Beowulf's Strength

Beowulf In Anglo-Saxon literature and culture, to be hero was to be a warrior. A hero had to be strong, courageous, brave, and loyal. Warriors had to be willing to face the odds of life or death. Beowulf is a great example of an Anglo-Saxon hero. The epic poem tells the story of Beowulf, a Geatish Warrior, and his battles with monsters. Beowulf had great inhuman strength. Beowulf is described as, “the strongest of the Geats—greater/And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world (lines 110-111).” When Beowulf arrives to see Hrogathr, he tells him of his many battles and successes. In his battle with Grendel, Beowulf demonstrates his strength as he rips Grendel’s arm off. “Higlac’s brave follower tearing at /His hands. The monster’s hatred
To defeat Grendel, he was willing to give up his weapons and only use his two bear hands. Beowulf says, “Behind some broad linden shield: my hands/Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life /Against the monster” (lines 172-174). After Beowulf defeated Grendel and Grendel’s mother, Beowulf returned home and was crowned king for the next 50 years. Unfortunately, a fire-breathing dragon begins to terrorize the town of Geats. At such an old age, Beowulf was willing to battle the fire-breathing dragon. In the poem, he says, “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought / In endless battles. I am old, now,
When Beowulf hears the news about Grendel, he and his men arrive to Herot to help King Hrogathr. After Beowulf’s presence, Hrogathr says, “you’ve come to us in friendship, and because / Of the reception your father found at our court” (lines 191-192). This shows why Beowulf came to help Hrogathr and his loyalty to him. This was a way for Beowulf to repay the debt from his father, Edgetho. Beowulf shows his loyalty as he comes back to defeat Grendel’s mother and the fire-breathing dragon. Near his dying days, Beowulf demonstrates loyalty when he “gave the golden/Necklace from around his throat to Wiglaf, /Gave him his gold-covered helmet, and his rings, /And his mail shirt, and ordered him to use them well” (lines 820-823). Being loyal was one of the characteristics that Anglo-Saxon warriors