Pride is the Curse
The man who is swimming against the stream knows the strength of it.
Woodrow Wilson
In my reflection on the epic of Beowulf I would like to bring up the issue of consequences from being proud and honored after performing good and feat. Even though Beowulf is known for his heroism and unreal strength and power over monsters and other nature forces, his being unbeatable, defeating monsters and saving whole towns from their conquering. His honor was never ashamed before his pride went out and led the curse of Grendel to be released on the kingdom, of which Beowulf became a new king. His union with Grendel led into a trap, which was entailed in the newly born golden monster that put to danger the entire kingdom. Defeating the monster that was Beowulf’s creation meant the need in sacrifice, which usually happens in case when one’s pride took over and the need in defeating that kind of emotion appeared.
Author pays our attention to the lesson that must be learnt by reader. Once bad emotion like pride or jealousy is led out of the soul a sacrifice must be done in order to be saved from the consequences of these bad emotions. No matter how strong and mighty person is, when consumed by pride and faced with temptation, chances are that he is to tempted to his desires. Sorrow will follow after all damages are done. To regain the honor, sacrifice is needed. But in real life, it doesn’t have to be that way. Usually people do not sacrifice much, but keep their sins till they die, but then they are going to pay and regret for that sin of pride and honor. Anyway sacrificing is to be made at the any point of individual’s journey in different terms and means of paying for what is done. So while you’re not yet in the pit of guilt and shame, keep your integrity to the last moment.
