Beowulf Epic Hero Essay

He can also be seen as an epic hero because he makes ethical decisions. He has a protective nature and wanted to help the Danes. He is a hero because he wants to do what is right and good. Beowulf’s strength is another thing that makes him an epic hero. His strength is shown multiple times throughout the story. One example is when he rips off Grendel arm and he also shows his strength in the battles throughout the story. Beowulf shows a lot of characteristics during the story that that show that he is an epic hero.

Another quality that an epic hero must have is superhuman strength. Beowulf is an epic hero because he uses his bare hands as his superhuman strength to fight off Grendel and the

Beowulf, like other epic heroes, possesses the following heroic qualities: epic heroes are superhuman types of beings. They show great bravery, intelligence, strength and resourcefulness. They have a strong admiration for the values of their society. They are dominant male figures and suffer severe pain, but in the end, they

Beowulf, like other epic heroes, possesses the following heroic qualities: epic heroes are superhuman types of beings. They show great bravery, intelligence, strength and resourcefulness. They have a strong admiration for the values of their society. They are dominant male figures and suffer severe pain, but in

Beowulf possesses all the characteristics of an epic hero like, courage, pride, and enormous strength. Beowulf showed enormous strength throughout the whole story. He first displayed his strength when he battled Grendel in the mead hall. Beowulf tore the mighty Grendel's arm off as stated in the story, "He twisted in pain/ and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulders snapped/ muscle and bone split and broke/ The battles was over/Beowulf had been granted new glory" (line 338-342).

In the story of Beowulf there are some distinct characteristics that shows evidence to it being a variation of a fairy tale. However, it is an early portrayment and it has more violence than a typical fairy tale. Examples of Beowulf being a fairy tale are: Good versus Evil, a lesson learned, and the hero overcoming a difficult quest. The first example of how Beowulf is a fairy tale is the portrayment of Good versus Evil. Throughout the story Beowulf is determined to defeat Grendel for the Danish people.

Epic heroes, arguably the most well-known format among different media and people, is a format that has been shaped by early tales such as Beowulf and these tales of men achieving some of the most grandiose acts possible is considered by many to be a spectacular experience. The influence that Epic heroes have had on story writing is immense, characteristics of epic heroes are still very present today in many books, movies, tv shows and various other mediums. The Author of the epic poem Beowulf due to the immense age and form of oral storytelling that was used during the time period. Beowulf, like many epic poems, has key characteristics that are present in the protagonist that make him into an epic hero, Beowulf embodies almost all of the characteristics

Every epic hero possesses certain heroic characteristics. Beowulf, like other epic heroes, possesses the following heroic qualities: epic heroes are superhuman types of beings. They have a noble birth and show great bravery. They display great intelligence and resourcefulness. They have a reverence for G-d and for the values of their society. They are dominant male figures and suffer severe pain, but in the end, they conquer evil (Vivone 9/27/99). In addition to Beowulf’s heroic qualities, he is very strong. Beowulf was said to have “the strength of thirty [men] in his mighty handgrip” (Bloom 11). Early proof of Beowulf’s extraordinary strength is evidenced by his dismemberment of Grendel’s limb, the fight in the cave under water, and the

A characteristic of Beowulf is courageous. Courage is the ability to do something that frightens you. Beowulf wasn’t necessarily frightened, but he did do something that frightened the men of Hrothgar. Beowulf does many things to show his courage to the people of Hrothgar. One way he shows his courage is when he fights Grendel, the monster who was killing and eating the men of Hrothgar, without any

Beowulf showed his honor as he traveled from his homeland to battle the vicious monster Grendel, who was terrorizing the Danes. Grendel “Raided and ravaged” the mead hall, showing no honor by killing intoxicated men in their sleep. Beowulf knows that there is a chance that he may die in his great battle against Grendel when he says, “If death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Higlac…”, yet he is still willing to attempt to defeat Grendel. A hero in the Anglo-Saxon time is always very confident, as well he should be. It would serve no purpose to face battle with doubt of ones ability to do so, and with fear of all that awaits him. Beowulf’s morality came also in the form of loyalty to people and his word. Promises by Beowulf were kept . Acceptance of death, and care for the welfare of his people were Beowulf’s greatest virtues. His

Beowulf is a true epic hero because he is fearless, very strong, and well honored. Beowulf portrays all of the traits of a hero throughout the epic. He never hesitated to kill a monster, or even to give a helping hand at any time. He could always back up his boast with perfection. Beowulf is not a god, or a supernatural man, but he was the closest man to

The main characteristics of an epic hero are strength, courage and loyalty. Beowulf demonstrates his strength in his battle with Grendel. With his extraordinary strength, Beowulf is able to bend back the claws Grendel “as Beowulf leaned up on one arm” (Beowulf line 190), and he keeps hold of Grendel’s hands long enough for Grendel to eventually fight back so hard his arm rips off. Not only is he strong enough to defeat Grendel with his bare hands, but Beowulf also lifts the sword of a giant to defeat Grendel’s mother. He courageously volunteers himself into battle with “A powerful monster, living down / In the darkness” (34-35). This monster also has a mother who is stronger than him, but Beowulf does not fear. Beowulf courageously goes down to the darkness where their den lies and comes up with Grendel’s head and the handle of the sword he uses to kill Grendel’s mother. Later in life, “Beowulf [utters] his final boast: / “ I’ve never known fear; as a youth I fought / in endless battles. I am old, now, / But I will fight again” (483-486). Beowulf utters his final boast before he courageously goes into his final battle which he loses to the dragon. In loyalty to the men that serve him, Beowulf makes sure that if he does not return from his battle with Grendel’s mother they will be able to return to their homeland. He

Not only is Beowulf honorable and well respected, he is brave as well. His courage is shown by not hesitating to risk his own life to pursue the Dane’s enemies. By being self-assured, Beowulf is able to successfully defeat the fiends, Grendel and his infamous mother. At the time Beowulf is planning to pursue the vindictive dragon, the epic poem states, “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, If the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me.”(ll. 2511-2515). He feels no fear, is confident in fighting the dragon alone, and has no qualms in risking his life to save others. He declares his bravery by saying, “When he comes to me I mean to stand, not run from his shooting flames, stand till fate decides which of us wins... No one else could do what I mean to, here, no man but me could hope to defeat this monster.”(ll. 2525-2534). In his actions, Beowulf’s bravery is clearly shown throughout the poem.

Beowulf has strength like no other. He is your typical epic hero. He Saves the day in a majestic and seeming to be an impossible epic way. Like for a couple examples of his strength is how he ripped off grendel's arm when he tried to run away. No normal person would be able to do that. Another example is when he picked up the mighty sword when he slew grendel's mother as everyone was appalled by his strength. Beowulf is a very good example of an epic hero. He Is very strong and it seems like he does a lot stuff that is not possible and is a very good leader and persuasive. People follow in his footsteps because he is a great influence on the people.

Beowulf is a hero, and we all know a hero when we see one. There are many traits and characteristics that make someone a hero. These traits and characteristics are more expressed in ancient epics and poems. Beowulf is one of the most famous ancient Anglo-Saxon poems still taught to this day in schools and colleges all over the world. The story starts off of how a man by the name of Beowulf receives news that a neighboring land is being terrorized by a monster named Grendel. Beowulf shows several characteristics of here such as, bravery, loyalty, generosity, friendship, and showing a high level of intellect. Beowulf first shows his heroic character through his bravery while journeying on his epic quest. There are several cases where he is not afraid, and instead of being frightened, he shows great bravery. An example of from the poem is, “Instead, they inspected omens and spurred his ambitions to go, whilst he moved about like the leader he was, enlisting men, the best he could find; with fourteen others the warrior boarded the boast as captain” (Beowulf 205-210). This quote gives proof of his bravery because he was the head of the group leading his men. Beowulf proves that even he himself must be brave in order to lead the bravest of men into battle.