Epic Poem, Beowulf-The Geats Epic

The Geats Epic Hero
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” This quote is by Christopher Reeve and describes Beowulf perfectly. Beowulf is one of the oldest pieces of writing in the English language, whose author is yet to be discovered. Beowulf’s various human qualities, symbol of hope for multiple nations, and ability to conquer enemies at any cost proves that Beowulf is a true epic hero.
Beowulf demonstrates numerous human qualities such as his mortality and flaw during his intense battles (Johnson 16). Beowulf demonstrates his mortality several times throughout the poem. For example, during his conversation with Hrothgar, he says “if death does take me, send

When he accepts his first challenge in the poem, Grendel, a big and powerful creature with claws, had been tormenting Herot for “twelve winters” (Beowulf 62). Later, Hrothgar approaches Beowulf to inform him that the “only help, again, lies with [him]” and to “save [them] once more” from Grendel’s revenge-filled Mother (443-44; 446-47). In these moments, Beowulf embraces the role of being the ultimate hope to not just the Danes, but his fellow Geat brethren as well. After fifty years of ruling the Geats, he is once again put in a position of being their only hope when a big, powerful fire breathing “dragon begins terrorizing [them]” (62). Beowulf succeeded in stopping the dragon’s attacks at the cost of his own life. However, his mission was fulfilled. The Geats had been saved and proceeded to finish the final wishes of their fallen king.
Ultimately, his mortality and flaw, symbol of hope, and success against stronger opponents are prominent reasons why Beowulf should be considered an epic hero. Without Beowulf hundreds of men would have continued to die by the hands of Grendel and his mother or brute strength of the