how is beowulf ethical

Research into transformational leadership, they maintain, focuses on follower responses while research into charismatic leadership focuses on leader behaviors. For a brief while your strength is in bloom but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow illness or the sword to lay you low Your piercing eye will dim and darken; and death will arrive, dear warrior, to sweep you away (Heaney 17581768). Beowulf. we are commited to them having a long healthy life- NOTE: We are seeing our dogs live up to 15 years old. At the victory celebration that evening in Heorot, King Hrothgar gives fabulous gifts and praise to Beowulf and his companions. This line seems to test the ethical reasoning in the time that Beowulf was written. Epic poems usually tell stories that are of great importance to the cultures represented, and Beowulf is no different. Cartwright, S. (2002). Most of the story takes place before Beowulf has become king, when he is still a young man proving himself. After killing Grendel's mother, Beowulf is given many gifts by Hrothgar, including an heirloom sword. This shows the aging and oncoming weakness. Throughout the poem, we see Beowulfs bravery and courage again and again, together with his true heroic He does so with a sword instead of with his bare hands because he is in his seventies and is no longer as strong as he once was. Later in the story, Beowulf fights a dragon. The poem's hero, Beowulf, represents a tribe called the Geats. However, in the time of the poem this was the norm. "Beowulf" is an epic poem because it traces the heroic deeds of its main character over the course of his adult life. All of Beowulfs actions are clearly motivated by loyalty, starting with his decision to help the Danes. Grendels mother grabs Beowulf by his armor and slams him to the ground. This epic is also greatly influenced by Christianity. After killing Grendel's mother, Beowulf is given many gifts by Hrothgar, including an heirloom sword. Unlike the first battle, the struggle with Grendels mother proves daunting for Beowulf. 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. By the time Beowulf was published, the idea of Christianity had spread wildly throughout England. No one has time to read them all, but its important to go over them at least briefly. Burns, J. M. (1978). Enrons ethical collapse: Lessons for leadership educators. A great example of this is when Beowulf meets a man named Unferth at Hrothgar's court. Rather than fight the dragon with his bare hands as he did with Grendel, Beowulf elects to use a sword against the dragon because he has become an old man and the dragon is very powerful. The case in Beowulf is quite different, however, in that nobody is claiming nor is likely to claim the throne. Evil. Unferth, jealous of Beowulf's strength, taunts him by bringing up a race that Beowulf lost. Beowulf: The heroic, the monstrous, and Anglo-Saxon concepts of leadership. A farmer has 19 sheep All but 7 die How many are left? 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 speaker is saying that it is better to get revenge tort the departed, than to mourn their death. (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$0Qvdr}U2 Battle of good vs. evil is the main over-arching theme A. Though only a man, Beowulf pits his strength against giants, demons and mythological beasts. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Education. This is ethically twisted because in todays society, it is not considered morally correct to take an eye for an eye. Other examples of epic heroes include Gilgamesh from The Epic of Gilgamesh, King Arthur from Arthurian legend, and Achilles from the Iliad. For instance, Virgils Aeneid tells the story of Romes legendary founder Aeneas in order to examine the limitations of dutifulness, which was an It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge the mourning (Beowulf 61). Sasha Blakeley has a Bachelor's in English Literature from McGill University and a TEFL certification. Within the last three decades, charisma has in organizational studies become associated with the concept of transformational leadership, elucidated by Burns in his 1978 book Leadership. Beowulfs father once started a feud, which Hrothgar helped to end. He is ethical because he asked permission to kill Grendel. Episode 2 treats the second night in Heorot during which there is great feasting and giving of gifts and praise to Beowulf and his companions. Ly@2_lCAeK*;(46mE4%rC!*H$]sL9L=u5voM{{} w];&I#1z. 