An epic hero is typically described as a larger-than-life character, who displays skill, courage, and virtue against an opposing force. In the English epic Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, battles three brutally terrifying creatures: Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a menacing dragon. The large amount of skill, courage, and virtue Beowulf exhibits during these three battles prove he is in fact an epic hero.
It takes a great amount of skill to defeat the brutal monsters Beowulf did. One example of Beowulf’s skill is during one of Grendel’s viscous attacks. It says in lines 321 through 324, “[Grendel] clutched at Beowulf with his claws, grasped at a strong-hearted wakeful sleeper--and was instantly seized himself, claws bent back
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I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding his tower dares to face me” (lns. 624-627). This last boast of Beowulf’s shows his courage in going into battle at over fifty years old. He uses no weapon, only his hands, which only further proves Beowulf’s courage.
Beowulf shows virtue, a characteristic described as showing morally exceptional behavior, throughout the entire epic. Before his first battle, he is informed about the terrible creature, Grendel, causing havoc in a land across the sea. It was morally exceptional of him to immediately feel the need to help the people in this land.
Before the battle between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother, Beowulf speaks, “And the precious gifts you gave me, my friend, send them to Higlac. May he see in their golden brightness, the Geats’ great lord gazing at your treasure, that here in Denmark I found a noble protector, a giver of rings whose rewards I won and briefly relished. And you, Unferth, let my famous old sword stay in your hands” (lns. 457-464). This shows the graciousness of Beowulf, giving away his possessions of value to him, which in turn shows his
Since the beginning of Beowulf, the character Beowulf shows courage in everything he does. This is proven when he battles Grendel, a descendant of Cain that haunts the halls of Herot. Beowulf being a mighty protector of men, holds the monster down until his life leaps out (Beowulf lines 472-475). As Beowulf battles Grendel, he is determined to
Beowulf is “the strongest of the Geats -- greater / and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world” (ll.110-111). Even though he is famous for his massive strength, Beowulf has other attributes that are noticeable other than his strength. These attributes, arrogance, bravery, and a strong love for his people are what make Beowulf become such a powerful, epic hero. Beowulf is arrogant. He constantly brags about his supreme strength. The “strongest man alive” lets people know that he is the most powerful person around by saying, “no strength is a match for mine” (l.267). Beowulf does not think that he could ever be destroyed by anything. He obviously never questiones how his fighting ability would be when he was around seventy. Since Beowulf is convinced that God is watching over him, his ego makes him act as if he is invincible, because of the idea that he has a guardian angel. But, as Beowulf gets older, wiser, and fights in more battles he should realize that there was a possibility that he can die. Beowulf also boasts about his many battles, and is proud of himself for winning all of them. One of these triumphs is the battle in the water when he meets up with nine sea monsters which he killeds, and fights with a monster that is digging its jaws into Beowulf’s flesh. Beowulf proclaims that “ I fought that beast’s last battle, / left it floating in the sea” (ll.290-291). This epic tale reads that while Beowulf is in battle with Grendel’s mother, all he cares was about the fame he would get for defeating her. Unferth thinks that Beowulf was arrogant, by saying, “ You’re Beowulf, are you the same / Boastful fool who fought a swimming / Match with Brecca” (ll.239-241). Yes, Beowulf is a boastful fool that loves the attention that his strength gives him. A strong man and an arrogant one, Beowulf is also brave. Even after all of the horror stories that he hears about Grendel, he still fights the cursed beast without any hesitation. When he battles with Grendel, he does it without the things that everyone else would use--weapons. This shows that Beowulf is not scared of anything in the world. He also must be brave to fight a sea monster after swimming in the ocean for days. He went straight into battle exhausted, from the strenuous journey across the ocean.
Beowulf is a good example of a courageous and strong hero. He shows all of
First of all, Beowulf came to help Hrothgar on his own free will. Hearing of the troubles that Hrothgar was having with a monster terrorizing Herot, his mead hall, Beowulf bravely offered his help not knowing what he was up against. When he arrived, Beowulf did not ask the king for either money nor fame. The only favor that he asked of Hrothgar was that he and his men were to fight the monster, Grendel. Coming away from one's homeland to help get rid of a man-eating monster and asking for nothing in return takes much courage and is an extremely brave deed.
What are the qualities of an epic hero? An Epic hero is a hero on a
What does it mean to be a hero? Like anything else in this world, the definition of the word hero can be argued. Some may say that a hero can be passive, that is if he or she refrains from doing a certain action it makes them heroic. Others would argue that to be truly heroic the character must never turn tail and always face the obstacle head on even though he or she may die in the process. So is Beowulf a hero? Yes, Beowulf is a great epic hero, but his greatness comes only from his sword and not from his mind.
