Who Is Beowulf A Hero

A major focus of medieval literature was heroism. Often heroes were hedonistic characters who performed larger than life acts and then boasted about them. Beowulf was a son, a king, and a hero. He would protect and battle all kinds of monsters and dragons just to make sure he kept his people safe and happy. Beowulf, was a man with many different characteristic traits. He demonstrates certain characteristics of a hero because he had responsibility, respect, trustworthiness, generosity, strength, power, and courage. A hero is one who places himself or herself at great risk while performing acts of courage. He is recognized for his strengths and power of protecting his people. Beowulf is faced with three forces to fight, Grendel (a monster),
It is not enough for a hero to save people but the hero must also have perseverance. Beowulf took the responsibility to protect the people of the Danes when Grendel haunted them for twelve winters. But when Grendel's mother came back for revenge on her son’s life, he had the perseverance to stay and to fight her off too. After he killed both monsters he was crowned king of the Danes. Beowulf knows his responsibility to the people because he said this, "I had a fixed purpose when I put to sea. As I sat in the boat with my band of men, I meant to perform to the uttermost what your people wanted or perish in the attempt, in the fiend's clutches. And I shall fulfil that purpose, prove myself with a proud deed or meet my death here in the mead-hall." ( Lines 632-638) I believe that Beowulf is a responsible hero because he knows that his people are depending on him, so he knows he has a duty to fulfill. Beowulf stayed and finished what he had started when he also had to kill Grendel’s mother when she came seeking vengeance. Not only is Beowulf responsible he also has many other heroic characteristic
Everyone in the world knew of Beowulf and respected him. He was the brave hero who wouldn’t let anything stand in his way. King Hrothgar respects Beowulf because he came from Sweden to fight off the monster that was haunting them. Not only did he kill Grendel but he also killed his mother. After that all the Danes respected him. He was even crowned king and ruled for 50 years. Wiglaf also respects Beowulf, he spoke to him before joining him to fight the dragon, “Your deeds are famous, so stay resolute, my lord, defend your life now with the whole of your strength. I shall stand by you.” (Lines 2666-68) By the time Wiglaf joined Beowulf in the fight against the dragon Beowulf was already weak. Wiglaf respects Beowulf because he joined him knowing the dangers he was going to face fighting the terrifying dragon. Respect is not the only heroic characteristic Beowulf