Preview

Who Is Beowulf As An Epic Hero

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
426 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Who Is Beowulf As An Epic Hero
During the Anglo-Saxon time period, Beowulf was known as a phenomenal epic poem written by the beowulf poet. The characteristics of an epic hero are super-human-strength, devotion to duty, loyalty and bravery which are envisioned in the protagonist, Beowulf.
Beowulf proves his is an epic hero by having a supernatural ability which is extraordinary strength. To demonstrate, “the best of all weapons but so massive that no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated length,” (515-521 ln 59 p). Therefore, showing his stupendous strength to defeat Grendel’s mother with his immense quality of muscle to bring victory to Herot.
Despite Beowulf’s age and weakness he is willing to fight for his people who deeply rely on him showing his devotion to duty. For instance, “ I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless
…show more content…

No matter what he goes through he always puts his people in front of him. In other words, he makes sure his people are safe and protected before himself. For example, “Alike; the gray bearded lord of the Geats had ended those flying, burning raids forever,” (792 ln 68 p). Moreover, displaying his loyalty as an aged king and leader to his people after year of ruling and years of defeating monsters who try and destroy his kingdom.
The last but certainly not least trait that a successful epic hero should have is bravery. Beowulf definitely shows bravery in countless occasions in order to defeat the evil. To illustrate, “ Then Beowulf rose, still brave, still strong, and with his shield at his side, and a mail shirt on his breast, strode calmly, confidently, toward the tower, under the rocky cliffs; no coward could have walked there!,” (633-636 ln 63 p). This explains, Beowulf exhibits bravery and courage by defeating the dragon even after his age and years of not fighting. His courageous actions makes everyone feel safe trusting him


You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf also has the heroic characteristics of being brave. Beowulf would go and fight taking a risk of his own life on the line just to help out others. not for himself.. at all. But others around him. Beowulf went into it knowing that this nasty slaying dragon was bigger than him but he still didn't have a doubt in his mind going in to fight this dragon.…

    • 324 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf also has the character trait of bravery. He goes before all others when things go bad. He would rather risk his own life, than to see someone else risk theirs. He asked a favor to the ruler…

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Beowulf Archetypal Hero

    • 1440 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Beowulf is an epic poem whose earliest surviving copy was written in 1000 A.D. The story consists of three thousand one hundred and eighty two lines that follow the life of the title character. The original author of the epic poem is unknown mainly because it started as a verbal tale passed down orally through the ages. Finally someone wrote it down in a document now called the Nowell Codex. The epic tale is centered on Beowulf and his actions in an adventure to repay a debt owed by his father to Hrothgar, a Danish king. A gargantuan monster that is terrorizing Hrothgar’s mead hall is Beowulf’s target and Beowulf sails across the sea to aid his father’s friend. Doesn’t he already sound like a hero? Well that’s because he is. Beowulf is a hero in every sense of the word. From his moral code to his actions, and beliefs this Geatish legend fits the archetype of a hero down to the finest points.…

    • 1440 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    There was a warrior, the strongest warrior of the Dark Ages. This warrior bled glory, and always wanted a fight to gain more. His name was Beowulf, and he is a hero of legendary proportion. In the story, there is a savage beast named Grendel who feeds on the people of Denmark. Once Beowulf hears of the news that is devastating Denmark’s King Hrothgar, he and his men leave Geatland and travel east. Beowulf defeats Grendel in the king’s longhouse along with his mother at the bottom of a lake teaming with sea serpents and monsters. This quest isn’t for an ordinary man, and Beowulf fulfills this aspect of being an epic hero.…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hero and Beowulf

    • 771 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf's physical strength is revealed to the reader through his amazing feats and his unbelievable battles with mystical creatures. In lines 91 and 92 it states that Beowulf was the strongest man in the world. These words come from the Geats who are barbaric people to begin with. The fact that they speak so highly of Beowulf's strength is a testament to its truthfulness. After Beowulf arrives in Denmark he quickly travels to Herot to prepare for his battle with Grendel. In the lines following 307 it is stated that Grendel was instantly seized by Beowulf upon trying to clutch him. This is a feat that no man was able to accomplish before Beowulf's arrival. Beowulf's strength is also shown in his battle with Grendel's mother. In lines 465 and 466 it states that Beowulf was able to throw the she-witch to the ground. This only reemphasizes Beowulf's great physical strength. Finally, Beowulf's strength is shown in his battle with the dragon. Beowulf's battle with the dragon occurs when he is an old man. The fact that Beowulf is still able to defeat the dragon shows the reader the extent of his great strength. Beowulf's great physical strength is one of the characteristics that make him an epic hero.…

    • 771 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It is said that Zeus, the Lord of the Sky, once stated that a true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength but by the strength of his heart. A person who claims to be a hero can boast about his strength and how many monsters he’s defeated, but he can’t be a true hero if in the end he’s defeating all these monsters to show off. A true and epic hero is the man or woman who has the intent on helping people in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Beowulf, because of his selflessness, valor, and honor, is the epitome of an epic hero.…

