Beowulf: The Epic Hero

Beowulf is an ancient English poem that tells the tale of a young, brave warrior and the victories he obtains throughout his lifetime, up until his death. He is widely regarded as a hero throughout the lands and honorably puts his life on the line multiple times. Throughout the poem, Beowulf’s reasoning for being a hero changes. He begins his journey wanting to be a protector of people, a savior of humankind, but as the poem progresses, there is a distinct change in motivation for Beowulf, becoming more about craving glory and victory over his opponent as opposed to out of pure kindness. Beowulf conveys through this change that while it is worthwhile risking his life and being a hero in order to save his people and carry out his family

The storyline of Beowulf illustrates the epic battle between good and evil, and demonstrates to the readers that external war is not the only conflict hero’s face. Beowulf struggles a lot with his pride. Beowulf’s biggest internal battle was experienced when he was preparing to fight the dragon. He decided to go into battle, ignoring the fact that he had aged, but his pride, and warrior code wouldn’t let him run. What makes matters worse, he decided to go into the battle alone. His hero pride overcame the actions a normal king would’ve taken. The hero ideology at the time was strictly against a warrior running from a battle, and if Beowulf had done so, he would’ve been persecuted by society, as well as his own conscience.

Although he already become a highly regarded warrior, he does not become arrogant because of the honor and wealth he owns. Instead, he maintains his fine characteristics, remembers that he is always a servant that lives under his lord’s grace, and treats his lord with respect and gratitude. Overall, Beowulf is a the epitome of Anglo-Saxon warriors and society.

In the great epic Beowulf, the reader is able to delve into the Anglo-Saxon world and grow familiar with the heroic code. As a story passed from mouth to mouth as generations came and went, Beowulf still stands as one of the greatest heroic epics. The story teaches the reader a great deal about the time when it was written. In a world so heavily influenced by the perfect hero, the Anglo-Saxon people were able to look onto Beowulf as a source of great instruction and something that men women and children would be able to idolize. The heroic code was instilled by the Anglo-Saxon people as a code of conduct one followed to ensure one was operating as a commendable member of society. The idea of the perfect hero was the ultimate goal for any king or man of the time. The characteristics of selflessness and bravery were admired beyond anything else, and a true hero would embody them. In every sense of the word Beowulf embodied the essence of the heroic code and stood as a role model of ideal kingship for people to follow even in today’s world. This essay will outline how Beowulf exemplifies heroic code through his selfless and bravery, strength, and the unconditional love Beowulf’s men had for him through his own inspiration and dedication to his work.

He exemplifies this is various different ways. He shows his heroic character in three different instances. The three of the different conflicts are with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. When Beowulf reaches Heorot he is challenged by the guard who states that a mans measure is known by his words and actions; this is the Anglo Saxon cultural value of honor, on makes a bast or promise and then must live up to it. At the end of the poem Beowulf is a king and as a king is the protector of his people, he knows that the dragon will kill him but it is his duty and his duty alone to protect his people so he tries to kill the dragon single handedly.

Beowulf is a classic story whose author is still unknown to this day. This epic poem was written as early as the 8th century. It displays the age-old concept of “good vs. evil” through the use of two characters battling one another throughout the entire story. Beowulf’s protagonistic qualities are displayed through various ways to show just how “good” he actually is.

Beowulf is a true Anglo-Saxon hero who ruled for 50 years, and was the noblest of all warriors across the lands. Throughout this essay Beowulf illustrates three important motives that show he is an Anglo-Saxon hero. He embodies national ideas-- honor, loyalty, and a valor in battle with his bravery. Beowulf, the Anglo-saxon warrior of the poem, exhibits great honor in everything he does. Before Beowulf quarrels with Grendel, Beowulf “took off the helmet and handed his attendant/ the patterned sword” (Beowulf 10.672-673).

The exalted perfection in craftsmanship lent warriors strength in times of distress. In the end, the unknown author of Beowulf orally perpetuates a glorified version of the Anglo-Saxon heroic ideal through the lense of their masculine-dominated, violence-encrusted society; with the constant, looming threat of invasion, these hardened peoples sought refuge in the glory of depicted excellence in competition, overly-dramatized battles as well as an intense worshipping of fine craftsmanship.

During the medieval times Vikings were known as warriors or heroes. These heroes were known mostly for their superhuman strength. Most stories tell the journey of these warriors and how they are honored after defeating an evil creature. A prime example of this would be the poem of “Beowulf”. Beowulf is known for his superhuman strength as the Vikings or warriors once were. However, Vikings were not only known for their physical qualities, they were also known for their leadership in battle and their interaction with those they serve as well as the courage they displayed. In this poem, Beowulf displays many characteristics as that of a medieval warrior through his acts of bravery, loyalty, generosity, courage, and an accomplishment of a great task.

Beowulf recognized that he possessed an unusual ability, strength that would enable him to do things that ordinary men could not do. Instead of using his strength for his personal good, he uses it for the good of his country. In defeating his country’s enemies, he made it a safe place to live and helped it to prosper. When he saw another country across the sea facing the dangers of Grendel and Grendel’s mother, he volunteered his service to a king who was unable to subdue them. Knowing his strength, he fights unarmed against a terrible monster and succeeds. Even more frightening is his venture into the murky waters and the depths of hell to fight the mother of Grendel. Showing no fear or cowardice, he bravely faces dangers with no thought of himself. Beowulf is proud of his accomplishment, but he is justified, for he has done something no one else has dared to do. He saw evil and danger in Grendel and his mother, and he destroyed them. Just as soldiers of today go to faraway countries to give them peace, so Beowulf does this for Hrothgar and his country. He was given valuable gifts and that praise was heaped upon him, but he had placed his life in danger. It is uncertain whether he offered his services because he longed for more glory or whether he wanted to go to Hrothgar’s country to repay Hrothgar for the help that Hrothgar had given to Beowulf’s father in the past. Beowulf does what a true hero does when he sees someone in need; he goes to their aid. Even when he was old and ill, he still wanted to be of service to his country and once again put his life in peril. Although he died as a result of the battle, he put his country before his own well-being. Only as he lay dying, did he make a request that his life might be remembered. He asked that his remains might be buried on a cliff overlooking the sea. He asks Wiglaf to construct a barrow on the coast that would be visible to

In “Beowulf,” the hero is faced with challenges that are both physical and moral, both of which threaten his life. Beowulf could be considered the ideal hero and king. From an early age, he has proven his worth for both of these titles, and in this epic tale the reader is able to learn his history to see how he came to fame. As an epic hero, Beowulf possesses the qualities of valor, loyalty, generosity, and honor. He fights for the survival of his tribe. Even as a hero, he

Throughout Beowulf’s story he has several attributes that show a difference between him and any other hero for example would be called a warrior’s code. Now throughout the centuries it has been used between a lord and his thanes or in this case a hero and his warriors. This code explains that if a thane or warrior gives their loyalty and protects them, then the lord or the hero will take care of them and makes sure that they are know as well as they are.

Beowulf consciously chooses to act in a superhuman manner: “I shall perform the deeds of a hero or I have passed my last day in this mead hall.” Even Grendel recognizes the hero’s superior strength: “The criminal knew he had not met in this middle-earth another with such a grip.” Other warriors when thinking of Beowulf “would quickly compose a skillful tale in words.” Hrothgar refers to Beowulf as “the best of warriors.”  The Danish queen Wealhtheow compliments after Grendel’s defeat, “You have earned forever the praise of men from near and far.” Hrothgar expounds on good warriors: “This is the best-born man – my friend Beowulf … the best of warriors.” When the dragon burns the mead hall of the Geats and Beowulf prepares to retaliate, he “scorned a host, a large army … he didn’t fear the dragon’s war …” Beowulf is also superior in a moral sense: When Hygelac’s wife Hygd previously offered Beowulf the kingdom, he declined to accept because there was a legitimate heir to the throne. Beowulf’s example of extreme heroism motivates others to extraordinary deeds: Wiglaf, seeing Beowulf’s strength compromised by the dragon’s fire, risks his life to aid Beowulf in his final battle. It is obvious that the hero possesses superhuman qualities. As

Beowulf is a well-known Anglo-Saxon epic poem (Wiener 1). The author of Beowulf is unknown. The setting of Beowulf is vast and in Sweden and Denmark. The epic subsists in a sole manuscript and it is the most archaic existing epic in “Old English” (McGoodwin 1). The epic, Beowulf, contains three parts in which Beowulf fights a dragon, a monster named Grendel, and Grendel’s mother (Yang 1). The Anglo-Saxon people have many values. There are many Anglo-Saxon values throughout Beowulf such as loyalty, strength, bravery, generosity, honor, and glory.

During the period which “Beowulf” was composed, Old English society was full of warriors who fought for their lords and kings. These warriors often spoke at length about their battles and accomplishments. “Beowulf” is the ultimate battle story; Beowulf himself is too heroic to have been a real man. However, he encompasses what the ideal warrior should be, and many real men tried to mirror his personality traits and values.