Only one of his warriors, named Wiglaf, stays behind to help, a scene that stresses loyalty and friendship. Given a hero's funeral, he's placed in a tumulus on a cliff overlooking the sea, and the dragon's treasure is buried with him. Print Parker, Mary A. Beowulf and Christianity. She deals deadly slashes and blows to Beowulf he would have been killed by normally without the aid of his chainmail. The potential consequences of relying upon charismatic leaders need to be explored further by researchers and organizational decision makers. Finally, Beowulf is ethical which means he is be able to choose right and wrong. Wigwag, who becomes Beowulf successor, also embodies these traits. 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 (Chickering 86). Dont waste your time! Beowulf is, above all, a story about one man's life. At IU, she works as a reporter for the Arnolt Center of Investigative Journalism. He goes into the underworld on a dangerous journey. Lastly, Beowulf and Wiglaf both show outstanding loyalty throughout the piece. In addition to being tall, Beowulf is prodigiously strong. However, it was actually a trait that was expected of heroes in Anglo-Saxon culture; humility was not considered appropriate. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 9(2), 146-165. A depiction of Beowulf returning triumphantly with the head of Grendel. The poem explores his heroism in two separate phasesyouth and ageand through three separate and increasingly difficult conflictswith Grendel, Grendels mother, and the dragon. The sword Beowulf uses against Grendels mother proves useless; it did not penetrate through the skin and bone. Beowulf himself embodies all of the qualities of a typical epic hero, and there are clear examples throughout the text. In his three contests with Grendel, Grendels mother, and the dragon, respectively, Beowulf is portrayed as the very model of the warrior hero. 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. She has a doctorate in Educational leadership. An error occurred trying to load this video. Then suddenly Beowulf speckled a magical giant sword he decided to use it to cut through the mother spine killing her. Evil has been one of the most recognizable themes of literature throughout time. Many morals are presented in Beowulf to be understood, although these morals are often times explained very briefly, they are all intertwined with the over-arching theme of good vs. evil. Beowulf tears Grendel's arm from its socket with his bare hands, leaving the monster to limp away to his death. Beowulf responds by naming Unferth his estate's benefactor if he were to die. To put this battles together you see all the different contrastment through both sources., The Decline of Moral Ethics Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal rewards. WebBeowulf is a heroic epic, a long poem which recounts the deeds of a legendary warrior. author Unknown. When all of the other soldiers abandon Beowulf in his fatal battle against the dragon, Wiglaf does not. After killing Grendel's mother, Beowulf is given many gifts by Hrothgar, including an heirloom sword. Callahan, J., Whitener, J., & Sandlin, J. The comitatus relationship was based primarily upon mutual trust and respect (Bazelmans, p. 15). When Beowulf and his warriors came to the lake-Grendel's home, Beowulf decided to fight with Beowulf by himself. flashcard sets. Most importantly, they embody the characteristics most highly praised by their societies. 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. However, in the time of the poem this was the norm. This epic is also greatly influenced by Christianity. Lucky Wiglaf stayed loyal and tried to fight the dragon by stabbing him, in turn the dragon takes Wiglaf 's hand. Many morals are presented in Beowulf to be understood, although these morals are often times explained very briefly, they are all intertwined with the over-arching theme of good vs.. The warrior bands had to be highly adaptive units whose members were ready to pick up at a moments notice, alter course as sea winds changed, and opportunistically choose proper targets. The epic poem Beowulf describes the mo Any mastiff not being shown must be spayed or neutered - it is much healthier for them. In the poem it says:' He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone's answer :The heaving water covered him, over. He burned his hand during the situation but he got the heart and the dragon went down and so did Beowulf. Beowulf defeats Grendel with ease and utilized his pure strength. The first example of this came in the line do not grieve. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. A vacuum of leadership has been created by Beowulfs death. Beowulf defeats Grendel with ease and utilized his pure strength. 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). She has been teaching English in Canada and Taiwan for seven years. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. This goal is no ordinary one because up to that point Grendel had been invincible, breaking in wherever and whenever he pleased, slaughtering at will. Most of us would say its knowing the difference between right and wrong. | 3 Underlying theme of Christianity . The poem includes many histories of various warriors: their ancestry, deeds of valor and debts they owe or have paid. An example of morality in the story is the idea that ones pride will be their downfall. By weapons made worthy: Lords, retainers, and their relationship in Beowulf. Presently we are at the confluence of major cultural currents that bring the elements of the Beowulf story to the forefront of popular appeal. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then defeated. (Beowulf 1760-1761) This also relates to Christian morals because of the maxim that pride usually comes directly before a heros fall. 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 and Ethics in a Heroic Society. Beowulf Mastiffs Global dogs are testedand are able to gait for a few miles and remain sound prior to breeding as an added test of soundness. Journal of Leadership Education, 2(2), 32-40. It is also part of the broader tradition of heroic poetry. (Y>(ZqP)'vzMq2T|+k5 [_U R,8Ps;C`NslbN=28sl*d9NYb{EV]TU>>k]6`L^hB'al1?%Wa}r@B%tyG#%/+~524Jegk(o^v5HS>O$0Qvdr}U2 Beowulf is also very arrogant, which is sometimes seen as his fatal flaw. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Throughout the poem, we see Beowulfs bravery and courage again and again, together with his true heroic Beowulf defeats Grendel with ease and utilized his pure strength. In the case of Beowulf, we witness a good example of the heroic ideal that in several important ways fits well the Conger-Kanungo charismatic leader model summarized in the previous section. The powerful, memorable story of Beowulf has value as a vehicle for leadership instruction. He is ethical because he asked permission to kill Grendel. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. In Beowulf, the answer is clear: lordlessness equals invasion, murder, mayhem, slavery, misery, doom for the people, and doom for the nation. To the warriors in numerous small roving groups, in ways similar to those of the Vikings in the ninth and tenth centuries, treasure represented not only material wealth but also a validation of ones worth and honor in the warrior society. Because he is the bravest and strongest of the warriors, Beowulf deserves to be made king, and he is. The case in Beowulf is quite different, however, in that nobody is claiming nor is likely to claim the throne. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Beowulf strength proved useless and had to rely on the giants sword he found nearby. As such, certain Christian ideas and themes are easily recognized throughout the text. uTer^tKCA%wfo))ZbZ1Eaquavnvv'L ef{ Beowulf is both the title and the main character of an ancient heroic epic. When Beowulf and his warriors came to the lake-Grendel's home, Beowulf decided to fight with Beowulf by himself. board with our, See Sasha Blakeley has a Bachelor's in English Literature from McGill University and a TEFL certification. Throughout the text of Beowulf, the reader can conclude that a morally correct person in the story is one whom fights evil for good, as well as for the sake of others, o gain fame, and to strive to remain a loyal leader. While all the other thanes run to the woods, Beowulfs nephew Wiglaf remains and delivers the fatal wound to the dragon. He kills Grendel's mother and returns triumphantly to Hrothgar, who rewards him handsomely for his service. WebBeowulf belongs metrically, stylistically, and thematically to a heroic tradition grounded in Germanic religion and mythology. Johnson, C. (2003). Beowulf lays in wait and attacks Grendel, ripping off his arm in a fight. Back ground of Beowulf A. A major relationship bond in that period involved what Schlesinger terms gefolgschaft (comitatus in Latin) which refers to a relationship which is entered voluntarily based on loyalty and which obliges the man to counsel and military aid, the lord to protection and generosity (Schlesinger, 1953). For a brief while your strength is in bloom but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow illness. Enrons ethical collapse: Lessons for leadership educators. He used his strength against Grendel, but relies on a sword to kill his mother. He is the only person who can fight with monsters. Beowulf goes from fighting Grendel with no armor or weapons to fighting Grendels mother with armor and various weapons and finally to the dragon whom he battles with armor, weapons, a shield and even some help from Wiglaf., At this point, he lost sword inside the dragon, this means he had to grab his heart with his bare hands. It is Unferth, however, who gives Beowulf a sword with which to fight Grendel's mother, in order to make amends. He supposedly has ''the strength of thirty / In the grip of each hand'' (Heaney). I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Advancing the scholarship and practice of Leadership Education. The second battle with Grendels mother nearly resulted in the death of Beowulf and resorted to a weapon, which shows a decline in his strength and confidence. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 15, 439-452. Heroic Identity in the World of Beowulf. y`/DP`x( He travels to help the king of the Danes, another tribe. First, the idea of a fatal flaw is one that is most readily found in the Christian literary canon, not something that exists regardless of culture and throughout history. The Dragon is also killed in the duel when Beowulf located a small flaw in the pattern of scales on the evil serpent, using this to his advantage and stabbing the, Grendels mother is very angry and out for revenge. Ethics and Beowulf Assignment. This is ethically twisted because in todays society, it is not considered morally correct to take an eye for an eye. Often times throughout the poem, when major battles are won, the characters immediately turn to God to thank him and ask for guidance. Warrior politics: Why leadership demands a pagan ethos. (2007). Grendel, the monster, is represented as being larger than a man and stronger than a dozen men. The Journal of Leadership Education is the outlet for scholarship for the. Battle of good vs. evil is the main over-arching theme A. While perhaps not great in themselves, several very recent films have brought the story and character of Beowulf into full view. Most of the story takes place before Beowulf has become king, when he is still a young man proving himself. 8 chapters | 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. All of Beowulfs actions are clearly motivated by loyalty, starting with his decision to help the Danes. / What weapons does he hold? Unfortunately, the dragon also bit Beowulf and he began to die from the poison. Finally, Beowulf locates an ancient sword on the cave wall and kills Grendels mother with it. Beowulf, heroic poem, the highest achievement of Old English literature and the earliest European vernacular epic. as ideal for teaching leadership because they allow learners to both identify with current trends and process concepts by using tools that capture their interest (p. 147). However, in the time of the poem this was the norm. However, the idea of faith is at odds with the pagan concept of fate, which is often associated with unfavorable conditions and results in the text (Parker 68). Read a Beowulf description, analyze Beowulf's characteristics, and discover his significance in Anglo-Saxon culture. One of Beowulf's traits that gets a lot of scrutiny is his arrogance. It also symbolized the successful bond among the warriors in the band and between the thane and the lord. As a case in point, one of the authors has for several years in a management principles course included details about the Beowulf story in a module about leadership. 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