Bewulf the hero

Yadian Rodriguez
Professor Matthew Brooks
English Literature ENL2012
6 September 2014
Beowulf the Hero
Beowulf is the oldest English epic poem known, which was written in Old English (Anglo-Saxon). The epic and long narrative poem is based on a great and serious subject, related and centered on a heroic figure on whose actions depends the fate of a city. This traditional epic poem was shaped by a literary artist from historical and legendary material, which had developed a poem with the traditions of his nation during a period of expansion, religion, and warfare.
Since the beginning of time, society has been relaying on heroes, because a hero can be thought of as a person distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility, and fortitude. Heroes inspire the citizens of a society and give them hope. Someone exceeding those values is what makes a person a hero. Heroes inspires hope in the dark times and humbleness in the good, because a hero could be anybody. People like to believe that help is just around the corner. Heroes are good for the morale of a society and give society a role model. No matter the time we are living in, we are always going to find a hero who we can believe in, no matter if it is in a book, a movie, or a poem. The character, Beowulf, sets the standard for heroes of all ages. His bravery among trials and his exuberant strength makes him the model for the modern superhero.
The story is based on two main battles that Beowulf finds during his life. The demon named Grendel who attacks King Hrothgar and the city of Denmark. Every night, Grendel attacks wealthy mead-hall killing Danish warriors and sometimes even eating them. Hrothgar was a great warrior in his time, but now he is an old king and cannot seem to protect his people. Fortunately, a young Geat warrior named Beowulf travels to Heorot Hall from his own lands overseas to show his heroism and help him because his father owes a favor to Hrothgar, so Beowulf offers to fight Grendel himself. The next time Grendel attacks Heorot Hall, Beowulf is waiting for him. Choosing to fight Grendel in hand-to-hand combat, Beowulf wrestles the demon into submission and eventually tears off his arm at the shoulder. Mortally wounded, Grendel flees into the wilderness and dies. Unfortunately, Grendel has an overprotective mother who attacks the village after her son die. Beowulf goes after her, and takes her down in another one on one battle.
Beowulf says goodbye to King Hrothgar and sails back to Geatland, after he defeat both monsters. Beowulf becomes the King of the Geats, after the actual king and all his relatives died. Beowulf reigns as king for fifty years, but one day Beowulf finally meets his match: a dragon, woken by a thief stealing a goblet, begins attacking the Geats. Beowulf along with another warrior Wiglaf go after the dragon. Beowulf and Wiglaf defeat the dragon, but Beowulf is mortally wounded in the process.
The Anglo-Saxon poem has enlightened readers to a society that was once shrouded in total obscurity, while the heroism of Beowulf will never cease to attack the evil. In the poem “Beowulf” the author says, “So times were pleasant for the people there until finally one, a fiend out of hell, began to work his evil in the world.” (99-101). The author is trying to state that Grendel is not just the enemy; he is a personification of evil. Even when humans encounter evil situation, there is always going to be a hero willing to help in those difficult moments, which give them hope.