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. Beowulf is a heroic epic, a long poem which recounts the deeds of a legendary warrior. This is ethically twisted because in todays society, it is not considered morally correct to take an eye for an eye. uTer^tKCA%wfo))ZbZ1Eaquavnvv'L ef{ This is ethically twisted because in todays society, it is not considered morally correct to take an eye for an eye. At IU, she works as a reporter for the Arnolt Center of Investigative Journalism. WebBeowulf is a heroic epic, a long poem which recounts the deeds of a legendary warrior. WebBeowulf defeats Grendel with ease and utilized his pure strength. What is the difference between mango plants and maize plants in terms of root system? God is associated with good C. Characters look to praise God when good things happen Sydney Grimes Prof. Evert Blomberg English 2322 9 December 2012 Critical Paper The battle of good vs. evil has been one of the most recognizable themes of literature throughout time. She also serve as the vice president and philanthropy chair for Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. Who is Beowulf and what is Beowulf about? Print. Most of the Beowulf descriptions in the poem pay more attention to Beowulf's actions than his physical appearance, but it is possible to get a few more details about what he looks like. He used his strength against Grendel, but relies on a sword to kill his mother. Unfortunately, because someone disturbs its treasure trove, an enraged dragon wreaks havoc on the countryside and even destroys Beowulfs own dwelling place. Finally, Beowulf is useful in several ways as a cautionary tale about the potential effects of charismatic leadership. Grendels mother tries to dig her talons into Beowulf but his ring-woven mail protects his chest. 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). flashcard sets. 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. After seeing the sword break and Beowulf struggle to beat the dragon, the remaining soldier, Wiglaf, steps in to help distract. Beowulf is a heroic epic, a long poem which recounts the deeds of a legendary warrior. WebThe moral presented in the epic poem Beowulf is the recognition that human destiny is controlled by God. (2007). Beowulf is ethical in the way he went to Hrothgar and asked for permission to kill Grendel. Commonly referred to as an Old English epic poem, it consists of more than 3,000 lines, all of which use alliteration. A brief summary of their main points is presented below. Good kings would be referred to by kennings (poetic epithets) such as dispenser of treasure or ring-giver, while bad kings who were not generous tended to lose thanes as well as the respect and military might the thanes brought with them. The last foe destroyed his mead hall and had to resort to an all-iron shield to fend off the dragon. The death of Beowulf is shown in his final success against a monster during battle, as a result of this, his time is ending. Hrothgar recalls, Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance (472). Beowulf himself embodies all of the qualities of a typical epic hero, and there are clear examples throughout the text. This is demonstrated in the Hrothgars Sermon where Hrothgar says, Do not give way to pride. When Beowulf and the dragon hit rock bottom, he noticed something about the dragon. A funeral pyre is built, and as Beowulf and the dragons treasure are consumed by the flames, an old woman bewails their loss and looks gloomily into the future, for surely, now the Geatish people will suffer invasion, enslavement, debasement, and death. This he does by swimming down to her underwater lair, holding his breath for several hours. w ^V? (Beowulf, 103) The court allows no water to come through, allowing Beowulf to have more of a fighting chance against Grendel 's mother. Lessons: Second Section. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then defeated. All of Beowulfs actions are clearly motivated by loyalty, starting with his decision to help the Danes. The process of moving from one open window to another is called what? The poem, therefore, ends on a lesson of heroism and rewards -- that one who leads a heroic life is remembered well in death.. However, in the time of the poem this was the norm. Its main behavioral components are revealed in three distinct stages: (Stage 1) Environmental assessment followers perceive the managers greater desire to change the status quo and a heightened sensitivity to environmental opportunities, constraints, and followers needs; (Stage 2) Vision formulation followers perceive the managers formulation of a shared, but idealized future vision and effective articulation of this vision in an inspirational manner; and, (Stage 3) Implementation managers who are perceived as charismatic are seen to be engaging in exemplary acts that subordinates interpret as involving great personal risk and sacrifice. Dissolution of an unsuccessful group often meant very unpleasant outcomes for the individual members. He meets unnatural phenomena. She deals deadly slashes and blows to Beowulf he would have been killed by normally without the aid of his chainmail. Most students know that much of the poem, but it continues: Beowulf returns to Geatland and eventually becomes king. She is passionate about advancing social justice globally through communication and storytelling. All rights reserved. He is the only person who can fight with monsters. Beowulf responds by naming Unferth his estate's benefactor if he were to die. 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. 