Beowulf: The Key Characteristics Of An Epic Hero

Beowulf Have you ever wanted to be a super-hero? Do you even know what it takes to become a great hero? Webster's dictionary defines an epic hero as a larger-than-life figure from a legend or history, that participates in a cynical journey or quest, faces adversaries and tries to defeat them. In Beowulf we find that a hero must possess some key characteristics. Two characteristics need to be an epic hero are pure strength with will power and bravery. Beowulf's actions prove he possesses the pure strength, will-power, and bravery of a hero. Throughout the entire story, Beowulf faces many trials and tribulations. In each battle he faces, Beowulf uses one key characteristic that an epic hero needs to conquer his defeater: pure
Beowulf exemplifies this trait in multiple ways throughout the text. He shows his bravery in his first battle against the Danes' greatest enemy, Grendel. Beowulf "a prince of the geats, had killed Grendel" using his bravery (ll. 120-121). Another way Beowulf showed his bravery in this story is when he went to fight Grendel's evil mother. Although he had no followers this time, Beowulf "leaped in the lake" in search or her evilness (ll. 179-181). As he swam in the lake, it seemed that " for hours he sank through the waves; /At last he saw the mud of the bottom"(ll. 181-182). His swimming alone in a dark lake full of the unknown exemplifies bravery. In Beowulf's final battle, he sets off to kill the fierce dragon alone, claiming "so I go forth/ in mail-shirt and shield. I won't shift a foot/ when I meet the cave-guard" (ll. 283-284). Beowulf then again proves his bravery in front of many when he tells his men that, "this fight is not yours,/nor is it up to any mane except me/ to measure his strength against the monster/ or to prove his worth. I shall win the gold/ by my courage"(ll. 291-295). Bravery is not a characteristic that is taught in a class room, it is something that is developed and required by and