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Bravery
Bravery
Bravery
Bravery is like a very trusted friend, it will never let you down. That statement holds true in the great epic of "Beowulf." "Beowulf" is the story of a great hero who comes to the aid of a troubled king. Beowulf hears that king Hrothgar is having trouble and immediately comes to help with no questions asked. he defeats the monster, Grendel, with his bare hands. Beowulf then defeats Grendel's mother along with a dragon until he is fatally injured. Bravery is a very admirable characteristic that few people possess.
Book 11, lines 40-50 - Odysseus is in Hell and awaiting the appearance of the blind seer. He is surrounded by ghosts who wish to drink the sacrificial blood but he keeps them off. (He states that "green fear" overtook him but he stays the course). Then he spends a great deal of time in Hades questioning the ghosts until the fear of death & decay does overcome him and he flees to his ship.
When Oedipus succeeds, freeing the city from the Sphinx's evil reign, he becomes instantly famous and known for his bravery and intelligence. A temple priest reveals the respect the Thebans have for their king when he tells Oedipus, "You freed us from the Sphinx, you came to Thebes and cut us loose from the bloody tribute we had paid that harsh, brutal singer. We taught you nothing, no skill, no extra knowledge, still you triumphed" (44-47)