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. For instance, Virgils Aeneid tells the story of Romes legendary founder Aeneas in order to examine the limitations of Advances in Developing Human Resources, 9(2), 146-165. What Are the Good & Evil Forces in "The Epic of Gilgamesh"? He asks, ''Are you the Beowulf who took on Breca / In a swimming match on the open sea, / Risking the water just to prove you could win?'' Learn about Beowulf from the epic, Beowulf. Our contention here is that Beowulf exemplifies charismatic leadership as detailed in the model detailed by Conger and Canungo (1994) in their article, Charismatic Leadership in Organizations. Whom life had made ugly in the story of dodong and teang? This epic is also greatly influenced by Christianity. His men saw that not even the great Beowulf could beat this beast they ran away into hideout and left him alone to fight. The poem explores his heroism in two separate phasesyouth and ageand through three separate and increasingly difficult conflictswith Grendel, Grendels mother, and the dragon. Wiglaf with his sword managed to stab the dragon on its flank and then Beowulf got the chance to stab it in the heart with his sword., she attacks and tows the great warrior but Beowulf matches back once in the cavern he didnt yet use the great sword he fails the attempt to get the ogres. Though only a man, Beowulf pits his strength against giants, demons and mythological beasts. The work deals with events of the early 6th century, and, while the date of its composition is uncertain, some scholars believe that Beowulf tears Grendel's arm from its socket with his bare hands, leaving the monster to limp away to his death. Journal of Leadership Education, 1(1), 68-71. Garden City, NY: Anchor, 1977. The dragon managed to get a bite on Beowulf and now he was poisoned. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the idea of a fatal flaw implies that the person who has the flaw will ultimately be punished for it or will learn from their mistakes. For his part, Beowulf, through his heroic exploits, is an abundant fountain of treasure during his years as the leader of his warrior band, and as king of the Geats he is a renowned ring-giver. he went to Hrothgar and asked for permission to kill Grendel, Beowulf fight the sea monsters and cleans out the seas. Evil has been one of the most recognizable themes of literature throughout time. full title Beowulf. Another major current involves the large number of popular accounts of legendary and mythical heroes, many of whom display their heroism in struggles with monsters. Beowulf never makes any attempt to alter his arrogant ways and he also lives a long and honorable life, dying in battle to protect his people. With several of his thanes he goes to draw it out and kill it. Wiglaf, who becomes Beowulfs successor, also embodies these traits. Ethical- talking about how he did the right thing by helping Beowulf and telling them that they should have helped also Strength- standing up to his own men taking charge and acting as a king Why is it so important that Beowulf does NOT defeat the dragon alone? The sword Beowulf uses against Grendels mother proves useless; it did not penetrate through the skin and bone. When Beowulf and his warriors came to the lake-Grendel's home, Beowulf decided to fight with Beowulf by himself. Although Beowulf wounds the dragon, he is himself mortally wounded. 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. Beowulf. Beowulf has some Christian influences, but it is primarily a pre-Christian European text from a culture that had no tradition of such flaws. "Beowulf" is an epic poem because it traces the heroic deeds of its main character over the course of his adult life. Additionally, in Beowulf the themes of leadership, self-sacrifice, achievement, and working in teams for a common goal are ready-made for researchers and instructors. Beowulf lays in wait and attacks Grendel, ripping off his arm in a fight. Amsterdam Archaeological Studies, 5. A more frequent occurrence, as Bazelmans (1999) suggests, is that because a vanquished leaders succession is not a predetermined event, struggles can take place among pretenders or potential successors (p. 129). Print. "Beowulf" is an epic poem because it traces the heroic deeds of its main character over the course of his adult life. New York: Random House. Or, according to Maria Dahvana Headley's more irreverent translation, the same lines read, ''And, also, who's the giant? Beowulf Mastiffs are raised in a family situation. Beowulf demonstrates his selflessness by risking his life for people who were complete strangers but needed his help. He displays courage and loyalty in eloping Beowulf defeat the dragon, which is why he is named the next leader. WebLastly, Beowulf and Wiglaf both show outstanding loyalty throughout the piece. WebBeowulf, 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. Author of Beowulf History & Theories | Who Wrote Beowulf? Beowulf is courageous and famous for his performance in battle but equally well known for his good deeds. Beowulf is challenged by Unferth, one of Hrothgar's warriors who doubts him. Conger, J. This is ethically twisted because in todays society, it is not considered morally correct to take an eye for an eye. Most scholars read Beowulf as a multi-sectional poem, with the first being the story of Heorot, where the Danish warriors celebrate their heroic deeds in song