Why Is Beowulf Be Considered A Hero
A Hero Named Beowulf
By: Ashlyn Clement
In the epic poem Beowulf , translated by Seamus Heaney, the epic hero, Beowulf, slays monsters and saves the people of Geatland. “I meant to perform to the uttermost what your people wanted or to perish in the attempt.” (43, lines 634-635) Beowulf is a hero, not an idol, because he is courageous, and selfless.
Beowulf can be seen as a hero because of his courage. He shows courage in many ways. First, when Beowulf saves Heorot by defeating Grendel and then later on, Grendel’s mother. No other man or woman would’ve ever volunteered to fight such powerful monsters, but Beowulf did. He also displays courage when he kills the dragon with (not by choice) only one other man. Beowulf had the option …show more content…
One example of his selflessness is during the battle with the dragon, he ordered his men to stay back. Beowulf knew that it wasn't very likely that he would defeat the dragon by himself, but he went in alone to spare the lives of his men. Also, when Beowulf was slowly being killed by the venom of the dragon, all he wanted was to see the treasure. He wanted to see what would be given to his people once he dies. “Fate swept us away, sent my whole brave high-born clan to their final doom. Now I must follow them.” (189, lines 2814-2,816) This exemplifies the fact that he fought and died for his people.
Beowulf could be seen as an idol instead of a hero because his deeds could be interpreted as “doing it for the fame”, which is what idols do. But the poem only further proves that the things that Beowulf does are for his people. His deeds are done without being asked or told to do so, like killing Grendel. Which is also another trait of a hero.
The epic hero, Beowulf, showed courage and selflessness throughout the epic poem. From fighting and killing Grendel and various other monsters, to dying for his men and giving them the treasure he received after killing the dragon, Beowulf can strongly be considered a hero rather than an idol. Any ordinary person could be an idol, but it takes someone special to be a
By: Ashlyn Clement
In the epic poem Beowulf , translated by Seamus Heaney, the epic hero, Beowulf, slays monsters and saves the people of Geatland. “I meant to perform to the uttermost what your people wanted or to perish in the attempt.” (43, lines 634-635) Beowulf is a hero, not an idol, because he is courageous, and selfless.
Beowulf can be seen as a hero because of his courage. He shows courage in many ways. First, when Beowulf saves Heorot by defeating Grendel and then later on, Grendel’s mother. No other man or woman would’ve ever volunteered to fight such powerful monsters, but Beowulf did. He also displays courage when he kills the dragon with (not by choice) only one other man. Beowulf had the option …show more content…
One example of his selflessness is during the battle with the dragon, he ordered his men to stay back. Beowulf knew that it wasn't very likely that he would defeat the dragon by himself, but he went in alone to spare the lives of his men. Also, when Beowulf was slowly being killed by the venom of the dragon, all he wanted was to see the treasure. He wanted to see what would be given to his people once he dies. “Fate swept us away, sent my whole brave high-born clan to their final doom. Now I must follow them.” (189, lines 2814-2,816) This exemplifies the fact that he fought and died for his people.
Beowulf could be seen as an idol instead of a hero because his deeds could be interpreted as “doing it for the fame”, which is what idols do. But the poem only further proves that the things that Beowulf does are for his people. His deeds are done without being asked or told to do so, like killing Grendel. Which is also another trait of a hero.
The epic hero, Beowulf, showed courage and selflessness throughout the epic poem. From fighting and killing Grendel and various other monsters, to dying for his men and giving them the treasure he received after killing the dragon, Beowulf can strongly be considered a hero rather than an idol. Any ordinary person could be an idol, but it takes someone special to be a