Beowulf LRJ #2

From reading Beowulf, one can find different values and traditions of the time. The warrior was obviously valued in this period of time. A warrior needed to be valiant and show acts of heroism and to boast his image, and through this he could secure his place in time as a hero. Although there were many warriors, what separated you from any other mead drinking brute were your acts of heroism. Another value that was shown in Beowulf was a strong religious belief. Although there is no specific religion, views of pagans and Christians are shwon, the religious beliefs were still strong. King Hrothgar makes various references to god. " ...to where the king in his wisdom waited, still wondering whether Almighty god would ever turn the tides of his misfortunes"(1313-1316, Haney).

Being fiction Beowulf will obviously show some realistic events, but will have a much larger number of unrealistic events. Beowulf, although a great warrior, is still only human. Some of his feats of strength are ridiculous. In the battle with Grendel's mother, to even reach the lair of Grendel's mother he must swim to the bottom of a lake, then is attacked while on his way down, and is unharmed by Grendel's mother due to his chain mail. A few things here are unrealistic, swimming with a suit of chain mail on would be near impossible. Also a suit of chain mail is not invincible. The story seems to show that because of his chain mail Beowulf cannot be hurt. Grendel's mother's awesome strength cannot defeat a mere suit of chain mail.
"So she lunged and clutched and managed to catch him in her brutal grip: but his body, for all that, remained unscathed: the mesh of his chain mail saved him."(1500-1502)

Beowulf has a host of great quotes to be withdrawn from the text. " Then in furry, he flung his sword away. Then keen, inalid, worm-loop-patterned steel was hurled to the ground: he would have to rely on the strength of his arm"(1533-1536). Once again the awesome strength of Beowulf is shown again. This quote adds to the image of brute first that Beowulf emits. You get to know that Beowulf shows no fear, that he is willing to engage a fierce monster with nothing but his bare fists in hand to hand combat. With his savage determination and his immense strength he is of course victorious against the demonic beast of Grendel's mother.