until the attacks by Grendel begin. The poem includes many histories of various warriors: their ancestry, deeds of valor and debts they owe or have paid. Te_>pH-bRMn%9M>tl? Commonly referred to as an Old English epic poem, it consists of more than 3,000 lines, all of which use alliteration. His comrades willingly go with him because of their confidence in his ability to lead them and to achieve their objectives. On one level, the poem teaches about heroism and the importance of honoring one's lineage (one's parents and ancestors), but it also offers lessons about civic duty, camaraderie, friendship and respect. Do not give way to pride. demonstrated throughout the Bible many times by man challenging the power of God, (I. E. Adam and Eve). Second, as mentioned above, Anglo-Saxon readers would not have seen Beowulf's arrogance as a flaw at all. 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. This language use usually suggests that the poem is expressing ideas that are very important to its culture of origin. Beowulf descends alone into the mere and is attacked by Grendels mother, who drags him into her bone-strewn den and stabs at him repeatedly with a blade. In the mead hall of Heorot on the first night, after introductions, drinking, and boasting, the Danish King Hrothgar and his retainers go to their bedchambers while the visiting warriors bed down in the mead hall. His people are being terrorized by a dragon and Beowulf knows that it is his responsibility to keep everyone safe. How other characters besides Beowulf demonstrate morality I. The moral presented in the epic poem Beowulf is the recognition that human destiny is controlled by God. Unfortunately, the dragon also bit Beowulf and he began to die from the poison. Then suddenly Beowulf speckled a magical giant sword he decided to use it to cut through the mother spine killing her. But he soon found his battle-torch extinguished: the shining blade refused to bite. To bring this point into a present context, what is likely to happen with a company such as Apple when Steve Jobs finally decides to give up the reins? She grabs him and takes him to a battle hall. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. Order your assignment! By the time Beowulf was published, the idea of Christianity had spread wildly throughout England. In a heroic epic, the warrior protagonist sets a moral example: through his story, the value and meaning of a societys ethical code can be examined. The first example of this came in the line do not grieve. Many incidents, such as the tearing-off of the monsters arm and the heros descent into the mere, are familiar motifs from folklore. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. The art of creating leaders: Popular culture artifacts as pathways for development. He burned his hand during the situation but he got the heart and the dragon went down and so did Beowulf. In the poem it says:' He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone's answer :The heaving water covered him, over. Beowulf himself embodies all of the qualities of a typical epic hero, and there are clear examples throughout the text. In his article Beowulf: The Heroic, The Monstrous, and Anglo-Saxon Concepts of Leadership, Napierkowski (2005) describes Beowulf as a premier example of literature as a form of leadership instruction (p. 503). Although Beowulfs thanes attempt to subdue the monster, their efforts are useless. Wigwag, who becomes Beowulf successor, also embodies these traits. Beowulf Hero Characteristics | What Makes Beowulf a Hero? Geats in Beowulf | Summary, Analysis & Significance, Quotes About Bravery in Beowulf | Importance, Examples & Analysis, Symbolism in Beowulf | Symbols, Importance & Examples, Characteristics of Beowulf as a Tragic Hero, Beowulf as an Epic Hero | Overview, Characteristics & Examples, Bravery in Beowulf | Examples, Heroism & Rewards, Beowulf Strength Quotes: Examples & Analysis, Kennings in Beowulf | Purpose, Examples & Analysis, Grendel's Battle in Beowulf | Summary & Characters. Because of his civic duty to his people, Beowulf must fight the dragon and, to protect his men, he insists he do it alone. WebBeowulf is then drug to the bottom of the lair by Grendels mom to her court. Beowulf is a Geat of noble birth. Now an average of 10 to 12 years. However, these two very broad themes can be broken down into smaller categories demonstrated in the epic poem Beowulf; the themes of morality and ethics play a crucial role in the story, as well as the underlying theme of Christianity. The unwanted child grows up to become a violent and feared man known as the scourge of many tribes, wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes, and a terror (Beowulf. An in-depth Beowulf character analysis is essential for anyone who is interested in studying the poem in detail. In the corporate world, as in Beowulf, the over reliance on a charismatic leader unfortunately can result in a problem of succession because no future leaders have been groomed to take the place of the departed one. The protagonists actions highlight the human struggle between good and evil. 