Beowulf could, more than easily, be described as a typical Anglo-Saxon hero. More likely he would be the model of one. The story of his life was a staple in the Anglo-Saxon society. There are three distinct traits that make up the Anglo-Saxon hero. Those three traits would be Larger Than Life Strength, Loyalty to lord/Lord and Bravery. There has only been one hero in Anglo-Saxon history, only one man can meet every requirement one needs to be classified as a hero. Only one man’s strength, selflessness and bravery, fits the true definition of a hero. That man is Beowulf. With these leading traits, Beowulf's rise to heroism was not just by chance. He filled each of the three characteristics I’ve given perfectly as if it was his destiny to be …show more content…
He has to emphasize that, in doing so, he really is meeting the creature on a level playing field, demonstrating his own strength and prowess, not just using better weapons.
The word loyalty has many definitions however; my definition of loyalty is to be faithful, reliable, and being there for someone when they need you. Loyalty can be found and described in many ways other ways in each person. For example there’s loyalty between mother and her child, loyalty in friendships and relationships, and then there is Beowulf and his loyalty to the lord/Lord. “Won’t go to fight Grendel without Lord’s consent…” (116-119) Beowulf will not go ahead and fight Grendel without Lord’s consent because he feels as if he should obey his “leader” and do what he thinks he should do. “Won’t fight with weapons My lord Higlac would not be proud…” (264-266) Beowulf will not fight with weapons because he is so strong enough that he doesn’t need them, and he is able to use his bare hands to hurt someone and weapons cannot hurt him.
As the story develops. Beowulf’s attitude towards these battles changes. His first battle, with the fiend Grendel, was done entirely unarmed. Beowulf believed using a weapon would be unfair of him. He used his strength alone able to overwhelm and defeat the creature. Many years later, when he is fighting the dragon, he has come to grips with the fact that he is older and far less strong but still fights, even when others cower away. The fight leads to his
To begin with, One of Beowulf’s characteristics for being an epic hero would be his strength. Beowulf first killed Grendel, which no one else could defeat because Grendel was too powerful. Then, Beowulf killed Grendel’s Mother who was defeated by Beowulf’s bare hands because his sword wasn’t powerful enough to kill her. Last, Beowulf defeated the Dragon by taking his heart from his body which is something no one else could have done. Beowulf’s dedication and strength set forth to him being able to defeat the dragon. "I’d use no sword, no weapon, if this beast could be killed without it, crushed to death, like Grendel, Gripped in my hands and torn limb from limb." (42). This quote means that when Grendel couldn’t be defeated by any weapons, Beowulf made it simple and said that he was going
Beowulf is an epic hero from the Anglo-Saxon period, who takes on a great deal of challenges and adventures. The character Beowulf embodies the virtues of the Anglo-Saxon culture and beliefs. He incorporate the traits of Anglo-Saxon society with strength, bravery, honor, and the desire to help the helpless.
An epic hero, an Anglo-Saxon hero, a modern-day hero; A hero is is often defined by certain qualities, looked upon traits. We have heroes amongst our lives everyday, from saving a life to simply helping someone out. In the epic poem, “Beowulf”, Beowulf was the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The Anglo-Saxon code reflects much of the code of Chivalry, the code of the Samurai, to the modern-day code of just doing good. He embodied courage, honesty, loyalty, and much more, attributes that were all valued by the Anglo-Saxon code. Beowulf was truly an Anglo-Saxon hero of his time as he possessed all the traits of an Anglo-Saxon hero.
In the text Beowulf the Anglo-Saxon hero is well represented by the actions of Beowulf. His unnatural powers of help are unmatchable he is fearless
Beowulf’s loyalty is displayed in lines 281-284 when he states “if death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Higlac, return the inheritance I had from Hrethel.” By stating that he says he wants his lord to know that he died in battle and wants everything returned to the Geats. Lines 457-458 he also wishes for all the gifts he has earned to be sent back to Higlac. Beowulf is loyal to the Geats even in his older age and challenges the dragon to defend his land.
What others deem impossible, a hero makes possible. There are only a few great heroes that come about in this time and Beowulf is definitely one of them. He is a great warrior and leader, a perfect description for him. Heroes only came along once in a while in this culture but it was well known when they did.
Beowulf is from an epic story, who is a prince and leader of the Geats. What makes Beowulf a hero is that he goes and helps other people even when they do not ask him to. Beowulf does not fight evil and protect others to get riches and fame, he does it because he feels it is his responsibility to do so because no one else can. He risks his life for others no matter what dangers there are. Beowulf has super strengths such as, in one arm he can carry 30 men in each, he could hold his breath for a long time underwater, and he could swim long distances. What makes Beowulf an “epic hero” and not like any other typical hero is that he is only human too. He just stops evil with his physical strengths, not any magical powers how the modern day superheroes
In the Anglo-Saxon culture, heroes must be strong, courageous and loyal. Without these defining features there are no heroes. Beowulf is a prime example of an Anglo-Saxon hero. He possesses relentless loyalty to his king and his allies, and his courage is unyielding. Beowulf's strength is exceptional, as the is able to conquer each of his adversaries and conducts endeavors of unparalleled endurance.
According to Christopher Garcia, “in Anglo-Saxon culture and literature…a hero [had] to be a warrior. A hero had to be strong, intelligent, and courageous. Warriors had to be willing to face any odds, and fight to the death for their glory and people (1).” As the previous paragraph shows, Beowulf follows all of these set standards. He was a warrior that was crafty in his ways of attack, so strong, he could defeat the worst monsters, and courageous enough to fight without any aids or assistance.
In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist is seen as a hero among man, fighting every battle as if it could be his last. Beowulf has fought the most grueling and intimidating monsters imaginable in the story, constantly putting his life on the line for the lands of the Danes and the Geats. As an incredible hero to these people, Beowulf is characterized as a noble soldier of God. Using his traits of faith, bravery, and loyalty, to fight for the lives of the people who see him as a hero.
Beowulf is an epic from the Anglo-Saxon period about a hero who takes on great challenges and adventures. The character Beowulf embodies the virtues of the Anglo-Saxon culture and beliefs. He embodies the traits of Anglo-Saxon society: strength, bravery, honor, and the desire to help the helpless.
Beowulf had many traits of an epic hero. “This can be proven by the fact that Beowulf does anything Hrothgar asks without any hesitation, such as the battles against Grendel and his mother” ( Yee Ling Lam). this quote tells how Beowulf was loyal to the king and how Beowulf would fight for the king if asked. “ Beowulf displays his great strength time after time. Whether he is fighting sea monsters, Grendel's mother, or a horrible fire-breathing dragon” (Gracia).
Beowulf serves as the key exemplification of the definition of loyalty. First, he willingly pledges allegiance to Hrothgar following his arrival at Heorot. He does so out of his allegiance to his father who served as Hrothgar’s friend. Second, Beowulf strays away from the archetype mercenary who usually serve themselves and fight for themselves. Although young and boastful, Beowulf shows humility by obeying the king’s orders to kill Grendel and his mother. Third, he recruits an army of great fighters to journey to Heorot to battle Grendel. This shows Beowulf inspiration as a leader and shows the loyalty of his men to fight and die with him. And fourth, Beowulf obedience lies with King Hrothgar. He asks not for gold, and knowing the risk of battle still obeys the
Originating in the Anglo-Saxon period, the epic poem Beowulf portrays a legendary hero. Beowulf established the earlier form of heroism, and was then later introduced in to the English culture. Praised and admired by many people, Beowulf possesses several distinct traits that allow him to be defined perfectly as an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero; his eagerness to seek glory and fame, rather than richness and treasures, his loyalty and graceful attitude not only to his rulers but also to his followers, and his contradictory beliefs of faith and fate
Have you ever thought of being so strong that you have the ability to fight with a dragon and kill it? Beowulf, an epic written in England by an anonymous writer that tells how this powerful and fearless human being that fights monsters and dinosaurs with his bare hands and sometimes with weapons. An Epic is a long narrative poem, sometimes developed orally, that celebrates heroic deeds and legendary events (Wiggins 39). This epic generally describes about how Beowulf was a great leader, powerful man with a fearless heart killing monsters and weird creatures.