Before his confrontation with Grendel, he did many other things to assist his people. An example of him doing this is when he speaks of himself killing the giants and wiping them off the earth. He says, "They have seen my strength for themselves,/have watched me rise from the darkness/of war, dripping of my enemies' blood/I drove five great giants into chairs, chased/all of that race from the Earth." (246-250) Beowolf proves his strength to others and to himself. In his fight with Grendels' mother Beowolf proves many things.
The Epic Hero Beowulf is characterized as an epic hero by possessing qualities in which common mortals lack, battling for the common good, and displaying honor in every act. An epic hero is the central character in an epic, a long narrative poem that recounts the adventures of a legendary hero in pursuit of a goal. According to Jankowski, “Understanding the significance of Beowulf 's acts requires an understanding of the key figures in the epic poem” (1). Epics have been used to preserve values and traditions. They are a rich resource for exploring the history and values of different world cultures.
He shows his courage when he defeats Polyphemos, a giant, in an epic battle. Odysseus also shows he is a courageous leader by showing his care about his crew’s well-being. He stands up against Kirke when she turns his men into swine, he risked his own life and safety to in returning to free them . A quote that shows this is "Oh, Kirke, how could any man in his right mind ever endure to taste of the food and drink that are set before him, until with his eyes he saw his companions set free? So then, if you are sincerely telling me to eat and drink, set them free, so my eyes can again behold my eager companions.” He also shows his concern about his men when he travels all the way back to Kirke’s island just to bury Elpenor because he was in pain in the Underworld.
Hawkeye and Cora are to Romeo and Juliet; an unconditional love. James Fenimore Cooper assumed we would infer Hawkeye an ideal hero and noble savage because of his heroic actions and all the attributes he holds. He can be a savage and a gentleman, a killer and a peacemaker, a loner and a lover through everything he is and does. Every living being needs a hero like Hawkeye, something to believe in; and without this superman or superwoman we can only survive
Beowulf clearly showed that he was truly a hero because he had wisdom and fortitude. There are many types of heroes and Beowulf may not be a hero like Superman or Spiderman, but there is no doubt that Beowulf was a hero beyond compare. Many of the above examples heroism were closely related, this is because a true hero needs to be able to have the wisdom to know what to do and fortitude to do it.
Beowulf an Epic Hero An epic hero according to Anglo-Saxon literature is a hero who is larger-than-life; someone with self-confidence, great strength, and the qualities of loyalty, bravery, and honor. Beowulf can be considered an epic hero for multiple reasons throughout “Beowulf.” Beowulf is a character constructed on all of the Anglo-Saxon epic hero qualifications. For starters, Beowulf is seen as a noble character, that is willing to provide security for the people by risking his own life. As a character, Beowulf conducts superhuman strength, and can complete impossible tasks. These are only some among many other reasons and characteristics that Beowulf can be classified as an epic hero.
It took the strength of a hero. Beowulf clearly showed that he was truly a hero because he had wisdom and fortitude. There are many types of heroes and Beowulf may not be a hero like Superman or Spiderman, but there is no doubt that Beowulf was a hero beyond compare. Many of the above examples heroism were closely related, this is because a true hero needs to be able to have the wisdom to know what to do and fortitude to do it.
They willingly sacrifice as much as their lives in order to achieve victory. In the epic poem Beowulf, acts of dedication, heroism and bravery are exemplified through the characters of Hrothgar, Beowulf and Wiglaf. Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, undoubtedly yearns for what is best for his people. Having much experience with poor fortune and atrocity, Hrothgar is most necessary for assisting Beowulf in his development as a hero. His old age and familiarity with the pros and cons of leadership and power give him much wisdom, which he then passes on to Beowulf.
The character Macbeth’s only greedy concern is in the throne as well, and we know for sure that he definitely kills the King for his own covetous interests. Shakespeare’s most violent tragedy, Macbeth is about a brave Scottish general who receives a prophecy that one day he would become the king of Scotland. Obsessed by ambition and encouraged by his wife, Macbeth invites the King to his home and murders good King Duncan and takes the throne of the King of Scotland. “Throughout, [Macbeth] the defenders of righteousness are associated with positive images of natural order and with patriarchal control. Duncan rewards his subjects by saying ‘I have begun to plant thee, and will labor/To make thee full of growing’ (1.4.
The murders of Duncan, Banquo and Macduff’s family are proof enough to show that Macbeth’s inner goodness and humanity have been destroyed and replaced by his ambition. When Duncan names Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland, Macbeth decides on the murder of the king. This involves him having to overcome hesitations, but aided by the persuasion of his wife, he undertakes this task. Additionally, Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son, due to the witch’s prediction of Fleance becoming king. Finally, the slaughter of Macduff’s household by the same murderers, to ensure he would reach his ambition without obstacles, is a final seal to prove that Macbeth’s sense of ambition drives him to near-insanity.