Pride in Beowulf, Paradise Lost and Gulliver’s Travels Essay

The theme of in mendnce has been treated in diverse literary texts from the Old Testament to current literature. The scripture says Pride goes ahead destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. (Pr foreverywherebs. 1618) Pride has divers(a) consequences in varied circumstances. Religion views it as a sin, but presumption is also used as a sentiment of honor associated with nonpareils family, nation, or profession which we glorify. In a sense ostentation is a kind of overstretched or high-spirited confidence in whizs world power.It is necessary to a certain degree for the preservation of stars dignity, but beyond that limit it is bad like excessive eating and drinking. Moreover, sometimes people are accused of reserve even so up when its merits shine brighter than modesty. Oxford position Dictionary (online) defines pride as A high, esp. an too high, opinion of angiotensin-converting enzymes suffer worth or sizeableness which gives rise to a feeling or atti tude of superiority over others inordinate self-esteem. In Beowulf king Hrothgar warns Beowulf against pride after his thumping mastery over Grendel.In Gullivers Travels it is pride that leads to war as surface as peace, in Paradise alienated Satans pride leads to his fall from heaven to fossa, yet he continues his battle with pride and zeal. in that respect are human beingy proud moments in Beowulfs life. The milling machinery gains advantage against colossal monsters thrice first in his unarmed battle against Grendel, wherefore with his chosen comrades against Grendels mother with some divine help, and finally his violent death of the fire-breathing flying dragon in old age when he is mortally wounded and dies a heros death.But Beowulfs ingrained humility is never affected by his let onstanding success and even the offer of the crown and peoples adoration. As Hrothgar gives him a heros welcome and praises God for helping him with the gold hilt s term, Take your place, then, with pride and pleasure,/ and move to the feast. (ll. 1882-83) and then he examines the mighty gold hilt offered by Beowulf.He delivers a sermon on pride O flower of warriors, heed of that trap/Do not give way to pride. / For a drawing while your strength is in bloom/ but it fades quickly (ll. 759-1763). He talks wisely about the transience of human youth and power and cites his own example of ignoring the shape of things to come hard reversal from gaiety to grief. Grendel struck/after lying in wait. (ll. 174-76) So the word pride has been used in both good and bad senses.In Gullivers Travels pride has another dimension. OED also define pride as A consciousness of what befits, is due to, or is worthy of oneself or ones position self-respect self-esteem, esp. of a legitimate or good kind or degree. Though of pigmy size the Lilliputians are exceedingly efficient people proud of their skill. They feed, cloth and manage the Mountain man effectively and even with his help a void a war with the Blefuscu. simply in Lilliput Gulliver is amazed to find the emperor and his administration strictly honors the ordinance of reward and punishment. In Brobdingnag Gulliver meets giants who are so honorable and civilized that they chill at the mention of war and ammunitions. The imaginary lands and peoples provide Swift an prospect of launching a scathing attack on the pride of English way of life.In spite of great intellectual powers, his pride turns out to be vanity. His overriding ambition to become a great literary man stood in the way of marriage to either Stella or genus Vanessa, and a man who hated children created a classic of childrens literature. His own obituary reveals the proud author and his works The body of Jonathan Swift, Doctor of Divinity, is conceal here, where fierce indignation can tear his heart no more. Go traveler and imitate, if you can, one who strove with utmost to champion human liberty.In Miltons Paradise Lost Satan defies the Alm ighty God and his angels to wage a war and seize power in heaven. Though he is hurled into hell as punishment, he provides leadership to his demoralized pursual and with Beelzebubs help holds a conference to wage eternal war against God. ilk a proud leader with strategic insight he converts this drubbing as a springboard for the next battle and accordingly inspires his followers with a thunderous callWhat though the field be disconnected? All is not lost the unconquerable will,/ And study of revenge, immortal hate,(ll. 105-07) He instills a confidence in his comrades that victory and defeat are in the hands of the fighters. So his clarion call to his army is addressed to rising their morale and shake off their depression Awake, arise, or be for ever fallen . (l. 330) The uncompromising nature of Satan is revealed in his speech our reform part remains/ to work in close design, by thespian or guile, (Bk. I. ll. 645-46) and his continual emphasis on victory For who can conjectu re submission?War then, war/ open or understood must(prenominal) be resolved. (ll. 661-62) The opposition leader often resorts to disparaging remarks and undermining the image of his advert as Satan debunks God, Who now triumphs, and in excess of joy/ sole reigning holds the tyranny of heaven. (ll. 123-24) Satan shows the right mindset of a master who would not accept anything short of victory as he speaks frankly about it To reign is worth ambition, though in sine/ dampen to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven. (Bk. I. ll. 262-63)Satan represents the freedom-loving individualistic who also demonstrates great pragmatic sense by adapting himself to the harsh realities of Hell and consoles himself with his psychological insight The mind is its own place, and in itself/ Can switch a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. (Bk. I. ll. 254-255) From Beowulf, Gullivers Travels to Paradise Lost pride has evolved from good to bad and the worst it has also passed through spiritual as we ll as secular ramifications.