CALDOZA, KRISTEL JANE P.

ANGLO-AMERICAN LITERATURE
COLLEGE OF LAW

“BRAVERY AND VALOR”

Beowulf is the perfect representation of bravery and valor. His selflessness, courage,
goodness of heart and generosity brought the people of Danes a lifetime peace.

The epic story rooted from the violence caused by a monster named Grendel against the
mankind. He symbolizes a sin of man, especially from greed. He is filled with intense jealousy
believing that men were blessed by God while an ogre like him is not. Upon hearing the situation
of Dane-land, Beowulf then decided to travel to Danes wherein King Hrothgar let the wardship of
his entire Kingdom to Beowulf in order to protect it from the monster.

Beowulf had an encounter with Grendel ripping the arms of the latter leaving a fatal wound,
thus, Grendel retreated and get back to his den. This gives joyous celebration to the people of
Danes. However, Grendel’s mother came, another vicious monster but more vindictive, to avenge
the death of his son. She attacked the favorite counsellors of Hrothgar and devours them. Beowulf
then travelled many hours through the waters and nearly the sea-bottom she found her. The monster
dragged Beowulf to her den and there he saw Grendel lying dead. Beowulf was able to slay the
monster and beheaded Grendel as a symbol of triumph.

Joy is renewed to Dane-land. His acts were rewarded by Hrothgar. After serving his
purpose to Dane-land he went back to his own land and subsequently became the king of his own
people, the Geats. He served as king for 50 years. However, a dragon harried his own
neighborhood. With the determination to kill the said dragon and so he did, Beowulf also lost his
own precious life.

Though Beowulf died, his nobility, bravery and valor were indisputably left forever in the
hearts of his people. A legacy treasured by mankind.