Preview

Beowulf Epic Hero

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
742 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Beowulf Epic Hero
Have you ever wondered where the concept of creation of the epic hero cycle originated from? For over centuries, the old super hero vs. evil villain story has been told over and over again, and it all started with the Anglo-Saxons' story of Beowulf. The archetype for all epic hero cycle stories. Various stories evolved from Beowulf, which contain the same concept, but changing the characters, setting, and etc. Beowulf displays heroic character traits, as well as many other heroes today. For example, one epic hero that possesses heroic qualities is Harry Potter. In my opinion, Harry Potter would be a hero in our society today. Not so much for his physical capabilities, but because he is reluctant to recognize the role that is chosen for him. Both heroes are strikingly similar, and yet they are remarkably different at the same time; Harry has no desire to fight off evil, but when he is called upon, …show more content…
Harry's evil life long enemy is Voldemort who in turn is like Grendel from Beowulf. Voldemort terrorizes people in the wizarding world, while Grendel disturbs the people of Herot. In the 4th book of the Harry Potter series, which was “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”, Voldemort set up a trap near the end of the story to lure in Harry Potter, so he can kill him. Harry didn't ask for this to happen, he never wanted to defeat one of the most evil and powerful wizards of the wizarding world, but he was destined to, so he steps up to the plate and fights him. However, Harry was always ready to fight, like Beowulf, he is ready to take on his enemy. In the text of Beowulf, it states, “Then he stepped to another still body, clutched at Beowulf with his claws,grasped at a strong-hearted wakeful sleeper —And was instantly seized himself, claws bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm...” (The Battle With Grendel) This describes how Grendel unknowingly grabbed Beowulf, and Beowulf was ready to attack
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Beowulf's Heroic Super-Hero
    • 790 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf's Heroic Super-Hero

    In the story of Beowulf the details of a heroic super-hero is portrayed. The Danish people suffered for twelve years but soon it was over. After many years of suffering Beowulf came to save the people. Beowulf came and faced many battles to prove he was the one that would help the people of Denmark. Beowulf went through three special battles, the battle with Grendel, Grendel’s Mother and the Dragon. All which were very important but the most important battle was the battle with the Dragon. The battle with set the stage for Beowulf’s strength.…

    • 790 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: A True Example Of An Epic Hero
    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf: A True Example Of An Epic Hero

    An epic hero is somebody who has superhuman qualities, who shows the values of his society, and who is bigger and larger in life. Beowulf is a true example of an epic hero; his whole journey is about him crossing a large body of water and comes across many challenges along his way. During his journey, he shows off so many of his superhuman qualities that he had. There are also a lot of examples of how Beowulf embodies the value of his society, he is larger than life and shows his superhuman strength by battling Grendel. Beowulf paints a picture of the three important morals of its time: being a leader, bravery, and honor.…

    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: A True Hero In Literature
    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf: A True Hero In Literature

    Beowulf by Gareth Hinds is graphic novel based on the Anglo-Saxon epic from 1000 A.D. This work tells the story of a warrior-prince named Beowulf, who completes various heroic tasks throughout the epic story. How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster teaches the reader the real qualities and characteristics it takes to be a true hero in literature. In his quests Beowulf proves that he is a true hero in literature.…

    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: The Epitome Of An Epic Hero
    • 791 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf: The Epitome Of An Epic Hero

    It is said that Zeus, the Lord of the Sky, once stated that a true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength but by the strength of his heart. A person who claims to be a hero can boast about his strength and how many monsters he’s defeated, but he can’t be a true hero if in the end he’s defeating all these monsters to show off. A true and epic hero is the man or woman who has the intent on helping people in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Beowulf, because of his selflessness, valor, and honor, is the epitome of an epic hero.…

    • 791 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: A Hero
    • 188 Words
    • 1 Page

    Beowulf: A Hero

    According to Emerson's essay he considers Beowulf a hero because he fits all the qualities of the heroes. A hero has to be respected by others Beowulf was respected, when he was fighting Grendel, the Danes wanted to help him; "Many a noble of Beowulf brandished his battle sword old would guard the live of his lord and protector." They are applying that he is very high and mighty. Emerson also says a hero has to have a war-like attitude. Beowulf portrays this when it describes him. “The stout-hearted warrior snatched as he slumbered, seizing hand with-grip”. Emerson also said that a hero has to have fortitude. One sees that he has fortitude when it says; “The foe i must grapple, fight for my life then foeman with foeman.” Emerson said a hero…

    • 188 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf As A Hero
    • 167 Words
    • 1 Page

    Beowulf As A Hero

    Beowulf has many of the characteristics to classify him as a hero. For example he’s brave, sacrificial, strong, caring and patient. Evidence from the text where Beowulf shows/develops these characteristics are:…

    • 167 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Hero and Beowulf
    • 373 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Hero and Beowulf

