Beowulf as an Epic Hero Essay Example

Revered by many, Beowulf is considered to be one the most renowned Anglo-Saxon poems of all time. In the poem, Beowulf faces death defying feats that no ordinary man would be able to complete, thus giving him the hero status. Beowulf encountered many battles, where he selflessly put his own life on the line to stop evil from tormenting the Danes. Because Beowulf travels across the sea, kills Grendel, slays Grendel’s mother and ultimately fights the last battle of his life against the dragon, he can be known as an epic hero. There was an undefeatable creature named Grendel lurking around the area of Herot, killing many. Beowulf, the strongest of the Geats, got word of what was happening across the sea. Being the strongest, and knowing he could defeat Grendel, he outfitted a boat with the bravest, best Geats he could find, and the best weapons and headed to see Hrothgar, King of the Danes. When Beowulf and his men crossed the shoreline, they were confronted by an arrogant watchman who led them ashore to see Hrothgar. Beowulf being the hero that he is decided to stay in Herot, Grendel’s favorite feeding spot and wait for him to show up. Once Grendel did show up, Beowulf fought him without much of a hassle. Because Beowulf immediately set out to see Hrothgar and stay in Herot, and defeat Grendel, he can easily be accounted as a hero. Beowulf is a hero because he killed Grendel, but they are many other reasons that can make him an epic hero. Not long after Beowulf killed Grendel, Grendel’s mother made herself known by killing Hrothgar’s closest friend. Beowulf, knowing that he could die, went into the underwater lair and swam for hours until finally reaching Grendel’s mother. They hastily start fighting, but then Beowulf realizes that his weapons are doing him no good, and he decides to kill her by relying on his bare hands. That’s when he saw, hanging on the wall, a sword, so massive, that only the strongest could use it. He