How is sympathy for Beowulf encouraged throughout the epic? Provide textual evidence for support.

Throughout the majority of the epic, Beowulf is seen as an epic hero. He is portrayed as a courageous, strong leader. A later section in Beowulf, titled "The Last Battle," is where readers can really see where sympathy is encouraged for the brave leader of the Geats. 

As indicated by the title, the section in which Beowulf battles the dragon is indeed his last and final battle. In just the first eight lines of...

Throughout the majority of the epic, Beowulf is seen as an epic hero. He is portrayed as a courageous, strong leader. A later section in Beowulf, titled "The Last Battle," is where readers can really see where sympathy is encouraged for the brave leader of the Geats. 

As indicated by the title, the section in which Beowulf battles the dragon is indeed his last and final battle. In just the first eight lines of the section, he says goodbye to all his followers for the last time; and his age and determination are revealed.

And Beowulf uttered his final boast:

"I've never known fear, as a youth I fought

In endless battles. I am old, now, 

But I will fight again, seek fame still,

If the dragon hiding in his tower dares

To face me." 

Then he said farewell to his followers, 

Each in his turn, for the last time:

Goodbyes are generally seen as a sad moment in the lives of people, especially when it is a goodbye for the final time. 

The admittance of his age and the assertion of calling himself "old" is sad in the sense that Beowulf knows he is going into battle with a disadvantage that he didn't have in his youthful years. 

Another place in this same section in which readers can find themselves sympathetic to Beowulf is when he is so close to defeat and all but one of his followers abandon him. 

The poem states: 

None of his comrades

Came to him, helped him, his brave and noble

Followers; they ran for their lives, fled

Deep in a wood. And only one of them

Remained, stood there, miserable, remembering, 

As a good man must, what kinship should mean.

The one man who stuck by his side was his cousin Wiglaf. Wiglaf gave thought to the memories he had with Beowulf and all the honorable things Beowulf had done for him. He reflected on how much he owes him. Readers sympathize with Beowulf because he was deserted by all the men who owed him their loyalties, and they should have shown him the respect and courage that he, for so long, had shown them.