The Epic Of Epic Heroes

Christopher Reeve once said “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endures in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” In other words, a hero is a normal person who is able to be strong and persevere despite difficult obstacles preventing them. In the book, Beowulf, the the nephew of the king of the land of the geats, helps Hrothgar, another king, kill a series of monsters that threaten his kingdom. He helps Hrothgar kill Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and The Firedrake. Beowulf is a hero because he is just an ordinary person who finds the strength to persevere and endure despite the overwhelming obstacles preventing him from doing so. Beowulf embodies Christopher Reeve’s definition of a hero because he defeated the flesh-eating Grendel, who could not be stopped even by groups of elite soldiers. Beowulf also killed Grendel’s mother, a much eviler being who lived in a cave in an endless pool of blood that led to hell. Finally, he defeated The Firedrake, who swelled up and breathed fire when angry.

Beowulf has shown many characteristics of a hero. Where as Grendel has shown characteristics of being an outcast. The role of the hero in Beowulf was portrayed by Beowulf himself. Beowulf was the leader and took on three quests for the people. Most heros would need some form of preparation before they complete quests, but Beowulf on the other hand did not need any. Beowulf had a calling when he was leader. These callings were the three quests that Beowulf needed to complete for the greater good of Hrothgar’s people, defeating Grendel, defeating Grendel’s mother, and attempting to slay the dragon that had burned the houses and land of the Geats’.

Grendel the lake dwelling cannibal is what first shows us that Beowulf can become someone great. Beowulf, a smart warrior constructs a plan that out smarts Grendel. With that advantage, Beowulf fights Grendel with only his hands. He wants to be fair in the fight because Grendel does not use any weapon when he attacks. By Beowulf killing Grendel with brute strength, it shows how he’s willing to risk his life to save others. But, however, his battles are far from over.

Beowulf was a hero not only because of his physical strength, but also for his concern for other people. “The hero must move beyond human limits in order to have the capacity to combat the monstrous forces that threaten the social order;” (Sharma 264) Beowulf has been deemed by most to have superhuman strength, but his superhuman strength alone does not make Beowulf any more a hero than Grendel’s strength makes him a hero. Beowulf rises above the limits of a regular human being

Odysseus displays as an epic hero in the Odyssey. But what is an epic hero? Some characteristics of an epic hero is someone who is brave, strong, and intelligent. A hero was a leader who had not only physical strength, but mental strength as well. Odysseus faces many obstacles and life-threatening situations, but he overcomes them all. Odysseus demonstrates a lot of heroic like qualities during the reading of the odyssey.

Odysseus shows that he is an epic hero by the multiple obstacles Odysseus faces in his adventure, in “ The Odyssey” An epic hero is a brave, intelligent, ongoing, and also noble character. “ A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself “ (Joseph Campbell). In the Odyssey, Odysseus is an epic hero because he is favored, a leader moreover strong.

Beowulf was a fearless fighter and fought Grendel without any armor or weapons. Beowulf's strength was unlike any other, this is essentially proven mid fight when Grendel's arm is ripped from his body by the bare hands of Beowulf. This bloody battle signifies Beowulf as a hero since he took on Grendel, a task that no other man would dare,

Beowulf became the epic hero he was, from his will for his love to succeed, his strength to never give up even if it meant death .He existed trying to become like his father or even to surpass him. He defeated the dragon and his pride lead him to his death, but he saved so many lives before his inevitable demise. He gave his life for what he believed in, for honor, pride and for his people. Which in turn creates the next hero, Wiglaf who served Beowulf willing to give his life for him, and in the end he defeated the dragon alongside his hero and master Beowulf.

In the The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus exhibited many traits that affected his journey. Some of these traits match the typical traits of an epic hero. An epic is a long narrative often relating the adventures of epic heroes, which describes the Odyssey, with Odysseus acting as the epic hero. An epic hero is a physically impressive hero who is on a great quest for something, battling fate, and all forces to get that. Odysseus is fighting against all odds to reach his home of Ithaca, where he was a strong leader and fighter.

An epic hero is a larger than life figure from a history or legend, usually favored by or even partially descended from deities, but aligned more closely with mortal figures in popular portrayals. The epic hero performs deeds and exemplifies certain morals that are valued by the society from which the epic originates. Epic heroes are superhuman in that they are smarter, stronger, and braver than average humans. This hero is also strong, smart, and brave. In the Odyssey, Odysseus fits this definition perfectly. He demonstrates these heroic traits. He goes on a journey that most would never complete without several helpers. Odysseus did it with a few helpers, but mostly by himself. In the epic poem, “The Odyssey”, Odysseus is an epic hero because he is strong, brave, and smart.

Before we get into how the two epic heroes are alike and different we must look at what a epic hero is and what he or she does. There are many different kinds of epic heroes. Epic heroes are a lot more than just warriors and fighters; they don’t fight the battles that they fight for nothing. They have a purpose for why they are fighting it whether it is for themselves or for their people. They always fight for a purpose. Odysseus and Beowulf would not be the epic heroes they are believed to be if

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.

In terms of epic poetry, the word “epic” depicts a lengthy poem containing heroic events (Hirsch 1). For one to be classified as a hero, one must display certain qualities and experience events that prove a character’s heroic potentials. Epic heroes are somewhat similar to superheroes, yet they are also different. Like epic heroes, superheroes endeavor challenging events to protect civilians and defeat villains. While the two types of heroes are broadly alike, epic heroes are generally an evident source in society, while superheroes are typically called upon in time of need. This may be the reason as to why they are known as superheroes and not epic heroes. Heroes such as Beowulf and Sir Gawain are the starting point which inspired authors to produce superheroes such as Power Girl. Both heroes are created due to some influence, perhaps one that is historical. Historical influences could determine as to whether or not the heroes are epic. One must analyze the character traits and endeavors that Power Girl endures in order to classify her as an epic hero.

“Though he appears on the verge of defeat many times -- a characteristic of the epic hero -- he ultimately triumphs” (Magher). Although there are many characteristics of heroes and epic heroes, one thing is usually common among them all, that the hero triumphs at the end of the difficult challenge. In Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey, there are two epic heroes that share few characteristics and are vastly different in nearly every portion of their lives. Achilles and Odysseus are two epic heroes who face difficult journeys and situations that they ultimately have to overcome. The way these two heroes overcome those obstacles is very different, yet they are both considered epic heroes. What it means to be a hero is a question very open to interpretation. Is it merely someone who wins, saves the damsel in distress, and is idolized for various achievements? Or is it something more, something deeper within a person that leads them in the direction of helping others? Regardless of the many definitions of a hero, it goes without question that both Achilles and Odysseus are indeed epic heroes. In Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey, Achilles and Odysseus can be compared and contrasted as epic heroes.

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