Beowulf : The Epic Hero

These accomplishments were just the tip of ice berg of the many great things Beowulf had done. After he slayed those two demons in Herot he was named the king of the Geats. Beowulf was a now a king who was thrown into the chaotic mess of Geatland. Through many years of sovereignty and selflessness he saved Geatland from utter destruction and invasion. The king before him had sent the economy into a swirling pit of corruption, brought war to the country, and oppressed his people. Soon after Beowulf had become king the Gothic wars in southern Europe began and Beowulf bravely lead his army of Geats to the front battle lines. Although a large number of Geats had passed Beowulf led his army to victory through blood and sweat. From winning these wars Geatland had gained a lump sum of Roman gold. With this gold Beowulf worked diligently to improve the economy and bring more jobs and fortune upon his people. Ten years after winning the wars Geatland was now a thriving and prosperous economy with all the thanks to the mighty king

Beowulf accomplished what may be the most difficult of all challenges in today’s times, he was able to aid other countries in times of need and respectfully communicate with them as well. After hearing word of Grendel’s attack, Beowulf decided to sail to Denmark and help defend Hrothgar’s people. In doing so, Hrothgar praised Beowulf and vowed to him that there was to always be an alliance between the Geats and the Danes from that day, forward. Beowulf was also idolized for the great amount of riches he brought to his people. After defeating Grendel, Hrothgar indulged Beowulf in a tremendous amount of riches. Instead of keeping the generous reward for himself, he took the riches home and gave them over to his king, Higlac, in hopes that the gifts would benefit his people. Beowulf was designated the king of the Geats for 50 winters, and always went to great lengths to protect his people. When dangerous situations arose, he stepped up to the plate and defended his people, no matter what the cost. In his old age, Beowulf made the ultimate sacrifice. He battled the dragon, and eventually met face-to-face with death. As a leader, Beowulf sacrificed his life in protection of his people; his heroic sacrifice is the ultimate demonstration of how an epic hero defends their people and serves as a positive influence in their culture.

Throughout all the battles he is fighting, and the outcomes of them. Beowulf shows he is courageous, has strength, and is honorable. Beowulf demonstrates these characteristics of an archetypal epic hero, In the epic poem “Beowulf”.

The hero is an age-old concept that describes someone that will defend their honor to the end. In Beowulf, the author portrays the warrior Beowulf and his three battles in such a way as to clearly define what it means to be a hero. Fred Robinson and J. R. R. Tolkien addressed heroism in Beowulf regarding the warrior’s traits, as well as his battles and burial. The author of Beowulf defines the hero through Beowulf’s three battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. In this poem, each monster possesses a specific quality undesired by heroes. Beowulf battles anger/jealousy, vengeance, and greed/selfishness for the good of his Geat nation. As Beowulf fends off these anti-hero traits, he becomes capable of being a great leader of

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 is the hero of all. He has courage, strength, and is considered the prince of the Geats. He always stand by his word no matter what happened, no matter if he must risk his physical integrity for it. He likes to be there for the people that need his help to be saved from the evil. He is willing to risk his own life in order to save the life of his ideals, and that selfless help identifies his heroic identity and character. He defeats three monsters, two of them were the descendants of Cain, demonstrating his capabilities of performing great feats of strength and courage. This heroic icon demonstrates how brave he is, not only with himself but with other people that need his useful help and he is always there to help others, using his ability of strength and courage.

The story of Beowulf is one of a great hero. Beowulf is a very generous person who is always willing to help out when people are in need. Over the course of the story, Beowulf ends up in three major battles: the battle with Grendel, with Grendel’s mother, and with the dragon. All of these battles were different in their style and the way Beowulf approached them was different. Beowulf also had different reasons to participate in each of the battles.

“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

When someone mentions the name Beowulf, one might think of the strong, brave, and can conquer anything Beowulf, or one might think “Oh that one selfish guy?” Beowulf is willing to sacrifice his life to battle a monster, so why would anyone think he is selfish? Maybe because Beowulf was too worried about being known as a hero, but even despite that Beowulf is a magical hero, who ended up saving not only his men but multiple others. After many battles, Beowulf proved himself and others that he was truly a hero and maybe even a god. First with the battle of Grendel and then Grendel's mother, but when Beowulf showed his courageousness to fight the battle of the dragon things got a little rocky for Beowulf.

Beowulf is a courageous, honorable, humble, heroic man. The reason why beowulf is a hero is simply because he had a very gruesome battle with a monster named Grendel and he won the battle between him and Grendel and as a trophy he took Grendel’s arm (lines 318-329), and Grendel’s mother went after beowulf to get revenge for her child, at first she went and attacked some of the men, she went back home with an arm as a trophy, but as soon as she did that beowulf wanted to have a battle with her, and they had a battle, he won, and took grendel’s head home as a trophy as a reward for his people (lines 474,494,504-509,510-540) however he did attempt to defeat the dragon but was not able to do so, he was laid to rest. (656-706) So these vicious fights made beowulf a heroic person because he simply defeated the

Beowulf can be considered an epic hero, because he has did so many different things. For instance, Beowulf killed Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon, all of which are heroic deeds that no one else was able or willing to take on. Some of Beowulf’s most important traits as a hero include bravery,

After returning home and being King for 50 years a dragon has been threatening the lives of his people. Older, weaker, frailer, yet still full of courage, Beowulf chooses to fight the dragon himself. After slaying the dragon with the help of a younger warrior, Beowulf says in lines 820-823, “ I sold my life for this treasure, and I sold it well. Take what I leave, Wiglaf, lead my people, help them; my time is gone,”. After many years and many battles the closing thing Beowulf wants to do is benefit his people. He is dying and his final two requests are for the riches from the dragon’s lair to be split up amongst his people, and to have a lighthouse built in his honor to help escort sailors. Which demonstrates that his life is a guide for young Anglo-Saxon soldiers. The reason he fights the dragon even though he knows he will depart this life, is he knows that the dragons treasure will help his people and that’s what’s

Beowulf’s bravery is strongly supported by his actions. The great warrior goes into every battle with the knowledge that death could be a possible outcome, but rather than seeing it as an obstacle, he is always accepting of his wyrd. His motivation is the well-being of his people, as well as a sense of achievement. Beowulf is truly a hero because of his admirable courage and selflessness. Beowulf’s bravery allowed him to face the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.

“But it comes to pass in the day appointed his feeble body withers and fails; death descends.” His goal was to set an example. If Beowulf was what people achieved for, then the people would receive leaders who were looking for more than personal gain. Friedrich Klaeber wrote a book about Anglo-Saxons and the idea that the people didn’t want to go back to the world they had before. “Beowulf, who gives promise of a continuation of dynastic splendor.

At the time, Beowulf is considered to be one of the greatest heroes in the world. Beowulf hears about the destruction and terrors of Grendel and decides to go to help Hrothgar, in the land of the Danes. He does this with the intention of gaining treasures for his king and to enhance his own reputation. Beowulf was incredibly strong and he displays his strength when he battles Grendel and defeats him by ripping off his claw with his bare hands. After defeating Grendel, Grendel’s mother seeks revenge and Beowulf is forced to battle her as well. Beowulf follows her back to her swamp and kills her with a magical sword that he finds. After overcoming his enemies, he returns to his home land, Geatland, and reigns as king for 50 years. Towards the end, he is faced with another battle with a dragon that had been disturbed by a slave who had stolen a golden chalice. Beowulf and some of his men set out to defeat the dragon. When things aren’t going well, his men flea, leaving only Beowulf and his companion Wiglaf. Beowulf displays great bravery