    • 791 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    One of the four qualifications of an epic hero is strength. “But the truth is simple: no man swims in the sea as I can, no strength is a match for mine.” (Page: 40, line: 532- 534, Chapter 8) Beowulf, when taunted by Unferth, tells of the swimming contest against Brecca. He explains that his defeat was caused by sea monsters which he fought off and cleaned the sea. He is determined he could beat Brecca in a rematch. In addition, Beowulf becomes vain when discussing his future battle against the monster Grendel. “Grendel is no braver, no stronger than I am! I could kill him with my sword; I shall not easy as it would be…His claws and teeth scratching at my shield, his clumsy fists beating at my sword blade, would be helpless.” (Page: 44, line: 677- 687, Chapter 10). In his battle against Grendel, he defeats the monster with his powerful grip, ripping Grendel’s arm off. Beowulf proves he has the strength of any mighty hero before his time.…

    • 940 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    One heroic quality that Beowulf possesses is courage. Beowulf shows courage through the entire story. The fact he even decided to come help the danes proves this quality. There were many other ways that showed this as well: fighting grendel, taking on his mother, fighting the dragon, etc. One specific example of Beowulf displaying courage…

    • 433 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hero and Beowulf

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf’s first heroic traits were his use of strtength and courage. With his courage he was able to stand up and protect his fellow people and with his strength it helped him defate his eniemies. For example, in the battle with Grendel,”And defate, the tears torn out of Grendel’s/ Taut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms/ Of him who of all then men on earth/ Was the strongest” (346-349). In this quote Beowulf showed great strength in the battle with Grendel. He made his enemy run for his life. With Beowulf’s strength he had made the people feel safe again. Everyone thought he had amzing courage for coming face to face with the evil Grendel. In addition, “But so massive that no ordinary man could lift/ From its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt” (488-490). In the quote, Beowulf showed his strength and lifted a sword that no regular man could lift. His strength allowed him to dominate in battle. If it were not for his pure strength or couage, he would not have been able to dafate Grendel or his mother.…

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf As A Hero

    • 167 Words
    • 1 Page

    Beowulf has many of the characteristics to classify him as a hero. For example he’s brave, sacrificial, strong, caring and patient. Evidence from the text where Beowulf shows/develops these characteristics are:…

    • 167 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    For conclude, to become a greatest hero like Beowulf, he has to have these qualities: bossy, independent, and fearless. Beowulf is an awesome hero, he saves many people from the monsters. Even when he has to face the death, he still doing what he said to keep his…

    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Epic Hero

    • 893 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Everyone needs to make their life like a Beowulf. In the poem Beowulf ,the character, Beowulf, is an example of a true epic hero, who fights with a powerful monster and saves Horthgor’s people. He is the only person who can fight with monsters. He meets unnatural phenomena. He goes into the underworld on a dangerous journey. In the end he is able to kill the most powerful monster. In Beowulf, the narrator says Beowulf has all qualities of an epic hero.…

    • 893 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Epic Hero

    • 516 Words
    • 3 Pages

    First of these Characteristics is Honor. Honor is showing a sense of honesty fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions. Beowulf showed honor, when he went to the land of the Danes to kill Grendel. He did not only do it for money, but because he wanted to help out the Geats. Beowulf felt as if it was the right thing to do since he had been successful in past deeds which he proudly says in lines 321-322, where he says “They had in remembrance my courage and might. Many had seen me come safe from the conflict; Beowulf expected no reward for his action, but rather just being able to put another notch in his belt.” (Anglo- Saxon Hero) Another heroic characteristic that Beowulf possesses is bravery. Bravery is by having the courage to do something and being able to go against the odds and possibly risk your life in the process. Beowulf showed bravery when he goes to slay the dragon even though all his men abandon him. But as he goes to slay the dragon, he soon realizes that the dragon is mightier than he is, but he still has the courage to…

    • 516 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf

    • 785 Words
    • 4 Pages

    What do you think of when you see the word "hero?" A person who possesses great skill and courage, no doubt; one who uses those attributes to aid others in ways large or small, but what about Beowulf? While he may not spring to mind, Beowulf perfectly emphasizes heroic qualities-those of an epic hero. In the Anglo-Saxon folk epic Beowulf, he uses strength, skill, and a little help from the gods to defeat a series of deadly and monstrous foes. Beowulf's honor, courage, and prowess in battle mark him as one of literature's great epic heroes.…

    • 785 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Epic Hero

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The tale of an epic hero unlike any other thrives on in Beowulf, who is a powerful warrior and leader. By definition, a hero is typically a man who is greatly admired or idealized for their noble, courageous and notable qualities, exceptional achievements and brave feats. Beowulf, warrior of Geatland and King of the Swedes, battles monsters and accomplishes, no doubt, heroic deeds in this centuries-old text. In this essay, I argue the qualities of a true hero and that Beowulf possesses each of these and utilizes them in this ancient and epic tale.…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays