Beowulf; an Epic Hero What is an epic hero? An epic hero is a warrior willing to die for the good of others. In other words, someone that performs heroic deeds such as fighting against demonic creatures and shows his bravery amd strength. Also people arre known to look up and glorify over this hero.In the epic poem, Beowulf, the main character is an epic hero because he faces many demonic creatures in his time as a hero and also goes through event that shows his strength at is highest. There are many heroic characteristics Beowulf possesses making him an epic hero. Characteristics of bravery, strength, and honor. In the beginning, the Danes were living peacefully in Herot until the evil Grendel comes out of the darkness and terrorizes the Danes. Beowulf shows an act of bravery before facing Grendel. Beowulf says to King Hrothgar, …show more content…
I have heard, Too, that the monsters scorn of men Is so great that he needs no weapon and fears none, Nor I will I.” (165-169)
Beowulf felt it would be too easy for him to win. He was also confident he was not going to need any weapon to defeat this monster. This quote is proof of Beowulf is an epic hero because the act of bravery . In explaintion even these actions are foolish in the eyes of ordinary people but not to him. Beowulf has a significant amount of courage and successfully wins the battle with Grendel. Another characteristic Beowulf demonstrates is the act of strength. During the battle with Grendel Beowulf has no weapons but only his bare hands to use. In battle, Grendel weakend, “ he twisted in pain, And the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder Snapped, muscle and bon split And broke.” (337-339) Grendel realized his evil was nothing compared to Beowulf’s all mighty power. This quote not only demonstrates his strength but what a mighty is capable of and how much power he holds as a
“Epic heroes possess qualities that mere mortals lack. Bravery beyond compare, superhuman intelligence, strength or skills and a driving desire to find success.” This is a description of what an epic hero is and it perfectly describes Beowulf and his actions throughout the story. Anglo-Saxon heroes are willing to risk their lives in order to do what’s right. Beowulf went to battle
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
This shows why Beowulf is an epic hero because of his superior strength because to pull an arm socket off it would take 7Kn(Newton) to 30Kn, indefinitely it would at least take 1543 pounds and 3.77 ounces to 6746 pounds and 2.32 ounces. This means that Beowulf is a superhuman and an epic hero almost always superhuman. For another reason why Beowulf is an epic hero is because he has courage. In this text, “Beowulf shrugged. “My sword?
Every epic hero possesses certain heroic characteristics. The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf is the hero. He shows that he is a great man by always putting other things before his own needs. He is important and needed by his people and is known by many as a strong, courageous and a helpful person. He shows all of the qualities and traits that a true hero possesses.
Beowulf as an Epic Hero An epic hero is an individual who performs heroic deeds and possesses supernatural character traits. Beowulf is considered an epic hero because he killed Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a dragon. He is a loyal, head-strong, and a brave character. At the end of the epic Beowulf also exemplifies these traits, when he rules over the Geats.
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).
Beowulf showed insurpassable strength tearing at grendel's wretched body, great fortitude keeping his hold, and the courage of a lion to battle this fiend,
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
Characteristics of Beowulf as Epic Hero Have you ever wondered who your favorite epic hero was from your childhood film or poem? What is exactly and epic hero? An Epic hero accomplishes acts requiring extraordinary strength and cunning. Also defined as a character who is noble and brave and affected by great events or admired for the characters achievements. Although in the Anglo Saxon period Beowulf is a great epic hero, he performed many brave deeds, stuff like risking his life for better things in thee society, and he is remarkable and glorified by all people in the anglo saxon time period.
There are specific characteristics of epic heroes that are common throughout many folk epics. Epic heroes are known to be larger-than-life figures, usually of noble or semi divine birth, who use their courage and skill against evil forces, go on quests, and accomplish valorous deeds. Beowulf is a character that fits the definition of an epic hero perfectly. In each part of this poem Beowulf shows himself to be the hero his people need. There are many examples of each characteristic throughout the epic.
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
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.
What makes a true Epic hero? According to “From Legend to History” the main characteristics of an Epic hero would be that they would be fearless, larger than life, willing to defeat any evil creature and so much more. In the story of Beowulf all of these characteristics come to life in an epic battle with evil creatures in order to save a city and all the citizens inside of it.
An epic hero displays bravery, courage, and strength. An epic hero also wants to achieve immortality through heroic actions. Beowulf can be categorized as a legendary epic hero. There are many things that prove Beowulf is an epic hero in the poem. He proves that he is an epic hero through his heroic actions that occur throughout the poem.
Beowulf was the ideal hero because of all the brave courageous things he did to put the safety and protection of his people first also he was a very fair fighter. Beowulf heard about the attacks Grendel has been committing so Beowulf and his 14 men suited up and traveled to Herot to go and take down the evil Grendel once and for all. When Beowulf and his men arrived at Herot they went into the mead hall and had a feast with the geats and danes. Once the feast was over Beowulf's warriors went to sleep but Beowulf didn't he stayed up waiting for Grendel to come because Beowulf knew that Grendel fights unfairly by attacking at night so Beowulf being the fair fighter he is did not bring a weapon to use because he said ”I have heard that the monster's scorn of men is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none nor will I”(. He isn't using a weapon because he doesn't want to fight unfairly and become a coward. So after waiting a little while Grendel comes up from his cave and goes into the mead hall and eats one of Beowulf's men so Beowulf took action