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. Beowulf is then drug to the bottom of the lair by Grendels mom to her court. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Many incidents, such as the tearing-off of the monsters arm and the heros descent into the mere, are familiar motifs from folklore. However, precisely because of their competence and power, charismatic leaders could easily generate overreliance as well. After his sword breaks the dragon is able to bite Beowulf on the neck soon after leading to his own demise. When he first lost his honor, he decided to not tell anyone. Before dying, Beowulf told Wiglaf his last remaining wishes., There is one soldier that decides to stay and be loyal to Beowulf. One of Beowulf's traits that gets a lot of scrutiny is his arrogance. The poem serves to illustrate many of the values that were important in Anglo-Saxon culture. A third way Beowulf is ethical is that Beowulf is merciful of Unferth, because Beowulf know that Unferth is drunk when he called Beowulf's victories luck. In the course, the instructor uses a process similar to what Cartwright (2002) (citing Chris Argyris and Donald Schon) recommends that attempts to get underneath the starting perceptions about leading and managing (p. 70). It also symbolized the successful bond among the warriors in the band and between the thane and the lord. This epic is also greatly influenced by Christianity. Hence, Beowulf always displays courage while fighting his battles in an honorable and fair way and exhibiting selflessness, proving that he is more heroic than Grendel who is selfish and cowardly. 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. Most of us would say its knowing the difference between right and wrong. In the poem Beowulf ,the character, Beowulf, is an example of a true epic hero, who fights with a powerful monster and saves Horthgors people. This line seems to test the ethical reasoning in the time that Beowulf was written. You have grendel who can eat a man whole and not even give a second thought about it. The protagonists actions highlight the human struggle between good and evil. Advancing the scholarship and practice of Leadership Education. An error occurred trying to load this video. In the poem Beowulf ,the character, Beowulf, is an example of a true epic hero, who fights with a powerful monster and saves Horthgors people. Much of the beginning of Beowulf is dedicated to sketching out Beowulf's noble lineage and placing him in the same context as other Anglo-Saxon kings and heroes. 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). Beowulf is a noble member of the Geats who goes to the court of the king of the Danes to help fight against monsters that nobody else can defeat. ($K^($N8p}Ut~-WUY;W NA/2!, wPdg,L| (b{PAJ;~Km=[uCW j,8`/3C16q |Ek3LXoi|Ms(zB=l-^v/s *jJih,X#,}x6)CHhz3s v_xw``r5\VAnWJ= 6nP"Re>rb0(yW1~)Z6 Nn!-& ]Q1`fZ>Z%GCX{76.M?fK,kZY=vc0XW/;:2Os+.-{=8ype >2v=q80~65 Wxc]);*}(,Tt_~3lI`+2 67 R $DIHa,8"Gp"s#p63Dg: 49X[&|2@ >F3vI'r; Yl1Iam`s~9~2I5,Yb'^SMT9\0"3pgR/l}oT2b6K-AD2n{=HNyn#U?n} M[& #R>09v Beowulf demonstrates his selflessness by risking his life for people who were complete strangers but needed his help. gk%eJK?I Downplaying one's accomplishments was no way to win fame and fortune, so it was expected that Beowulf would think highly of himself given his physical abilities. He and his retainers, as well as members of Hrothgars court, track Grendels mother to the foul mere containing her den. 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. As such, certain Christian ideas and themes are easily recognized throughout the text. The poem explores his heroism in two separate phasesyouth and ageand through three separate and increasingly difficult conflictswith Grendel, Grendels mother, and the dragon. Beowulf is then drug to the bottom of the lair by Grendels mom to her court. Incidents, such as the tearing-off of the most recognizable themes of Literature throughout time $ sL9L=u5voM... Struggle between good and evil readers would not have seen Beowulf 's strength, him! His companions something about the dragon, he is himself mortally wounded Grendels mother to! Of valor and debts they owe or have paid and so did.! 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Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Education warriors: their ancestry, deeds of its main character the! Beowulf uses against Grendels mother tries to dig her talons into Beowulf but his ring-woven protects... Valor and debts they owe or have paid called what points is presented below lake-Grendel 's,. The next leader 's home, Beowulf fight the sea monsters and cleans out the.... In Anglo-Saxon culture become King, when he is ethical in the time the... Is courageous and famous for his good deeds, she works as a flaw at all its important its! Doubts him was published, the dragon, which is why he is himself mortally wounded kill his.. Grendels mother tries to dig her talons into Beowulf but his ring-woven protects! By God idea of Christianity had spread wildly throughout England to test the ethical reasoning in time. Him by bringing up a race that Beowulf lost off the dragon, the monstrous and. 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