Beowulf: An Epic Hero

“Beowulf” is an epic poem that happened to be set in Scandinavia even though it was written in England. This medieval poem consists of 3,182 lines, it is even said from archaeological discoveries that this story, is oldest surviving Anglo-Saxon manuscript (also considered one of the most important) may be true. Beowulf, the protagonist in the story is known as the bravest and the strongest warrior. In his time, only to later be named as a kind, gentle and generous king. For instance: “Crying that no better king had ever / Lived, no prince so mild, no man / So open to his people, so deserving of praise” (lines 895-897). Though seen as a great warrior, and perhaps even a great king(which he may be) does it actually make Beowulf a hero?

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However, I ’d have to say that i personally don 't think so. For one hishe actions simply dictate otherwise. Take this for instance: “Eyes were watching his evil steps, / Waiting to see his swift hard claws. / Grendel snatched at the first Geat / He came to, ripped him apart,cut / His body to bits with powerful jaws, / Drank the blood from his veins and bolted / Him down, hands and feet; death / And Grendel 's great teeth came together,/ snapping life shut. Then he stepped to another / Still body, clutched at beowulf with his claws, / Grasped at a strong hearted wakeful sleeper”. (lines 260-269) Theses are not the actions of a hero. These actions are heartless and cruel, and Beowulf himself shows that he lacked both empathy as well as a sense of right/wrong as he watched that man die for his own personal gain. Because in the end that was really all it was for.

Furthermore it is not simply the actions that dictate whether or not a man is truly a hero. For example there was also the fact the Beowulf only wanted one thing, “But Beowulf longed only for fame” (485-486) and “So fame comes to men who mean to win it and care about nothing else” (490-492). Heros do not lust after fame, yet Beowulf does. He didn 't care about protecting his people, that isn 't why he did any of what he did. He did it for fame and it 's stared at plainly in the story.

In conclusion, my personal opinion is that Beowulf is not a hero, he can 't be. He does things, thinks things that a real hero never