Self-Pride: Revised

Self-Pride

            In the epic poem "Beowulf," written by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet, a narrator recounts the tales of a man named Beowulf who is incontrovertibly the greatest hero of their time. Beowulf travels miles over an ocean to slay the demonic monster Grendel, who is wreaking havoc on the Danes, and soon after kills Grendel's bellicose mother. After returning home, he becomes King and, fifty years later, slaughters a dragon who is destroying his kingdom. Though he may appear to be noble and courageous, Beowulf, through his "selfless" acts, in reality is a man who is guilty of hubris and is solely concerned with himself. This is apparent throughout Beowulf's trials against Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon.

            Beowulf first arrives in Denmark because word has traveled that the Danes are suffering from a demonic creature. Beowulf's voyage to conquer Grendel is symbolic of how only he can commit the act. As Grendel is ravaging through Heorot, Beowulf attacks him with his bare hands; this is symbolic of Beowulf being too powerful to succumb to mortal weapons such as a sword. When he severs Grendel's arm from its socket, "Proof of this...was displayed beneath the high gabled roof." (36) By displaying Grendel's gory arm at the head of the mead hall, Beowulf is again supporting the fact that only he could defeat Grendel. In showing the arm, Beowulf is also showing his might and impenetrable force for all Danes and Geats alike to see and praise. Later on, when Beowulf is being praised for his deeds, he notes that he is only wishes that he could have killed Grendel so all could see his corpse. A lifeless corpse in the mead hall would bear both a physical and spiritual meaning. By killing Grendel, Beowulf is showing his omnipotence in terms of his physical strength. Spiritually, a lifeless corpse shows Beowulf's ability to remove the life force and spirit of a living being.

            As Beowulf is preparing to leave, Grendel's mother then storms into the hall and takes Grendel's arm and flees. Instead of leaving after receiving treasures from King Hrothgar, Beowulf vows to find the witch. Symbolically, it would have been impossible for Beowulf to turn down the chance to kill yet another monster; the pride that would come with it is unfathomable. In Beowulf's eyes, two dead monsters are better than one. More so, Beowulf did not gain total fame because he is not able to kill Grendel in Heorot; as a result, he needs to compensate. When he faces Grendel's mother, he struggles and finally uses a giant blade to pierce her neck, and, "the man is pleased with his work." (57) In lieu of leaving after completing his task, he sees Grendel's body and severs the head, making his comrades plunge a spear through it for display. This instinct of his battle is almost incontrovertible for Beowulf to have because it is a daily reminder of what Beowulf's unconquerable strength is. People can see and even feel Beowulf's victory in lieu of only hearing about it orally. Beowulf's supremacy would also be unquestioned because he brings back proof of his heroism.

            Beowulf's pride is ultimately tested when he faces the dragon fifty years later after being crowned King.  After raining fire upon King Beowulf's land, he quickly becomes enraged. Beowulf's anger is a direct result of his pride and ego being impaled; to Beowulf, the dragon attacking his land shows his superiority over Beowulf, as if he can simply attack his land without consequence. Instead of building a vast army, Beowulf sets off with a few warriors to destroy the dragon himself. Nearing old age, Beowulf does not want anyone to forget that he is not only a King but a God; his tales of defeating Grendel and his mother are satisfying, but defeating a dragon would be an unmatchable feat. In the battle between Beowulf and the dragon, a warrior named Wiglaf stabs the dragon, but Beowulf is the one to deliver the fatal blow. In this act, Beowulf wants to take the glory for himself, and hacks away at the dragon's flesh. As Beowulf is slowly dying from the dragon's poisonous bite, he orders Wiglaf to enter the dragon's den to see some of its treasures, noting, "I would resign the life and lordship I have long held with more ease when I look upon this splendid hoard." (86) By sending Wiglaf to retrieve the treasures and show them to him, he is for the last time looking at what his power and will resulted in. Also, this wealth granted by Beowulf will help his kingdom for generations to come, another symbol of their dependence on Beowulf. After this, he orders his men to create a memorial of him on a hill looking out into the sea, By creating a  grave higher than any other structure, Beowulf is signaling that he is still greater than any other being, even in death.

            Clearly, Beowulf's acts are a perfect example of his obsession to better than everyone else. He wants the world to know who he is, and he viciously fights to reach the level of God. More  importantly, Beowulf demonstrates the human condition: people think only for themselves. Humans in their very own nature are at the top of the pyramid because they prey on other animal species. Children are aggressive with their toys, just as adults are possessive with their belongings. Any "benevolent act", such as Beowulf removing the problem of Grendel or the dragon, is an illusion for doing something that will make you more highly regarded and esteemed than someone who does not step up to the challenge. The concept that humans think only of themselves has endured the test of time from Beowulf all the way to the 21st century, and it is one that will never fade from existence.