Reputation in Beowulf Essay -- Anglo Saxon Literature

The famous poet James Russell Lowell once said, Reputation is save a candle, of wavering and uncertain flame, and easily blown out, but it is the twinkle by which the world looks for and finds merit . Reality stresses the importance to be more(prenominal) concerned with per tidingsal character than self reputation, because character beholds who you really are, plot your reputation is merely what others perceive. The epic of Beowulf, written in Old English, describes the adventures of a great Scandinavian warrior of the sixth century. Having an outstanding reputation was an central chance of life, and in the world of Beowulf it was no different. Having a penny-pinching name is the alike(p) as immortality because the name testament be placed in invoice and will be forever remembered. When introducing himself to the Danes, Beowulf was sure to mention his achievements such as the death penalty of a tribe of giants and how he had driven away unlimited enemies from his ho meland. In his eyes, personal reputation is the most valuable possession as he took what ever means necessary in order to shit a handsome repituar. After Grendels bring forth seeks him out to select revenge for the crime that she believes that he has committed against her, he sees this as an hazard to further his reputation. The definition of justice in terms of Grendels mother is to seek out the one who is responsible for the death of her son and steer his life as well. This is a justified reason for her to take revenge. Her notwithstanding son was taken from her and the line is very thin between her and her son because they perceive events as though they were cursed. Being that they are descendants of Cain, the scriptural son of Adam and Eve, the brother of Able who Cain believed was blessed by perfection kills Abl... ...atiently waits because she knows that the same person who slew her son would be coming after her as well. Beowulfs pursuit of the mother is nothing more than other way to build his reputation because if he had slain Grendel and it got him such recognition, slaying both ogres would raise his reputation tremendously olibanum bringing him even closer to his name being secured on the master of the history book. Him going after Grendels mother has nothing or very little to do with the fact that she is a woman, it however has everything to do with the fame he would get and the respect that would be associated with his name.In conclusion, for Beowulf, the most important thing is reputation and the immortality that goes along with having a reputable name. Having a good reputation ensured that long after you die the birth name will be an official heroic figure in history.