Beowulf: From Glory-Hound to the Bloody King
– Why We Need Him Back —
Alright, you lot, gather 'round. We're diving headfirst into Beowulf, that Old English epic that's more than just dusty verse – it's a bloody blueprint for heroism, and frankly, we could do with a bit more of that these days.
From Selfish Bastard to Selfless Protector:
Let's be honest, Beowulf starts out as a bit of a glory hound. He hears about some monster causing trouble, and buggers off to Denmark, uninvited, mind you, to make a name for himself. His own elders weren't keen but knew better than to try and stop the headstrong sod. Is he selfish? Arrogant? Probably. But that ambition, that needs to be renowned, is the spark that ignites his journey.
Fast forward fifty years, and what do we have? A king, yes, but more importantly, a protector. He's old, his enemies fear him, and there's not much left to prove. Yet, when a dragon threatens his people, he doesn't hesitate. He goes in alone, perhaps foolishly so, but with the intent to shield his "best men" from certain death. He wants to die a man, a king, not just some decrepit old codger fading away. This isn’t about glory anymore; it’s about duty and a profound love for his people.
Wiglaf: The Loyalist Among the Cowards
let's talk about Wiglaf. When the dragon shows up and everyone else legs it, who's standing shoulder to shoulder with Beowulf? Wiglaf. A beacon of loyalty in a sea of yellow-bellied cowards. He risks his neck, knowing full well that the dragon could turn him into toast. Without Wiglaf, Beowulf might have fallen, and the dragon would have been free to wreak havoc. He’s the embodiment of kinship, a vital Anglo-Saxon virtue. He's putting his neck on the line because that's what "Men" used to do.
Beowulf protected those people for half a century. You can understand why he didn't want them getting torched by some Dragon.
Anglo-Saxon Values: More Than Just Mead and Mayhem
Beowulf isn’t just a cracking story; it’s a window into the Anglo-Saxon soul. Loyalty, courage, honour, a grim acceptance of fate (Wyrd), generosity, a thirst for revenge, a strong sense of community – these are the values that shaped their world. And the poet bloody well knew it. He crafted Beowulf to embody these ideals, making him more than just a hero; he’s a representation of what that culture held dear.
The Ideal Hero? Fuck Yes!
Now, here's where I get a bit fired up. Beowulf is the archetypal masculine hero. Strong, brave, resolute, willing to die for what he believes in. Something we seem to have lost in recent years, haven’t we? Was Aragorn from that Lord of the Rings film the last time we saw a proper masculine hero on the big screen? Now it's all emasculated man-childs. It's pathetic.
Before you eat me alive in the comments, I know, I'm just over-exaggerating to make a point.
We need to bring back the Beowulf-style hero. A man that other men can look up to, someone who embodies courage and duty, without apology. Masculinity shouldn't be a dirty word; it should be celebrated. Our heroes should inspire us, not make us cringe. Beowulf has been around for 1300 years! This woke BS only started 10 years ago and is already going down the drain, so do your job, and write good Men again.
Bring Back the Action Hero
Beowulf isn't just some relic of the past; he's a reminder of what we're capable of. So, let's ditch the simpering, self-doubting protagonists and bring back the action hero. The world needs a bit more Beowulf right now.
Now, off you pop and spread the word!
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