Beowulf Article

In the article two things really stood out at me, one being whether or not Beowulf could be seen as a real figure. The other being a statement from the poem, "in every nation one can prosper only by praiseworthy deeds."
Beowulf, can he be seen as a real person that an everyday man can use as a model? I would have to say no because the reader does not gain any real personal insight on his thoughts about his actions. If anything you have to read into the poem very deeply to see a glimce of whether or not he has any thoughts and even then it is still like guess work. If anything some can just see him as, eventhough he is a hero, a heartless bastard, because he has no reactions to any of the deeds he has committed. If you think about it he could be seen as a sadistic murderer, the serial killers of the world, because it seems as though they have no feelings as well and no one can truly relate to them. In fact at times it is hard to even consider him a hero because you do not know how he feels about such deeds.
The statement "in every nation one can prosper only by praiseworthy deeds," can be seen in many countries although in many societies today it is not the only way to prosper. In many war consumed countries those that in the country's mind do great things, such as win battles gain great strength in that nation. Many of them then become a prodominate leader in said country because of what they have done.
In a less let's say evil view, people such as doctors who save the lives of many people, also gain great respect and move up through the "ranks" and start to be searched out for more than others. Although in some societies ours one of the major ones, you can prosper without praiseworthy deeds. Actors and athletes prosper greatly in countries without doing any real praiseworthy deeds, because you can make a great movie or make a spectaular play but that is really not something that should be considered a praiseworthy deed.
Beowulf, I believe is not someone that you can see as a everyday man and hero, he is too outlandish and shows no feelings that someone can relate to. If he did show some sort of emotion he has the potential to be a great hero and many would want to relate to him
This statment about praiseworthy deeds is something that i believe is worth some merit because those that do great things deserve to have the aknowlegement of what they have done and need to be praised.