Is Beowulf A Hero Or A Villain?

Beowulf and Grendel define each other as we know a hero is incomplete without a villain and in order for a hero to be famous the need of a villain in his story is necessary. Grendel is a necessary evil in the story and is needed to depict Beowulf, as would not be what he is if Grendel wasn’t there. A hero cannot live in a fantasy tale without a villain furthermore a person cannot live without having a nemesis, this gives their lives a purpose. A purpose to live, fight, and be famous. Grendel is described as a monster based on what he does and Beowulf is deemed a hero because he kills Grendel. A man is said to be incomplete without his friends, moreover a person is said to be incomplete without their nemesis. Hence, here we have Beowulf who
“People from Geatland have put ashore. They have sailed far over wide sea. They call the chief in charge of their band by the name of Beowulf.” (Heaney 27; 361-364) to help and him and his kingdom be saved form the fearsome beast Grendel and he encourages the King to let him fight Grendel in a single hand to hand combat. Beowulf had a habit of boasting his accomplishments in battle, he said things which seemed impossible. “King Hrothgar, because all knew of my awesome strength. They had seen me bolstered in the blood of enemies when I battled and bound five beasts, raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea slaughtered sea-brutes. I have suffered extremes and avenged the Geats. Now I mean to be a match for Grendel, settle this outcome in single combat.” (Heaney 29; 417-426) Everyone knew about the previous battles Beowulf had won, but this was the battle of life, this was the battle that made him succeed, this was the battle that if he would have lost he would be deemed as a failure and all his boasts about his previous battles would be considered false. Because of that reason he had to prove himself to the King that he was a worthy person capable of killing a man eating