Beowulf Boast like a Pro to Boost Confidence
For Beowulf, boasting was more than just bragging about his accomplishments. Boasting in Beowulf was akin to writing a powerful resume in modern times.
He offered examples of his prowess and promised the king that he was the best man for the job.
The job Beowulf wanted wasn’t one that involved sitting behind a desk or sharpening pencils. He wanted a shot at destroying the monster, Grendel.
What is Boasting in Beowulf?
In the Beowulf boast poem lines, we learn more about our hero. Not only has Beowulf destroyed monsters on his journey to the shores of Heorot, but he has also proven himself worthy where others have failed. He has not come to brag about his accomplishments to an admiring crowd. Hrothgar and his people have suffered from Grendel’s attacks for twelve long years.
Countless men have been taken and devoured by the beast. Beowulf boasts first of his heritage as the son of a legendary soldier, then his own prowess and accomplishments. His boasting is a promise to the king- given the opportunity, he himself will battle the mythical beast and succeed where all others have failed.
While most of us will never face a hairy devilish beast like Grendel, many people could use a strong dose of Beowulf’s confidence when presenting themselves for a job or assignment. Certain college classes and even job training courses encourage partaking in learning to boast like Beowulf.
How to Begin
When you first try to boast like Beowulf, you may feel a bit silly. After all, most of us don’t reference our lineage when applying for a new position or promotion. Yet Beowulf’s pride in his family heritage was a big talking point when he presented his case to the king. Beowulf takes place sometime during the 6th century in Scandinavia.
The region was divided not only by geography but by clans and factions, families who warred and formed alliances that were the stuff of legends. Beowulf speaks of his father’s prowess and adventures, laying the foundation of his own listing of strengths and promises.
Consider your own history, your parents, grandparents, and others in your family.
How did they influence you to become the person you are? Is there someone in your family you look up to who has influenced you?
This may be someone in your school or religious organization for those without strong ties to their biological families. Whoever your mentor is will be the topic of the first part of your boast.
For example, if you want to write a boast like Beowulf, you might write something like:
“Many days ago, a strong infant was born to the proud parents Michael of the Country of the United States, in the humble town of Academia, in the State of Tennessee. The Mother of the infant, who gave forth her effort to bring her life, was called Delores, and she was a woman known for the power of her speech. Even the most valiant man could not stand long under her glare, and her cupcakes were a food fit for gods and legends.
Michael of Academia would go forth in each day and do battle with the might of the Paper Pushers. His pencils were rumored to never dull, and he conquered more reams of Paperwork than any other of his position.
From these legends came forth the mighty Samantha. You may have heard of her, Samantha the Brave, or Samantha the Pen Wielder. Her poems and verses have been heard and sung across the land, in chat rooms of all corners of the grand and glorious Internet.”
While this is a bit silly, the exercise is meant to help you begin considering your qualifications and get into the mindset of an Anglo-Saxon hero.
How to Write a Boast About Yourself Like Beowulf – The Heart of the Matter
As Beowulf continues boasting, he turns from his father’s qualifications to his own. He begins by talking about how he will return to Hygelac with news of his great success. He has proven himself with his past deeds, which included battling giants and sea monsters and rescuing similarly afflicted victims:
“I drove five great giants into chains, chased all of that race from the earth. I swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out on the ocean and killing them one by one. Death was my errand and the fate they had earned.”
Think about your personal accomplishments. Maybe you’ve written a book. Maybe you’ve completed a difficult class. Maybe you’ve learned to ride a bike or use a hula-hoop. Whatever you’ve accomplished in your life, large or small, can become a boasting point. A tip- consider the challenge you overcame.
What made the challenge difficult?
What strengths did you need to call upon in yourself to overcome and complete your quest? Brainstorm your biggest challenges, and make a list of what made them difficult for you.
You might write something like:
Samantha, the daughter of the Mighty Michael of Academia and his beloved wife Delores, the staunchest supporter who stands by his side, has brought honor to her family. In the first grade, in the year of twenty and eleven, a mighty monster terrorized the halls of Academia Elementary, an institution of learning for the youth.
The metal construct stood proud and stern in the schoolyard, daring any comers to approach. The Jungle Gym was a monstrous beast that claimed the courage of all who saw it standing, haughty and silent in the yard.
Young Samantha was not to be swayed. She gathered her courage and approached where others feared to tread. Overcoming the obstacles, she set foot fearlessly upon the structure, conquering the beast after many attempts and endeavors.
She came away victorious, having bested the monster and climbed to the very top. Thus she defeated the beast and brought honor onto her family.
Finish Your Beowulf Boasting Strong
Finally, Beowulf not only boasted of his accomplishments and promised to carry out the task at hand- the destruction of the terrible monster Grendel, he completed the story by not only destroying Grendel but the mother of the monster as well. The story didn’t end with Beowulf’s boasting. He went on to battle the monster. It entered the Hall while Beowulf pretended to sleep, murdering one of the guards.
The Hero leapt to his feet and dove into battle, brawling with Grendel until he finally yanked the monster’s arm off its body. Howling in pain and fury, Grendel fled to its den, where it later died. Beowulf carried out his boast. In fact, he went above and beyond his initial boast to destroy its vengeful mother.
To complete your boasting, consider something you’ve accomplished that you’re proud of. Something that took your initial victory and went above and beyond Beowulf destroyed Grendel, gaining honor and glory for himself, his men, and his king. He went on to destroy Grendel’s mother, stabbing her with a giant’s sword in her own den.
He then returned with Grendel’s head, to assure King Hrothgar and the people of Heorot that the reign of terror had truly ended. Later, Beowulf returned to his own land, where he was declared king. He was a beloved leader of his people. When a dragon threatened his lands, Beowulf went forth once more, to slay the dragon and sacrifice his own life to defend his lands in one last heroic act.
To return to our fictional example, Samantha has come far since conquering the Jungle Gym in the first grade. She has gone on many new adventures. Now, she stands once more on the shores of her former school and has come to face her old nemesis one last time. The Jungle Gym now threatens a new generation of children, and Samantha is the Hero they need.
Ending the boast is telling the rest of the story, bringing the epic quest to a satisfying conclusion:
Samantha The Conquerer returned to the gentle shores of Academia, having sallied forth and conquered such monsters as Internships and gained the Holiest of Grails, the Degree. She returned to answer the call of her people. Finding that her nemesis, the Jungle Gym remained, she came to aid the people of the land who trembled under its haughty silence.
Once more, Samantha would take on the mighty monster, directing and leading the children of the land in an attack that would result in their conquering of the monster. She led the charge, and the Jungle Gym quailed under her assault. Soon, the children played upon the bones of the fell monster, conquering its reign of terror once and for all. Samantha was hailed and renowned as a hero. A plaque with her name now resides upon the Hallowed Walls, and it reads “Samantha Green, 1st Grade Teacher.”
Beowulf’s boasting is a storytelling tool and also a technique of oral communication. By boasting of his accomplishments, Beowulf didn’t just stroke his own ego. He reassured the people of his ability, promised to solve their problems, and created a narrative that recorded his victory.
Poetically Boastful. (n.d.). Retrieved July 31, 2020, from https://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=102671
