Preview

Beowulf Is A Hero Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
548 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Beowulf Is A Hero Essay
Beowulf is said to be a hero because he defeated Grendel and stopped him from killing any more of Hrothgar's men. This showed his great loyalty to Hrothgar and his people. Beowulf is a hero because of his outstanding fighting skills, his great strength, and definitely his great loyalty. A hero is defined as a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Beowulf certainly fits into that category as his village looked up to him for his great skills and strength.
In order to show that Beowulf is a hero, he needed to have certain skills including outstanding fighting skills. In this quote it really shows Beowulf’s skills for the people,
“The monster's whole body was in pain, a tremendous wound appeared
…show more content…
Beowulf was a very noble and honest man, he did everything he could do to protect his people in every way possible. Loyalty was an important theme in Beowulf, maybe one of the most important themes. Beowulf shows loyalty when he helps the kingdom that his father had served.
Beowulf displays his loyalty to his people when he says, "My people have said/..that my duty was to go to the Danes'/..Great king," (149-151) while he is talking to King
Hrothgar. Beowulf's loyalty was to those who would protect his homeland once he was no longer there.
Beowulf is a hero because of his outstanding fighting skills, his great strength, and his great loyalty. Beowulf was "the strongest of the Geats" and "greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world". Beowulf was shown to be the strongest of all the strong. He was fearless and fought to defend his glory. By using the quotes above, I showed that Beowulf clearly does have the traits to be a true hero for the people he was trying to protect. Beowulf's strength is shown as basically superhuman.
It’s not just that Beowulf was a hero, it’s the fact that other people were talking about him in the epic and they looked to him as a hero for the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    One piece of evidence that shows this can be found in Source 1. According to Source 1, “He helped replenish the island of O’ahu by repairing kalo patches and planting more sweet potatoes.” This shows that heroes are unselfish and they show heroism because he is helping his island needs to take care of his people. Another piece of evidence that shows can be found in Source 1. According to Source 1, “ He unified the legal system.…

    • 692 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf has many heroic characteristics. When Beowulf went to the Land Of Danes, he went to kill Grendel. He didn't do it for the fame or the power. He wanted to kill him to help the Geats. He felt as if it was right, he says “They had in remembrance my courage and might. Many had seen me come safe from the conflict.” He never expected anything from anybody after anything he would do.…

    • 324 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf was a hero and a remarkable, successful leader because he was courageous, willing to put others first, and loyal. He was a venerable king because of his actions. If Beowulf had not experienced these things, he would not have become the leader he…

    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf also has the character trait of bravery. He goes before all others when things go bad. He would rather risk his own life, than to see someone else risk theirs. He asked a favor to the ruler…

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf vs. Grandaddy

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf was significantly glorified all through the book; even when he died his men mourned his loss, built him a tower, and buried the entirety of his treasures underneath it. The Geats and the Danes knew a hero of Beowulf’s status would never again come to pass. Beowulf had amazing leadership; he would never lead anyone where he would not go, and his men glorified him of that. He had superior strength, intelligence and courage. Beowulf’s strength could not be contested, as he was able to kill Grendel bare handed and rip a sword off a wall that only giants used. Under no conditions could an ordinary man achieve such a feat. Beowulf could swim for hours and fight monsters in the raging sea. Even at old age, Beowulf took on the battle of slaying the dragon. Beowulf was undeniably a strong and responsible leader. He prepared for the future of his warriors when he reached his eventual demise. His men, mourning his loss, wept, knowing a man of Beowulf’s strength and leadership would never come again.…

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf exemplifies the perfect hero, even from his youth he perfectly embodies the manners and values dictated by the Germanic heroic code, including pride, loyalty, and strength. Beowulf’s youthful heroism as an unfettered warrior and his mature heroism as a reliable king, help portray him as a man of great character who is fair and just. Beowulf’s actions were some of proving his power and might, his attitude was that he was the best, and he was out to show it. This doesn't mean that he was of bad character, he was proud of himself and was striving to be the best he could be.…

    • 411 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf did all these great things. Becoming a warrior, being boastful, and so much more. Beowulf defeated many monsters, Grendel and his mother, into death. He was also being a respectful person to people, he didn't just walk into places and acted like he was the king of the town. He loved to show people what he did and how proud he was. Also he loved to travel to towns to help people defeat evil. But all in all he was a wise man, knew what he was doing. That is why we think Beowulf is a great Epic Hero.…

    • 100 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Another factor that makes Beowulf and ideal hero is the fact that he fought a monster such as Grendel with nothing but his strength. Beowulf had "stripped off his mail shirt, his helmet, his sword hammered from the hardest iron, and handed all his weapons and armor to a servant" (671-673). Only a true hero like Beowulf would fight without the protection of his armor. Beowulf's will to only fight Grendel alone with his strength shows the characteristics an ideal hero. Beowulf's ideal hero…

    • 644 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hero and Beowulf

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf’s first heroic traits were his use of strtength and courage. With his courage he was able to stand up and protect his fellow people and with his strength it helped him defate his eniemies. For example, in the battle with Grendel,”And defate, the tears torn out of Grendel’s/ Taut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms/ Of him who of all then men on earth/ Was the strongest” (346-349). In this quote Beowulf showed great strength in the battle with Grendel. He made his enemy run for his life. With Beowulf’s strength he had made the people feel safe again. Everyone thought he had amzing courage for coming face to face with the evil Grendel. In addition, “But so massive that no ordinary man could lift/ From its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt” (488-490). In the quote, Beowulf showed his strength and lifted a sword that no regular man could lift. His strength allowed him to dominate in battle. If it were not for his pure strength or couage, he would not have been able to dafate Grendel or his mother.…

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Most people define a hero as a person who has superior or superhuman strength. Beowulf is “the strongest of the Geats- greater / And stronger” than anyone else in the world (lines 110-111). Saying this shows that if Beowulf cannot defeat Grendel then nobody else can. Beowulf shows how intelligent he is in lines 134-137 when “Beowulf arose with his men / Around him ordering a few to remain / With their weapons”. Beowulf is smart enough to realize that if nobody stays with the weapons somebody will steal them, and they will be left unarmed when a war breaks out. To be considered courageous, a person must face something that would frighten most. Beowulf does just that on numerous occasions in Beowulf. Beowulf faces and conquers Grendel in lines 515-517 “The victory, for the proof, hanging high / From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monsters / Arm, claw and shoulder and all”. The mighty water witch, Grendel’s mother, becomes troubled with the loss of her son and wants revenge on Herot. When she attacks Herot, Beowulf takes action and conquers her in lines 643-645 “Her body fell / To the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet / With her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight”. Some heroes use special powers, or costumes to help them win the fights against the bad guys. However, Beowulf believes in being ethical. He does not want to be…

    • 1031 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    I Commentary #2: By defeated Grendel and helped the Danes fear vanished, he has gained praise from many people including the king and it makes him proud when he done something good. He will continue doing the right things until his…

    • 1232 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf As An Epic Hero

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Through Beowulf’s whole life, he definitely showed that he was a hero. He lived up to all the expectations that were thrown out there. He showed everyone from all over, his bravery, loyalty, and his strength. The one thing that made Beowulf great is that he always had confidence. He left his thrown to Wiglaf who would carry on, just the same way as Beowulf…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    exhibits the most traits of a hero. Some of the traits that he possesses are shown in unique ways.…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Like anyone of us, he too is not perfect. He is vulnerable and emotional. He fell in love and got hurt. But unlike any other heroes the world has known for their bravery and courage, he is the gentlest and noblest. He didn’t die in the battlefield like El Cid Campeador of Spain. He didn’t win over an assault in a city like Agamemnon of Greece. He doesn’t possess invulnerability like Siegfried of Germany. He is not a mythical hero but he is not a looser. He didn’t fight his enemies by sword; he attacked them with his plume and ink.…

    • 908 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf Story Map

    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf is a hero now although he died, he managed to slain all of the villains: Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the Dragon…

    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays