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Beowulf philosophy essay heroism and the good life

Comparative Essay: Beowulf, Heroism, and Philosophies of the Good Life

Course Context

Course: PHIL– Introduction to Ethics and the Good Life (, philosophy department)
Assignment type: Individual comparative essay (literature as a case study in moral philosophy)
Length: 3–4 double‑spaced pages (approximately 900–1,200 words), excluding title page and Works Cited
Weight: 20% of final course grade
Due: Week 7, Sunday 11:59 p.m. (upload as .docx or .pdf via LMS)

Assignment Overview

Philosophical discussions of the good life often centre on questions of virtue, happiness, honour, duty, and the tension between individual fulfilment and responsibility to others. Critics who write on Beowulf frequently describe the poem’s hero as a figure who embodies a particular moral outlook that values bravery, loyalty, and reputation, even at the cost of long‑term security.

You will write a short comparative essay that places Beowulf’s way of life in conversation with one ethical framework studied in this course, such as virtue ethics, utilitarianism, or existentialist views of authenticity. The aim is to use the poem as a concrete case that can test and clarify philosophical ideas about what it means to live well.

Essay Task

Write a 3–4 page essay that addresses the following prompt:

  • How far does Beowulf’s pursuit of honour, fame, and loyalty represent a defensible picture of the good life when viewed through one ethical theory studied in this course?

Guidance for Developing Your Argument

  • Select one ethical framework from the course (for example, Aristotle’s virtue ethics, Mill’s utilitarianism, or an existentialist approach to authenticity and responsibility).

  • Identify two or three key choices Beowulf makes, such as accepting the fight with Grendel, choosing to battle the dragon in old age, or deciding how to treat treasure and followers.

  • Explain how your chosen ethical theory would interpret those actions and the kind of life they express (for example, a life focused on excellence of character, on maximising overall happiness, or on authentic commitment).

  • Argue for your own position on whether Beowulf’s pattern of life should count as a good life according to that theory, and where you see tensions or failures.

Use of Sources and Citation

  • Use Beowulf as your primary literary text and quote or closely paraphrase moments that reveal Beowulf’s motives, values, or reflections on life and death.

  • Draw on at least one primary philosophical text or course reading that presents the ethical theory you choose (for example, a passage from Aristotle, Mill, or a contemporary textbook).

  • Engage with at least one scholarly or critical source on Beowulf and heroism or the ideal life, such as analyses that ask whether Beowulf is an “ideal hero” or how his qualities appear to modern readers.

  • Use MLA style for in‑text citations and include a Works Cited page.

Structure and Presentation

  • 3–4 pages, double‑spaced, 12‑point Times New Roman or similar font, 1‑inch margins.

  • Title that signals your specific angle (for example, “Honour, Happiness, and the Good Life in Beowulf under Virtue Ethics”).

  • Introduction that names your chosen ethical framework, briefly situates Beowulf, and states your central claim about whether his life fits the theory’s picture of living well.

  • Body paragraphs that first lay out relevant features of the theory and then interpret Beowulf’s actions through that lens.

  • Conclusion that summarises your evaluation and notes one way the poem helps clarify strengths or limits of the ethical view you used.

Grading Rubric (100 points)

1. Philosophical Argument and Focus (25 points)

i. Excellent (22–25): Presents a clear and focused thesis on whether Beowulf’s life counts as good under the chosen ethical framework; consistently connects literary discussion to philosophical concepts such as virtue, happiness, duty, or authenticity.
ii. Good (18–21): States a coherent main idea; maintains a reasonable balance between philosophical explanation and discussion of the poem, with minor drift into general commentary.
iii. Satisfactory (14–17): Offers a general claim about Beowulf and the good life; explanation of the ethical framework is incomplete or only loosely tied to the analysis.
iv. Limited (0–13): Mainly retells the story or lists traits; little real engagement with ethical theory.

2. Use of Beowulf as a Philosophical Case (25 points)

i. Excellent (22–25): Uses well‑chosen moments from the poem to illustrate choices, motivations, and evaluations of Beowulf’s life; explains clearly how these details support the philosophical argument.
ii. Good (18–21): Refers to relevant scenes and traits; some explanation of how they relate to the chosen theory, with occasional reliance on summary.
iii. Satisfactory (14–17): Mentions parts of the poem in broad terms; examples are sometimes weakly connected to the theoretical discussion.
iv. Limited (0–13): Minimal or inaccurate textual evidence; misreading of key actions or values.

3. Understanding and Application of Ethical Theory (20 points)

i. Excellent (18–20): Explains core elements of the chosen ethical framework accurately; applies them carefully to Beowulf’s life; shows awareness of possible objections or complexities.
ii. Good (15–17): Provides a generally accurate account of the theory; application to the poem is mostly sound, with some simplification.
iii. Satisfactory (11–14): Basic understanding of the theory; application remains at a surface level or contains minor confusions.
iv. Limited (0–10): Significant misunderstandings of the theory; weak or incorrect application to the text.

4. Engagement with Scholarly or Critical Sources (15 points)

i. Excellent (13–15): Uses at least one philosophical source and one Beowulf-focused critical source; summarises each fairly and shows clearly how they support or challenge the essay’s position.
ii. Good (10–12): Incorporates required sources; summaries and connections are mostly clear but may be brief.
iii. Satisfactory (7–9): Mentions sources but treats them mainly as background; limited analysis of their arguments.
iv. Limited (0–6): Little or no genuine engagement with philosophical or literary criticism; overreliance on unscholarly web summaries.

5. Organisation, Writing Quality, and MLA Format (15 points)

i. Excellent (13–15): Essay follows a logical structure; paragraphs are focused and connected; writing is clear and mostly error‑free; MLA citations and Works Cited are accurate and consistent.
ii. Good (10–12): Organisation is clear; some uneven paragraphs; writing is generally clear with minor errors; MLA mostly correct.
iii. Satisfactory (7–9): Basic structure in place; noticeable mechanical errors and occasional confusion; MLA incomplete or inconsistent.
iv. Limited (0–6): Disorganised or difficult to follow; citation format largely incorrect or missing.

Sample Essay Opening

Moral philosophers who defend virtue ethics often describe the good life as one that develops stable excellences of character over time, rather than as a life that simply collects pleasures or avoids pain. Beowulf’s story offers a useful test of that view because the hero seems to embody courage, loyalty, and generosity, yet he also embraces risk and fame in ways that leave his community exposed. The poem presents him as a figure whose bravery earns admiration and whose devotion to honour shapes every major decision, from his battle with Grendel to his final fight with the dragon.

A recent essay on Beowulf as an ideal hero argues that his combination of strength, bravery, and loyalty makes him a model of heroic excellence, although modern readers sometimes question the wisdom of his last battle. A virtue ethicist might say that Beowulf develops some virtues to a high degree, such as physical courage and commitment to his king and people, while failing to show practical wisdom when he chooses a solitary fight that risks leaving the Geats leaderless. The tension between admirable traits and tragic outcomes invites a careful judgment about whether his life truly qualifies as good in a philosophical sense, even as the poem continues to celebrate his glory.

Modern ethical interpretations also highlight that Beowulf demonstrates the interplay between individual excellence and communal responsibility. By examining how his actions affect both his own honour and the well‑being of his people, students can better understand the balance between personal virtue and social consequences in evaluating what constitutes the good life (Warren 2015).

Sample Works Cited (MLA – 5 items)

 Learning Resources

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Related Topics:

#Beowulf and the good life#Beowulf MLA comparative ethics#Beowulf philosophy assignment#Beowulf virtue and happiness

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