susmitha chinni- motivation through masculinity

Blog 9/7/2017          Motivation through Masculinity       Blog #2

Masculinity is singularly the most prevalent theme in Beowulf. Gender roles given with in the historical context of when this story was created reinforces the claim that Beowulf is only heroic due to maintaining his masculinity. For this blog entry, we characterize male gender roles as displaying great strengths, having a hero complex, willingness to fight (regardless of good or evil), and further examples similar to those traits. This epic poem has also been so widely popular and spread in English literature because of two great masculine characters (Grendel and Beowulf) are waring with each other.  

Grendel is seen as a great beast and monster because of his rampaging of Heorot. His strength is amplified by the description of people’s grieving of their losses, “ [t]heir mighty prince, the stories leader, sat stricken and helpless, 130 humiliated by the loss of his guard, bewildered and stunned, staring aghast… Grendel struck again with more gruesome murders, malignant by nature, he never showed remorse” (130-137). Grendel’s continued series of attacks and raid on the Danes shift from his initial motivation to simply wreak havoc to maintain this dominating male monster figure head.  


While Beowulf is the poem’s main protagonist, that does not qualify all his heroism as autistic acts. Beowulf was motivated to slay Grendel to maintain his masculine reputation and bring glory to his family lineage. Beowulf’s father was a famous warrior all of the world who is revered. Beowulf has no option, but to be as brave and heroic. In the introduction of his character, Beowulf was described “… no one else like him alive. In his day, he was the mightiest man on earth, high-born and powerful” (196-197). Grendel displayed strength in his destruction of Heorot, Beowulf can be held in higher masculinity because he defeated Grendel, with greater strength. The reverence people had for Beowulf reinforces his masculine ego. This can be proved by Beowulf ruling over the Danes after his victory of Grendel.

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 7, 2017 at 8:16 PM

    I really like how you said that Beowulf was motivated to fight to maintain his masculine reputation. I think that typically people view this type of heroic behavior as selfless, but I would agree with you that it is selfish in actuality. He inserts himself where it may not be his place to save they day, solely because he thinks he is this strong guy capable of anything!

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