In the story of Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, possesses great amounts of courage, valor, and bravery in which all of these are used to overcome great feats. Beowulf shows courage by talking on the monster Grendel with only his bare hands. “The monsters flight, fastened those claws in his fist till they cracked.” Reference to page 49, lines: 330-340, 360-380. He shows valor by putting himself forward to take on the monster and not backing down from a challenge. “Then he saw the mighty water witch and swung his sword, his ring marked blade, straight at her head.” Reference to page 52, lines: 491-500, 530-540, 555-564. Lastly, he shows bravery when he goes in after the dragon even when he knows he is too old. “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I…
Throughout the epic, Beowulf demonstrated his strength as a warrior and a leader. When Grendel arrived at Herot, the other warriors “could not scratch at his skin, for that sin-stained demon had bewitched all men's weapons, laid spells that blunted every mortal man's blade.”(92-94). Beowulf took charge and used his own hands to fight and eventually defeat Grendel since his fellow men could not do so. This conveys how Beowulf was not only physically strong in battle, but how he took charge to defeat Grendel since the others were unable to. Beowulf also took it upon himself to battle Grendel's mother, which was where he utilized “the best of all weapons / But so massive that no ordinary man could lift / Its carved and decorated length. He drew it.”(244-246). Since a normal man would have been unable to life the sword, this event in the text displays how Beowulf is an epic hero. An epic hero is often characterized by possessing an immense amount of strength, which Beowulf had from being able to utilize the sword and defeat Grendel's mother. His strength as a warrior and a leader is what classifies Beowulf as a quintessential epic…
Beowulf is a cultural hero because of his ability to fight against the odds of his opponents. He uses his strength in the battle against Grendel. Beowulf even says that when it comes to fighting him, he says is as dangerous as Grendel is. Beowulf said, "No weapons, therefore, for either this night: unarmed…
The next virtue displayed by Beowulf is courage. He was fearless of all, and displayed this courage throughout the epic tale. The first display of courage was the fact that he was willing to fight Grendel. Grendel was terrorizing a neighboring country and Beowulf elected to rid the country of the menace. Not only did he fight Grendel, but he did it with unarmed hands. Another tale of Beowulf’s courage was when he chose to fight the dragon. He was an older man, but he vowed to protect his people. It is stated that he says, “I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people. I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning…” (p. 1688). Although Beowulf seems to know what lies ahead, he fights the dragon anyway.…
Beowulf grew up a fighter and knew he was destined for greatness in battle as one of the most supreme warriors to roam the mortal world. Beowulf was not fond of recognizing personal downfalls and weakness. Instead, he carried himself with confidence, a sense of swagger, and the heart of a lion. The hero of the time, was much more interested in fighting and building his individual reputation rather than taking over King Heardred’s throne. When the time comes where Beowulf is forced to step into the spotlight and become king, he does not just accept the normal responsibilities that come with being king. Beowulf takes the task by the horns, he doesn’t let his new duties blind…
Strength is one of the most important characteristics of a hero and Beowulf definitely exhibits this characteristic. When he landed on the Dane’s land he boasted to the King about his strength. He speaks of killing huge sea serpents and even mentions wanting to kill Grendel with his bare hands, for example, “He might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster.” (265-269).…
When Grendel attacked, he patiently waited while the monster ate one of his companions, perhaps contemplating the best angle of attack . He also realized that no weapon could bring harm to Grendel, which may account for his vow to fight him unarmed. Instead of being looked at as his pride, Beowulf's decision can be seen as his intelligence, even wisdom. Wisdom, in addition to his intelligence, was another quality Beowulf possessed. In his fight with the dragon, which would be his final battle, Beowulf was wise enough to understand that he was older than in his past and this would most likely be his last fight . These examples, though not emphasized greatly in the story, show that Germanic tribes honored leaders who were capable on the battlefield both physically and mentally. They desired a leader and a warrior who could not only lead them in battle through his actions, but also through his strategies and…
Strength was one of Beowulf’s key assets. His strength made him very respectable among his people. “In his far-off-home Beowulf, Higlacs follow and the strongest of Geats-greater and stronger then anyone anywhere in this world.” (110). The quote tells how strong Beowulf is and because he is so strong, he has many followers. “May purge all evil from this hall. I have heard, too, that monsters scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none.” (261). Along with physical strength, comes mental strength. The quote explains how Beowulf’s physical and mental strength is all that is needed to overcome the monsters he faces. Beowulf’s strength was one of his key assets.…
