Beowulf, the role of the Chorus

Beowulf Essay

In the duration of Seamus Heaney’s rendition of Beowulf, Beowulf was faced with many difficult challenges. Three of which had a particular role in delineating his character: the battle with Grendel, the battle with Grendel’s mother, and his final battle, that of which was with a dragon. In each of the fore-mentioned, Beowulf had specific challenges, disadvantages and advantages. Each of these altered Beowulf’s character, showing evidence in his acts of heroism.
The first of the three challenges Beowulf is faced with is his battle with Grendel. In this battle, Grendel was caught eating one of Beowulf’s soldiers. As he was fleeing, Beowulf grabbed the out stretched hand of Grendel, and twisted it off. “The monster’s whole body was in pain, a tremendous wound appeared on his shoulder. Sinews split and the bone-lappings burst.”(1) Tenacity on Beowulf’s behalf shows much of his heroic character, which is a defining trait related to the challenges...