    Superman, Spiderman, and Batman are heroes. They possess the traits that are needed in to be considered a hero. Beowulf shows he is a hero through both his wisdom and fortitude throughout his adventures. Wisdom is one of the traits of hero. Wisdom is the ability to make the right judgment, the right decision, because the situation is fully understood. A wise person has a complete understanding of the situation and makes the soundest decision for the best result. The connotation for a wise person is a person that is powerful and always makes the correct choice. When reading Beowulf the word wise is always use to describe heros. Beowulf was wise and very smart.Beowulf is a hero because he is also fortitude. Fortitude means the courage, strength to deal with misfortune. A person that has the trait of fortitude can endure any circumstances and face what is coming next with bravery. Beowulf shows amazing fortitude throughout all of his adventures. Beowulf is brave enough to go cross the sea to go fight this hideous monster that had been killing people in Hrothgar’s kingdom for years (Beowulf 44). Loyalty, perseverance, bravery, and guts are all words that could be used to describe a hero. Beowulf shows amazing heroism throughout all of his adventures. Beowulf is willing to go away from his peaceful land to go fight a monster just because he is strong enough to fight a monster. Beowulf forget about celebrating and goes and dives into the deep, dark pool that many men say there is no bottom to (Beowulf 52). Many men would have run away from the monster but Beowulf ran to the monster. Beowulf clearly showed that he was truly a hero because he had wisdom and fortitude. There are many types of heroes and Beowulf may not be a hero like Superman or Spiderman, but there is no doubt that Beowulf was a hero beyond compare. Many of the above examples of heroism were closely related, this is…

    • 373 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: A True Hero
    • 383 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf: A True Hero

    “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others” - Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela is a famous leader, who was also the first black president of South Africa. He fought to make a change for a whole country by overthrowing the pro-apartheid government and spent almost 30 years in jail for the his beliefs. Similarly to Mandela, Beowulf fought for the safety of people and their right to live peacefully. It is evident that Beowulf is a true hero that carries the characteristics of which are comparable to Nelson Mandela’s legacy and leadership qualities. While today’s ideal hero may be different from Beowulf in Anglo-Saxon times, many heroes in modern history, like Nelson…

    • 383 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: An Epic Hero
    • 600 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf: An Epic Hero

    In conclusion, Beowulf is an epic hero because he adhered to the core values of Anglo-Saxon society that are presented throughout the epic. Beowulf was able to overcome extreme obstacles and rule fairly because of his ethical nature, bravery, and significance in the Anglo-Saxon world. These important characteristics are still valued by modern society, and define an epic hero, enabling the story of Beowulf to remain relevant to readers…

    • 600 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Epic Hero
    • 893 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf Epic Hero

    Grendel’s mother gets angry when she knows about Grendel’s death. She wants to kill Beowulf. Beowulf has difficulties killing the most powerful monster grendel’s Mother. “Then she carried him, armor and sword and all, to her home; he struggled to free his weapons, and faild” (582-584). This quote shows Beowulf has difficult to killing Grendel’s Mother. Grendel’s mother caught Beowulf very tight and brings him to the battle hall. He is tried to free from her weapons, but he can’t free from her weapon. After so many problems finally he was able to kill Grendel’s Mother. “Caught her neck and cut it through, Broke bones and all. Her body fell to the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet with her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight” (642-645). Beowulf fights with Grendel’s mother for long time. Finally he able to kill Grendel’s Mother. He use magic sword to kill Grendel’s Mother.Her body fell down the floor. Her blood is all over the floor. Finally Beowulf won the battle. This is the high point of the story. Beowulf fights and defeats the most powerful…

    • 893 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf As An Epic Hero
    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf As An Epic Hero

    He went and threw himself toward Grendel! He fought Grendel with his bare hands! “Prince of the Geats had killed Grendel, ended the grief, the sorrow, the suffering” (lines 404-405). This passage shows bravery let off by Beowulf. Even as Beowulf is nearing death, he fights off a dragon to show his bravery and protect his people.…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Is A Hero
    • 67 Words
    • 1 Page

    Beowulf Is A Hero

    Throughout history, humans have always looked for a courageous and strong person that they can call on and label him or her as their hero. In the Epic poem Beowulf, origin unknown, the titular character Beowulf was a warrior who preformed epic feats against the terrors of Geatland. Beowulf, the main character allows his physical strength, noble qualities, and his victories to characterize him as a hero.…

    • 67 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf As A Hero
    • 365 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf As A Hero

    Upon you are items of great value to thy self. Thou shall treasure these items as they have helped thy create a legacy. These are items that helped me become known as a hero by all. Upon you is both Grendel's arm and head whom I defeated bare-handed. My fellow Hrothgar was in need as this monster destroyed the great hall of Herot. I lay awake, waiting for this gruesome monster to enter the hall. Grendel could not stand a chance as I had ripped his arm out of his socket. To show proof of my victory, Grendel's arm hung above on the wall of Herot. In honor of the great Beowulf, thy name was recognized as a hero by all in a song, shared by other ancient heroes. I hope thou keep it in a safe place, as it is indeed a treasure to me. Alone, I fought…

    • 365 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: A True Epic Hero
    • 539 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf: A True Epic Hero

    The idea of an epic hero has been around for several centuries. Spectators can see them today in literature, movies, and television shows. Beowulf represents a true epic hero because he embodies highly-valued traits of his time and he possesses supernatural…

    • 539 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Epic Hero
    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Epic Hero

    An epic hero is a man of extraordinary strength, distinguished courage, and talent admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. I believe heroes should hold many qualities upon themselves such as sacrifice, focus, bravery, courage, determination, and loyalty. A hero, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act, and is regarded as a model or ideal. Beowulf is a character of a legendary epic hero. He becomes a leader of his people, which is destined to face the source of danger.he is willing to risk his life for the greater good, his people. He is also willing to face his fears, and meet them head on. Beowulf makes difficult/ hard decisions, even when the outcome is bad. And Beowulf demonstrates in many ways all the characteristics and qualities of being a true hero.…

    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics