Beowulf; the Epic Hero

Beowulf; The Epic Hero

In the epic poem, “Beowulf”, the fate of nations rest on the shoulders of one man and the forces opposed to all that is good are defeated. In this Old English epic, the character of Beowulf is immortalized as an iconic hero in literature. He is known for the killing of the evil monster Grendel, descendant of Cain, and his revengeful mother. Later in his life, with his age increasing and strength failing him, he manages to kill a dragon who threatens a nation, and finds an heir to his throne, the only warrior brave enough to stay and face the beast alongside his king. Beowulf demonstrates many traits of the “Epic Hero” such as boasting about heroic and brave deeds but also accomplishes such arduous feats as defeating monsters of great size and evil force from threatening kingdoms and killing the innocent public. In addition, Beowulf exercises exemplary leadership from youth to his second phase of life as King of the Geats. Thus, there are many examples of justifying characteristics and accomplishments to prove Beowulf’s character as heroic. First is the noble birth that Beowulf was fortuned with, by being the nephew of Higlac, king of the Geat’s and thus the comitatus between him and Hrothgar (king of the Danes) when he travels to Denmark in order to aid him. Beowulf displays great courage in taking on the monster, Grendel, who is terrorizing the people of Denmark, and proves his superhuman strength by defeating the evil monster with his bare hands and tearing off a limb to flaunt as a victory. A short description of the clash is expressed in lines 428-430 as “[Grendel] clutched at Beowulf with his claws. Grasped at a strong-hearted and wakeful sleeper – and was instantly seized himself…” In the latter phase of Beowulf’s life, specifically, 50 winters after severing Denmark from the clutches of evil, he becomes the king of Geatland and displays commendable, yet benevolent rule over his people. Next to happen is another force of evil working against the unprovocative nature of good as an infuriated dragon sets out to wreak havoc on Geatland, where even in old age Beowulf never loses his courage and embarks in battle with the beast to rescue his land. With his strength clearly not what it used to be, Beowulf is seized by death but dies with notoriety and is remembered with his own barrow, proving his fame as a hero. Of the feats and characteristics of Beowulf, he stands as the true hero. In literature, Beowulf is marked as an icon and sets the example for the perfect hero; loyalty to his kingdom, pride in a nation, lossless bravery, celebrated fame, and ideal leadership as a king.