Heroes come out of fights and battles. A hero is a successful representative of their position. In order to start a journey as a hero, one needs to take a stand. However, in order to become a hero, they need to succeed. One could argue that both taking a stand and winning are both important concepts of a hero, but which is more important? Anyone can take a stand, but nothing will happen if you do not win. This is represented in the epic novel, Beowulf.
A fight or battle is the typical clash of two opposing views. The fight usually consists of people or representatives who are fighting for their position. A fight usually occurs because there is a desire for change in the society, event, or system. In Beowulf, the people of Denmark are in need of change. They need to get rid of the monstrous Grendel in order to live peacefully once again. However, Grendel wants to continue living in Denmark, feasting on King Hrothgar's soldiers. These are two opposing views, and nothing will happen until one of them wins. If the Danes want to save their soldiers, they will need to beat Grendel first. In Beowulf, the Danes have no personal success in winning the battle against Grendel. Grendel is succeeding in having his way. In any battle, the victor gets their way until a new victor defeats them. This is why winning is so important. Winning opens up a new range of possibilities not only for change, but for superiority as well. It is not until the main character, Beowulf, sails to Denmark that the Danes make any progress in achieving their goal. Once Beowulf defeats Grendel, then change can occur in Denmark. Some would argue that taking a stand is more important because that is where the fight begins. A hero cannot become a hero if they do not have something to fight for. Even though it is true, winning is more important because all of that time, dignity, and dedication will be wasted if the position does not prevail over the opposing argument. In Beowulf, the valiant warrior, Beowulf, brags, "They have seen my strength themselves, Have watched me rise from the darkness of war, Dripping with my enemies' blood." (Lines 244-246) This statement tells the Danes that Beowulf has the strength to possibly defeat the monster, but what use is that statement if Beowulf comes back to the Danes as an empty corpse? Beowulf tells the Danes that he will solve their problem and that he will change life in Denmark, and only this can be achieved by winning the battle against Grendel. Luckily, for Beowulf and the Danes, Beowulf does win the battle against not only Grendel, but his mother as well. Thanks to Beowulf's success, Denmark will no longer be plagued by a man-eating monster and his angry mother. Beowulf kept true to his statement and won the battle, bringing change to their society. If Beowulf had not won, thousands of other people would have died at the claws of Grendel. Winning not only means change, but also securing the future for others. The future is unpredictable, but doing what you can to win your argument will allow the people it affects to look towards the future and prepare for it. When the Danes could not defeat Grendel, they saw death in the near future. Once Beowulf was able to defeat Grendel, the Danes saw a new future. They saw a full and long life ahead of them, one that did not include being ripped apart and devoured. With time, dignity, lives, and ego on the line, which is more important? Taking a stand will start the battle, but only victory will win the war. Beowulf saved thousands of lives, as well as his reputation by winning the battle against Grendel and Grendel's mother. Many soldiers before him took a stand to defeat the beast, but did they succeed? Success is not represented in death. In the end, winning takes it all. When the hero wins, they open up a new future. Winning makes the final call on what happens after the battle. Winning is what makes someone a hero.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
August 2017
Categories |