Grendel's Cultural Heroism In Beowulf

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“One lives in the hope of becoming a memory.” (Antonia Porchia). The Anglo-Saxon people believed in löf, which is the ultimate goal of a heroic life and the desire to have your name live on. In the Anglo-Saxon culture, people who achieve löf are seen as heroes. In the epic poem, Beowulf, written anonymously, Beowulf is a cultural hero because he achieves löf in battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Beowulf’s battle with Grendel demonstrates his cultural heroism because the people will now remember him forever. After Beowulf’s heroic fight with Grendel, Wealhtheow tells Beowulf that he is “known to all men far and near, now and forever” (Beowulf 121-122). Beowulf’s strength allowed him to defeat Grendel and his “Doings were praised over and over again” (Beowulf 855-856). The people will now…show more content…
Before this final fight, Beowulf assures the people that even though he is old, he “shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning” (Beowulf 2512-2517). Beowulf defeats the dragon, but while on his deathbed, Beowulf says, “Order my troop to construct a barrow on a headland on the coast […] in coming times crews under sail will call it Beowulf’s Barrow” (Beowulf 2802-2803; 2806-2807). Beowulf was able to defeat the dragon, which was a heroic act. In the Anglo-Saxon culture it, is believed that löf is the ultimate goal of a heroic life. Beowulf told his people that he was willing to fight just to experience the glory of winning. Even though he dies, he still beats the dragon. Beowulf wanted a barrow built in honor of him so that future sailors can see it and remember him. Beowulf was a hero because of his many defeats and the barrow was built in memory of him. Because the barrow was made to remember him, his name will live on forever and he will be remembered as a

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