Beowulf: An Epic Hero
Something that is extraordinary must come from a superbly made original. Thi
s is true with the subject of the epic hero, and more specifically with the work of Beowulf. Beowul
f, which is the oldest surviving epic in Anglo-Saxon literature, is a rich fabric of fact and fantas
y. Written by an anonymous scop in 6th century A.D., Beowulf tells the story of a protagonist who r
ids lands of monsters and all things evil. The main character, Beowulf, is an epic hero because he
fulfills the Anglo-Saxon traits of strength, nobility, and courage. Three specific examples of thes
e traits that occur in the poem are Beowulf's battle with the monster Grendel, Beowulf's battle with
Grendel's mother the Sea-Hag, and finally his last encounter with the fire breathing dragon. A hero
is a person noted for their act of courage and the nobleness of their purpose. The hero of an epic
poem embodies the ideals of conduct that are most valued by the culture in which the epic was compos
ed. Beowulf is described as a perfect hero who fights for his people and vanquishes evil with his e
xtraordinary abilities to bring peace and justice. Three of Beowulf's traits that support this are
his amazing physical strength, his nobleness and decency toward people, and his fearless and courage
ous nature. Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physical strength. H
e fights in numerous battles and returns victorious from all but his last. Beowulf is strong enough
to kill the monster Grendel, who has been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years, with his bare han
ds by ripping off Grendel's arm: "He [Grendel] twisted in pain, and the bleeding sinews deep in his
shoulder snapped, muscle and bone split and broke" (105-108). This feat of great strength really op
ened the eyes of the Danes to Beowulf's greatness. Beowulf proves himself worthy of the people's pr
aise once again when he is fighting Grendel's mother, who is seeking revenge on her son's death. "T
hen he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their ma
gic, the best of all weapons but so massive that no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated
length" (242-246). He is able to slay her by slashing the monster's neck with a giant's sword that
can only be lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf. This strength is a key trait of Beowulf's her
oism. Beowulf's greatest physical accomplishment ends up to be his final hour against the fire brea
thing dragon. "...that final day was the first time when Beowulf fought and fate denied him glory i
n battle" (332-334). Although Beowulf's life was put to an end, his acts of great strength led to o
ther people's lives being spared because of his slaying of the dragon. Another heroic trait of Beowu
lf is his nobility and graciousness toward people. Beowulf's ability to put his people's welfare be
fore his own demonstrates this trait superbly. Beowulf's uncle, the king of the Geats, sends Beowul
f as an emissary to help rid the Danes of the evil Grendel. "That mighty protector of men meant to
hold the monster till its life leaped out..." (81-83). Beowulf risks his own life for the Danes, as
king help from no one. After killing Grendel, Beowulf searches for and kills Grendel's mother "...h
e leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone's answer..." (179-180). He realizes the dangers b
ut fears nothing for his own life. After Beowulf had serves his people as King of the Geats for fift
y years, he goes to battle one last time to fight a horrible dragon that is terrorizing all of his p
eople. "But I shall be meeting molten venom in the fire he breathes, so I go forth in mail-shirt an
d shield." (281-283). Beowulf is old and tired but he defeats the dragon in order to protect his peo
ple. Fighting the dragon shows Beowulf's endless honor to his people and his courage that far surpa
sses any other man. The most heroic of traits within Beowulf is that he is not afraid to die. In hi
s battle with Grendel, Beowulf gave himself to Grendel in order to initiate the fight: "Then he step
ped to another still body, clutched at Beowulf with his claws, grasped at a strong-hearted wakeful s
leeper-and was instantly seized himself, claws bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm" (36-40).
Beowulf's courage is clearly shown when he tricks Grendel into thinking that he is asleep because no
t many men would put themselves in direct line for an attack like that. Beowulf's fear, again, is n
owhere to be seen when he fights the Sea-Hag, "If weapons were useless he'd use his hands, the stren
gth in his fingers" (218-219). Beowulf's valor in fighting this monster remains even if he cannot u
se weapons. This kind of courage is unmatched with anyone in his time. After fifty years, Beowulf
decides to battle against the fire breathing dragon, knowing very well that this may be his last, "I
shall win the gold by my courage, or else mortal combat, doom of battle, will bear your lord away"
(294-296). Even with the enormous amount of confidence Beowulf possesses, he understands that fate
will work its magic no matter what and he could be killed at any point in his life. He faces that re
ality by showing no fear and preparing for a positive or a fatal outcome. Beowulf is the prime examp
le of an epic hero, and he embodies the conduct that the Anglo-Saxons of that time admired and also
used as a model of perfection. His strength, his honor and respect for his people, and the fact tha
t he does not fear death makes him revered by all, especially those of his time. These are prime ex
amples that support the idea that Beowulf was an epic hero that served as an example to those of his
time.
beowulf epic hero something that extraordinary must come from superbly made original this tr
ue with subject epic hero more specifically with work beowulf beowulf which oldest surviving epic an
glo saxon literature rich fabric fact fantasy written anonymous scop century tells story protagonist
rids lands monsters things evil main character hero because fulfills anglo saxon traits strength no
bility courage three specific examples these traits that occur poem battle with monster grendel batt
le grendel mother finally last encounter fire breathing dragon person noted their courage nobleness
their purpose poem embodies ideals conduct that most valued culture which composed described perfect
fights people vanquishes evil extraordinary abilities bring peace justice three traits support this
amazing physical strength nobleness decency toward people fearless courageous nature eyes fellow th
rough amazing physical strength fights numerous battles returns victorious from last strong enough k
ill monster grendel been terrorizing danes twelve years bare hands ripping twisted pain bleeding sin
ews deep shoulder snapped muscle bone split broke this feat great really opened eyes danes greatness
proves himself worthy people praise once again when fighting mother seeking revenge death then hang
ing wall heavy sword hammered giants strong blessed their magic best weapons massive ordinary could
lift carved decorated length able slay slashing monster neck giant sword only lifted person strong t
rait heroism greatest physical accomplishment ends final hour against fire breathing dragon final fi
rst time when fought fate denied glory battle although life acts great other lives being spared beca
use slaying dragon another heroic trait nobility graciousness toward ability welfare before demonstr
ates trait superbly uncle king geats sends emissary help danes evil mighty protector meant hold till
life leaped risks life asking help from after killing searches kills mother leaped into lake would
wait anyone answer realizes dangers fears nothing after serves king geats fifty years goes last time
fight horrible terrorizing shall meeting molten venom fire breathes forth mail shirt shield tired d
efeats order protect fighting shows endless honor courage surpasses other most heroic within afraid
gave himself order initiate fight then stepped another still body clutched claws grasped hearted wak
eful sleeper instantly seized himself claws bent back leaned clearly shown when tricks into thinking
asleep because many would themselves direct line attack like fear again nowhere seen fights weapons
were useless hands fingers valor fighting remains even cannot weapons kind unmatched anyone time af
ter fifty years decides against breathing knowing very well shall gold else mortal combat doom will
bear your lord away even enormous amount confidence possesses understands fate will work magic matte
r what could killed point faces reality showing fear preparing positive fatal outcome prime example
embodies conduct anglo saxons admired also used model perfection honor respect fact does fear death
makes revered especially those these prime examples support idea served example thoseEssay, essays,
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