Beowulf was considered by many people throughout the poem to be a distinguished, noble leader. After his famous battle with Grendel, he became known as a hero who helped a troubled, helpless king out. It isn't until the end of the poem that we see any criticism about Beowulf at all. However, there are certain times in the poem where Beowulf does not seem to stand as a model of the heroic virtue. There are …showed first 75 words of 786 total…

…showed last 75 words of 786 total…been willing to fight in his place. However, Beowulf still wanted to prove that he was able to fight in battles as he once had. He wanted to show his people that he was a king who had worked for the name and fame that he now held. The fact that Beowulf wanted to fight against the dragon himself shows that this last fight was more selfish and greedy than it was noble and honorable.