This quote is one of many examples of Beowulf’s pride. Beowulf, a strong warrior, wants to fight Grendel, a malicious monster. Although his adventure is seen to benefit his honor and glory, he is thoughtful of others and gives his time, labor, and treasures to them. The Anglo-Saxons hold a high respect for pride and sacrifice. Beowulf’s lust for glory and pride is obvious he wants to be known and feared. But throughout the story there is an unspoken tone about his constant charity. When he fights a monster for
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 Beowulf can be classified as an epic hero.
Beowulf has fought many fierce and rough battles. He himself wanted this for his kingdom. He wanted the best for his kingdom. Beowulf was very selfless, and only seeked for fame, and the well-being of the people around him. He could deal with this dragon he has dealt with far worse. Beowulf was going to slay this Horrible Dragon.
Beowulf’s audacity to fight Grendel without any help or weapons displays an incredible amount of bravery and courage. Everyone who knew Beowulf’s name knew him as the “strongest of the Geats-greater/And stronger than anyone anywhere in the world-”(Beowulf 110-111). Beowulf displayed his strength through his acts of bravery in and out of battles, to gain his reputation and fame. Hrothgar and his people try to flee from Grendel because of his ravenous appetite for man and their knowledge that “Distance was safety; the only survivors/ were those who fled him”(57-59). After twelve long winters as Grendel terrorised Herot, Beowulf “Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror/ And quickly commanded a boat fitted out ( 112-114). Beowulf
Before Beowulf’s fight with Grendel, “[he] assured the Danish queen that his heart was firm and his hands were ready.”() Beowulf came from the Canes to fight the monstrous Grendel and free the people of fear and despair. Also to mention is the fact that Beowulf entered the fight “weaponless and unafraid” (). His lack of armor is in hopes to earn glory for his people. Hi confidence signifies his pride .His pride seems to aid him in the most difficult of battles. Boastfully, Beowulf had hung [Grendel’s head], arm, claws and shoulder and all [on the wall]”. Beowulf’s physical capabilities allows him to easily tear off Grendel’s
Beowulf is able to go against all odds, and actions acting against him while risking his own life. There are many moments when Beowulf shows bravery, such as how eager he is to finally meet Grendel. Grendel has killed thirty men and carried them all at once, however Beowulf is eager to meet, and battle him. Another example of bravery is when Beowulf faces Grendel’s mother under water. Beowulf tells the prince, “And if your enemy should end my life then be, o generous prince, forever the father and protector of all whom I leave behind me” (ln. 452). Beowulf knows that he has an impossible task ahead of him but yet again he is risking his life to save others. In this battle against Grendel’s mother, Beowulf must hold his breath an extremely unrealistic amount of time, while fighting a battle with weapons that were useless against the monster. This superhuman powers are only small examples that stress the epic hero qualities Beowulf possesses.
While fighting Grendel, Beowulf not only matches the demon’s fortitude, but overcomes it, forcing Grendel back and ripping his arm off (lines 271-284). There was a moment during the battle with Grendel’s mother in which things looked hopeless for Beowulf, but he summoned his gallant strength and was able to throw her to the ground, then grabbed a sword that was forged by giants and finally killed her (lines 513-523). Upon arriving at the tower in which the dragon resides, Beowulf stoutheartedly challenges it. During the ensuing fight, his shield began to melt and his sword broke (lines 62-67) but he still fought, despite knowing that it was a losing battle. The dragon virulently wounded Beowulf but even in spite of this, the old King fought with all of the vigor he had left. His loyal follower Wiglaf stepped in, and together they were able to slay the beast. Each of these moments in Beowulf’s life were only possible due to his remarkable
An epic hero is a main character who embodies the ideals of a certain culture. The character is named Beowulf and he represents the ideals of the Anglo-Saxon culture which were bravery, skillfulness, and generosity. Beowulf showed his braveness multiple times throughout the story. After he heard of a monster named Grendel who, for twelve years had been attacking King Hrothgar's mead hall Heorot, Beowulf traveled to the Danish islands to defeat him. Even though Beowulf didn't know anything about Grendel he went on a long voyage to reach the islands so that the Hrothgar's people need not live in fear. Then, after Beowulf Grendel, Grendel's mother came after the people of Heorot to avenge her son's death. To reach her, Beowulf had to dive into dark dangerous waters, facing unknown peril. He swam down through the shadowy lake by himself fighting off monsters the whole way. Once he did arrive at her lair a vicious fight ensued, but the courageous Beowulf came out victorious once again. Later in Beowulf's life, a dragon destroys his village and the large mead hall he had built for his men. Even though he knew he was no longer as agile and strong, Beowulf went straight to the dragon and gave a defiant shout of challenge.
Beowulf also contains an epic hero. The title of the poem has been named after our epic hero, Beowulf. In definition, an epic hero is someone that does larger than life deeds and is stronger and smarter than any normal man; and Beowulf fits this description as if the mold were made for him. He has the strength of thirty men and uses it as a major weapon against evil. This can be seen through Beowulf’s battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.