Beowulf's Heroic Code

Acclaimed with extraordinary strength, skill, and bravery, Beowulf proves himself during the course of the epic poem to be powerful, virtuous, and courageous; an exemplary epic hero. The poem analyzes his heroism from the time when he is a warrior and as he develops into a king. Beowulf encounters three separate and extremely difficult battles: the battle with Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. In these battles, we can see the expression of the heroic code; and furthermore, a division between Beowulf's youthful heroism as a gallant warrior and his mature heroism as a reliable king.
As the story begins, Beowulf is a great warrior, personified by his conquests of strength and courage, including his swimming match against Brecca. He also possesses the traits dictated by the heroic code: loyalty, courtesy, and pride. However, he is not yet regarded as a hero. Then, he engages in three heroic
However, the celebration is cut short by the wrath of the slain demon's mother. Beowulf is once again asked to slay a menacing demon, beginning the second of three battles. Beowulf arms himself and ventures to the lake where Grendel's mother dwells. Beowulf swims to the bottom of the murky lake in search of the monster. Grendel's mother senses the hero's approach. She grabs him and attempts to crush him but his armor prevents this. Grendel's mother drags Beowulf along the lake bottom. Beowulf makes an attempt on the monster with his sword but his sword breaks. When he notices a massive sword, forged for giants, hanging on the wall, he seizes it and swings it powerfully. The powerful blade slices through the monster's neck and she falls, dead. Beowulf looks around the lair and spies Grendel's corpse. He decapitates the corpse with the massive sword then returns to the Danes with Grendel's severed head. Once again, the Danes celebrate the hero's