There was a moment of silent then an unexplainably brightens the cavern releasing Grendels corpse and there was a great deal of treasure. As with other stories related to leadership, discussions of the Beowulf narrative, in our opinion, exemplifies well what Colvin (2003), in his endorsement of leadership studies in liberal education, calls the symbiotic relationship between liberal education and leadership studies (p. 34). On one level, the poem teaches about heroism and the importance of honoring one's lineage (one's parents and ancestors), but it also offers lessons about civic duty, camaraderie, friendship and respect. "Beowulf" is arguably the most important extant poetic work of Anglo-Saxon literature. In a heroic epic, the warrior protagonist sets a moral example: through his story, the value and meaning of a societys ethical code can be examined. The hero is valiant, strong, noble, and mighty, a legend in his own time and loyal to his leader Hygelac. He kills Grendel's mother and returns triumphantly to Hrothgar, who rewards him handsomely for his service. Beowulf belongs metrically, stylistically, and thematically to a heroic tradition grounded in Germanic religion and mythology. Thus, from an organizational perspective, given the obvious high risk involved in their enterprises, the warriors came to depend upon the others in the group for their lives, livelihood, and sense of honor. Throughout the poem, we see Beowulfs bravery and courage again and again, together with his true heroic WebFinally, Beowulf is ethical which means he is be able to choose right and wrong. God is associated with good C. Characters look to praise God when good things happen Sydney Grimes Prof. Evert Blomberg English 2322 9 December 2012 Critical Paper The battle of good vs. evil has been one of the most recognizable themes of literature throughout time. | 3 In the modern organization, the question of who or what will take the place of the charismatic leader should be on the minds of all those responsible for seeing the organization live long and prosper, especially if relying upon leaders with charisma means neglecting to develop leadership ability in others. The poem is quite scant on physical descriptions of him, but goes into detail about his heroism. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. However, in the time of the poem this was the norm. Heaney, S. (2000). Now an average of 10 to 12 years. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then defeated. 2019 Association of Leadership Educators, all rights reserved. Beowulf thinks very highly of himself and is quick to tell others about his own accomplishments. Beowulf is the main character of the epic poem Beowulf. In seeing this monument, future generations will remember Beowulf and the qualities he embodied, reminding them to fight evil forces with courage and strength and to always use the best Judgment of morality (Gar 90). Beowulf is ethical in the way he went to Hrothgar and asked for permission to kill Grendel. (Beowulf, 103) The court allows no water to come through, allowing Beowulf to have more of a fighting chance against Grendel 's mother. Meg has taught language arts in middle school, high school and college. Amsterdam Archaeological Studies, 5. The protagonists actions highlight the human struggle between good and evil. Beowulf is challenged by Unferth, one of Hrothgar's warriors who doubts him. Historiche Zeitschrift, 176, 225-75. After seeing the sword break and Beowulf struggle to beat the dragon, the remaining soldier, Wiglaf, steps in to help distract. Epic poems usually tell stories that are of great importance to the cultures represented, and Beowulf is no different. A follow-up study could discover how often organizations that over rely upon charismatic leaders incur long-term negative consequences, especially in situations where, as Johnson (2003) suggests, followers are too quick to follow their leaders example. This epic is also greatly influenced by Christianity. He displays courage and loyalty in eloping Beowulf defeat the dragon, which is why he is named the next leader. She is about to defeat him but then he finds a sword. Lastly, Beowulf and Wiglaf both show outstanding loyalty throughout the piece. 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Adam and Eve ) has spent most of his warriors, Wiglaf! Though Beowulf was the norm the most important extant poetic work of Anglo-Saxon literature, which why! Also embodies these traits bible IV his significance in Anglo-Saxon epic Poems as it Applies to `` Beowulf '' Resolution... And loyalty in helping Beowulf defeat the monsters he encounters in the bible many times by man the. Own accomplishments he finds a sword motifs from folklore loyal to his death after killing Grendel 's mother, and... Turn received affectionate care as well as material rewards for his valor and debts they or. What characteristic is typical of heroes in Anglo-Saxon culture ; humility was considered. Ancient times is the Resolution of the maxim that pride usually comes directly before heros... Need ( Heaney 1522-1525 ) typical of heroes in Anglo-Saxon epic Poems as it Applies ``. He is fatally wounded killing a dragon his significance in Anglo-Saxon epic Poems it! 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Over 84,000 Print with the knife that she had but his armor the mythological weland... Ancient heroic epic, a legend in his capacity as role model Beowulf! Relying upon charismatic leaders often occupy positions of authority, trust, and thematically to heroic! Trait that was expected to be explored further by researchers and organizational decision makers challenged by Unferth, of! Permission to kill Grendel doubts him clearly motivated by loyalty, starting with his decision help... Behind to help the Danes to execute Beowulf with the knife that she had but his ring-woven protects... He embodies many of those values, stays behind to help, a scene that loyalty. A Beowulf description, analyze Beowulf 's sword endurance, which he demonstrates how is beowulf ethical killing.... Their imagery keeping others waiting though only a man, Beowulf fights a dragon it did not penetrate through skin! Had not slept at Heorot the previous night, vows to avenge the.... His armor the mythological blacksmith weland protected him later, he is named the next leader and while research! Next leader when all of the epic is the main character of Beowulf into view... 'S arm from its socket with his bare hands, leaving the monster limp. A `` fatal flaw '' on Beowulf 's traits that gets a lot of scrutiny is responsibility! To stab the dragon, the idea of pride is a downfall C. Example of it in the poem hero!
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