Tragic+Hero

** ·  By definition, a tragic hero is a protagonist that due to some tragic flaw loses everything he has.  ** 

Beowulf demonstrates **excessive pride** in his boasts and recounts of his accomplishments. In the end, his effort to gain more glory/fame is his downfall. The dragon is something that Beowulf has not faced before, so it presents to him a challenge that he believes he can overcome through his own strength. If he had brought more soldiers, which his pride would not allow, he would most likely survive the encounter. An ideal hero would die in the defense or in the service of his country, but Beowulf dies in the pursuit of his own fame.

Beowulf’s major flaw is hubris. This is shown by his **lack of concern/responsibility in preparing his country** for his eventual death. Despite having lived for so many years, and throwing himself in harm’s way, he takes no precautions over what should happen after his death. A humble king who cares about his people more than the glorification of his name would seek out peace for his country. Nowhere does it say Beowulf even made an attempt at peace. His constant provocation of fighting earned his country many enemies that would descend upon the kingdom as soon as he was dead, but he does not seek to right his wrong, and achieve peace for his country. The **inability to place others in a higher regard** than himself seems an alien concept to Beowulf.

           <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Beowulf fits the tragic hero build because he is born of noble blood. Beowulf claims his lineage through the Geats when he is confronted by the coastguard on the Danish shore. Beowulf’s father was a noble warrior and is renowned around the world. Beowulf also mentions his regal allegiance to his king; Lord Hygelac.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> "It was hard then for the young hero,/ having to watch the one he held so dear/ there on the ground,/ going through his death in agony." Poet, p191, line281 "The treasure had been won,/ bought and paid for by Beowulf's death." Poet. p 191, line 2843.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Although Beowulf fought in many battles and emerged as the clear victor, in the end he loses his life against the dragon. Life is everything, and without it the answer is simple, you no longer exist.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tragically, he lost everything in his last battle with the dragon, due to his “flaw.” In this case, his flaw is his age. With age comes weakness; it is inevitable.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Hrothgar warns Beowulf not to let his pride and confidence be his downfall. He warns him of life’s fragility and that what is may not always be. Strength does not last forever.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> (pg 179) “Go on dear Beowulf do everything you said you would when you were still young and vowed you would never let your name and fame be dimmed while you live. Your deeds are famous so stay resolute my lord and defend your life with the whole of you strength.” –Wiglaf
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> (pg121) “Do not give way to pride. For a brief while you strength is in bloom but it fades quickly. And soon there will follow illness or the sword to lay you low, or the sudden fire or the surge of water or jabbing blade or javelin for the air or repellent age. Your piercing eye will dim and darken and death will arrive, dear warrior, to sweep you away.” –Hrothgar
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> At his battle with the dragon Beowulf is abandoned by his men. The warrior is left alone and deserted.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> (pg 175) “No help of backing was to be had then by his high-born comrades; that hand-picked troop broke rank and ran for their lives to the safety of the woods.”
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> The first step of being a tragic hero is being born into nobility. Beowulf was a relative of Hrethel, the original king of the Geats.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> On page 173, the Beowulf poet writes how Beowulf’s ancient sword never fails him: “Beowulf fought and fate denied him glory in battle...Beowulf was foiled of a glorious victory. The glittering sword, infallible before that day, failed when he unsheathed it, as it never should have.” Beowulf’s confidence in his abilities and his gear was a weakness because he thought his invincible and able to conquer anyone and anything, at any age.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> When Beowulf sat dying in the dragon’s cave, his sudden downfall from being a hero to an ordinary man is common to a tragic hero.

“..owe allegiance to Lord Hygelac. In his day, my father was a famous man, a noble warrior-lord named Ecgtheow..All over the world men wise in counsel continue to remember him.”