The Anglo-Saxon society was from 449-1066 AD. Those people had strong beliefs and admired loyalty from their people. Those people also believed in fatalism which makes sense because Beowulf went into each battle saying fate would be the one to decide who would live and who would die. The Anglo-Saxons had mead halls. In Beowulf the mead hall, Herot, is where the story starts. Beowulf could be described as an epic hero as he exhibits the epic hero characteristics of a hero traveling to supernatural places, battling superhuman enemies, and supernatural abilities.
Beowulf is a man only a few have met but many have heard about. Beowulf traveled to places a person only sees in their nightmares. Beowulf had to go to a lake “a brilliant light burned all around him, the lake itself like a fiery flame”(472-474)to fight Grendel’s mother. Beowulf lives as a king of the Geats for 50 years until his peace got disturbed once again. Beowulf must go “toward the tower, under the rocky cliffs”(30-31) that “no coward could have walked there!”(31) to fight the dragon. By going to the lake and dragons den, Beowulf proves he has one characteristic of being an epic hero.
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Beowulf must battle Grendel, “he slipped through the door and there in silence snatched up thirty men, smashed them unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies, the blood dripping behind him, back to his lair, delighted with his night’s slaughter”(37-40). Beowulf decided that since Grendel used no weapons to kill those men, he would not use weapons when he would fight Grendel. Once Beowulf battles Grendel and then faces another superhuman enemy. His next enemy was Grendel’s mother because she has come back to avenge her son's death. Grendel’s mother who “took a single victim and fled the hall” (411) may not have been as strong as her son but still caused the same kind of pain. Beowulf showed another reason he is an epic
“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
Epic heroes can have many different characteristics. Some heroes may even be mean. In this story our hero is Beowulf. Beowulf is a great epic for being so brave, fearless, and trustworthy.
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 shows he is an epic hero in three ways. These characteristics of Beowulf are superior strength and courage, performing brave deeds, and that he went on a quest. To start off, Beowulf is an epic hero he if has superior strength. In this text, “Beowulf had pulled off Grendel’s arm out of its socket”(Nye PDF 76).
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 is the epic hero in the Anglo-Saxon poem. He shows the characteristics of an epic hero that he possesses throughout his battles with Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the Dragon. Beowulf proves the theme that in order to be considered an epic hero the character must contribute acts of good, show superhuman qualities, and be a responsible and strong leader. Beowulf travels to Denmark to help Hrothgar by killing Grendel.
The first thing that Beowulf is known for his almighty strength against the foul beast named, Grendel. Grendel can not be defeated with any one man’s weapon, so Beowulf decides to fight him with his bare hands. In the battle he fights the beast, holding on to his arm with all his might. He will eventually rip Grendel's arm off ,which no man has ever done, and forces Grendel into submission. Beowulf would show great strength against Grendel’s mom killing her with a giant's sword which no other man could even lift, not to mention a swift blow to her neck.
His men honored his bravery and he lived on far longer than his death. “They extolled his heroic nature and exploits and give thanks for his greatness: which was the proper thing” (833). These acts of bravery can lead us to the point that Beowulf is in fact an epic
“The epic hero often battles for good, or accomplishes a set of tasks to complete an important goal.” (Jankowski 1) One of the many hero’s of British Literature is Beowulf. He is a epic hero because he exhibits all the
Like Beowulf, tales were told to show how a warrior should behave. Beowulf illustrates an epic hero by: risking death for the greater good, performing brave deeds, and by reflecting the ideas
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 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
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 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.
An Epic Hero is a brave, noble character in an epic poem, and they are admired for great achievements or affected by a grand event. In another point of view, A Epic Hero has to have strength, faith and Braveness in order to perform heroic deeds. In the story Beowulf , Beowulf is an epic hero because he kills Grendel the monster, Grendel’s Mother and a dragon that no one else could have defeated. All the things Beowulf did throughout this story showed evidence of an epic hero, also with his personality and dedication. Beowulf is an epic hero because of how he sacrificed his life to perform heroic deeds. Also for his extraordinary strength, Braveness, and Faith.