Examples Of Heroism In Beowulf

Epic Hero of the Anglo-Saxon Era: Beowulf
There have been many heroes in the past, like Superman, Batman, even Spiderman; they all exemplify heroic qualities, all different but all powerful in helping out others. Heroes are seen as a respectable character that people put hope into when all might be lost, or even look up to when they need their own strength. From the Anglo-Saxon period, if a person fights for their people, even if it means death they are considered a hero. Beowulf, and Anglo-Saxon hero, comes to Hrothgar seeking to fight the ferocious demons with his mighty strength and courageous soul; through his honorable acts he’s gifted with fame and glory throughout his life, presenting his as an epic hero. Through Beowulf’s epic he
Beowulf displays a high amount of courage in the epic when, “He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s/ Answer; the heaving water covered him/ Over” (60). This quote expresses how he courageously and selflessly jumps into the water, not knowing what’s in there just to defend Hrothgar’s kingdom. His bravery helps the people keep faith when the town is in fear showing a heroic persona. Beowulf, and Anglo-Saxon hero, comes to Hrothgar seeking to fight the ferocious demons with his mighty strength and courageous soul; which is proved through his heroic action of jumping into the water. This isn’t the only act of bravery he has shown. Another act of fearlessness he has exhibited is stated, “Beowulf as he’d planned; then it began to melt, / And for the first time in his life that famous prince/ Fought with fate against him, with glory/ Denied him. He knew it, but raised his sword/ And struck the dragon’s scaly hide” (69). Even though Beowulf knew his fate was against him, he still courageously fought through until the end. He for the last time raised his sword and slayed the dragon. Beowulf shows true heroism here by fighting even though everything was against him for other people. Beowulf uses his courageous soul to defend Hrothgar’s Kingdom and the people in it. Even though Beowulf is courageous he exemplifies many more different
This shows that Beowulf came to Hrothgar’s kingdom to fight his demons out of selflessness without anyone calling him. Beowulf is very honorable because he comes from far seas to fight for Hrothgar’s kingdom not for the fame or fortune but to help the people; moreover he had heard of Grendel through different stories and wanted this demon gone from that kingdom. Beowulf, and Anglo-Saxon hero, comes to Hrothgar seeking to fight the ferocious demons with his mighty strength and courageous soul. These are the only few honorable acts he shows throughout this epic. Throughout these acts, Beowulf is graced with fame and glory through the land, by killing the demons and slaying dragons and protecting the kingdom. There are many times in the epic where it shows where his fame and glory especially after his first battle explained as, “The battle was over, Beowulf/ Had been granted new glory: Grendel escaped, / But wounded as he was could flee to his den,” (58). He was even granted glory right after the monster was slain. Beowulf had come in done his job and the kingdom remembered his name and gave him the glory for ridding the village of the vicious demon. Beowulf is crowned glory by coming into Hrothgar’s kingdom to slay demons with his courageous strength and honorable morals, which was done after killing Grendel. In addition he makes fame in his last fight especially when he announcing to