In the epic poem Beowulf, the character Beowulf has presented two Anglo-Saxon heroic traits so far. Beowulf bravely decides to make a voyage to Denmark to spare the Danes of their misery and fight Grendel, a murderous spawn of Cain. The poem reads, “proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed (Beowulf 199-201).” This is an example of courage because “Grendel ruled” and was dangerously overpowering, but Beowulf was determined slay Grendel or die trying. This characteristic shown by Beowulf exemplifies courage. Beowulf also demonstrates extreme physical strength when he informs the reader of his encounters with the monsters of the sea. The poem reads, “ I swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing the one by on; death was errand and the fate they had earned (Beowulf 422-4225).” In these lines of the poem, Beowulf clearly exhibits physical strength. In lines 418-428 of the epic poem, Beowulf also demonstrates supreme self-confidence, for he seems proud of his accomplishments. Beowulf shows a substantial amount of pride in himself, and I predict that his pride will be the cause of his defeat.…
Made him seem more of a warrior who mind is focused on being a warrior. People looked up to the great Beowulf. He put his own body in the way to protect his men. He fought many battles alone and didn’t fear anything that stood in this way. He enjoys all of it as a hero, sailors brag on his name. He is a warrior who loves the limelight and likes the attention. As if all of these things fuel him to be a greater warrior. Beowulf who lived for fame and the glory. Also had another story for the people. “I swam in the darkness of night, Hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by on death was my errand and the fate/they had learned”(Beowulf 44). This story had people wowed at how much of a warrior he really was. He was able to swim and fight off monsters. This story proved to them that he would fight in life vs death situations. That you could count on him through any conditions. He told the king he would fight Grendel without anything. No sword, no weapons, and no clothes, he wants to show them that he can win without anything thing but raw power. He proves people wrong about his ability once he beat…
Beowulf showed his strength a lot throughout the story. He showed that he was strong by him not wearing any armor when he went to battle Grendel. He could have chosen to bring weapons and armor like the other, but he chose not to. In his village he was know as the strongest man there. Another thing encounter of his strength is when he runs into a lot of monsters and all types of beast. This shows his strength because, he fights them with no weapons just his bare hands. “Beowulf is strong, and is known to posses power greater than army normal warrior. This is evidenced by his ability to off the gigantic Grendel’s arm and by his ability to control with Grendel is equally monstrous mother.”(essays/beowulf.html) This shows Beowulf’s strength by him taking off Grendel’s arm, and Grendel is a very strong person. Then Beowulf did not use any weapons or anything he just used is bare hands. This is also the reason why Beowulf is a well known epic hero, he is a very strong person. Strong enough to fight for what he believe is right. Beowulf does not show any weakness throughout the story of Beowulf. He fights with no weapons, not saying that the other characters in the story are not strong; their strength just do not compare to Beowulf’s strength. Another thing that shows Beowulf strength is when he lifts a sword that no one could lift. Not only did he lift it, he swung and cut off Grendel’s mother head. The last thing that shows Beowulf’s superhuman strength is when he went back and chopped off Grendel’s head and it took four men to carry it. When they arrived to Herot, Beowulf took Grendel’s head himself ,and he tossed his head down the table, not needing anyone’s help. This shows that he is very strong and mighty. Beowulf did not need anyone to assist him at all, he just took Grendel’s head and threw it…
Beowulf showed bravery during each of his fights because no matter how severe the cost could come out to be he went out to slay any monster that brought horror to his citizens and to the people. The people of his kingdom were afraid of Grendel; therefore, he stayed and played loud music to bring the beast around to slay the demon that threatened the citizens.…
Epic Heroes are amazing people they are much appreciated. Two perfect examples of epic hero’s would be Beowulf and Spiderman. They both have virtues in them they both can be honest, caring, forgiving, courageous, respectful, and kind. Beowulf and Spiderman are really brave and strong. They risk their lives for others without thinking about twice.…
During the battle with Grendel, Beowulf really proves his strength by twisting the beasts arm when “the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped, muscle and bone split and broke” (34.421-423). Not only did Beowulf show physical strength he is also mentally strong when one of his men dies as “Grendel snatched at the first Geat/ he came to, ripped him apart, cut his/ body to bits with powerful jaws”(32.421-423). Watching someone close to you being brutally murdered by being tore apart and eaten must be a hard tragedy but Beowulf stayed strong and continued on with his task. Beowulf displays his generosity just by coming to Denmark and risking his own life just to save the lives of others. Not only did the courageous hero fight the monster he “had killed Grendel/ ended the grief, the sorrow, the suffering/ forced on Hrothgars helpless people/ by a blood thirsty fiend” (34.511-514). Coming to the kingdom Beowulf was not even worried with what he might get in return in the defeat of the beast he knew that all his “purpose was this: to win the good will of your people/ or die in battle”…
When Beowulf encounters Grendel he is as noble as can be and literally fights with his bare body. He wanted nothing but honor for his conquering’s. And in a way it showed what a great hero he really was because he wasn’t doing it all for the money. His defeat of Grendel validates his reputation for bravery and establishes him fully as a hero.…