The Epic Of Beowulf Is A True Hero

For many centuries in a row he was considered to be an example of a person easily overcoming extremely difficult obstacles, inspiring the others, showing great courage, sacrificing his life for good and generally typifying all the traits of a hero. He lived in the era, when the monsters and rival armies were the major problems to worry about. It is his courage and physical strength that allowed Beowulf to successfully conquer the evil Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a terrorizing dragon. Probably, all modern book heroes are likewise courageous, loyal, wise and self-sacrificing. Just call everyone you know to the memory: Batman, Ironman, Spiderman, Capitan America, Superman, etc.

Alexander Hamilton once said, “There is a certain Enthusiasm in liberty that makes Human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.” Beowulf is an epic poem in which the main character Beowulf did acts of service, but he fought for those who couldn’t fight. The overall theme of good versus evil in Beowulf had Beowulf dealing with challenges that no ordinary man would be able to handle unless they were a true epic hero. Throughout the poem Beowulf proves to be an epic hero by his strength, bravery, and sacrifice. Beowulf is an epic hero because of his strength. His strength isn’t the same as an ordinary man, “He twisted in pain and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped muscle and on split and broke” (lines 337-340).

Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon epic about a great warrior who values the Anglo-Saxon ideas of loyalty, personal indebtedness, fame, fate, and heroism. The epic is named after, and centered on, Beowulf and his quests; however, several other characters also reflect Anglo-Saxon values throughout the story. For example, King Hrothgar built “the best/ Of all mead-halls” (ll.145-146) so that his “men lived happy” (l. 15). Hrothgar built the mead-hall because he was indebted to his men who served and protected him. Meanwhile, Beowulf was indebted to Hrothgar because Hrothgar once defended Beowulf’s family.

The hero was confronted immediately, the battle was hard of Beowulf but by divine intervention our hero was able to survive and triumph using a giant’s sword. He slayed Grendel’s Mom and saved the Danes ones more, for this he is considered a

Some examples are, Beowulf Slaying Grendel and Grendel's mother to save the land of the Danes, and soldiers fighting enemies that threaten the lives of a country, and police officers putting criminals behind bars. Both Beowulf and modern day heroes risk their life for the good of others and are held to a high regard. "Nor have I seen a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken, is truly noble. This is no mere hanger-on in a hero's armor”. Beowulf was a considered an epic hero because he did great deeds and was of high importance.

A series of three battles allows the reader to understand things about Beowulf that reveal the mortal side of him. The greatest strength Beowulf possessed was his courage and confidence. When he arrived in the land of the Danes, he was willing to give his full services to the Danes in order to free them from the years of trouble they had suffered at the hand of Grendel. At this point in the story, the reader sees the first sign of Beowulf’s invincibility. The way he was welcomed into the kingdom showed the trust the king, Hrothgar, had in Beowulf.

His courage and strength exceed all human men. Beowulf came willingly to help the Danes which was highly unusual in a time of war (Fisher). He set a moral example for human beings spreading the need of friendship. Beowulf was most definitely the ideal Anglo-Saxon warrior as an epic hero of epic proportions (GÓMEZ-CALDERÓN). Gilgamesh was destined to greatness from birth.

Who needs a hero? Throughout human existence, societies have always looked upon heroes and champions as a gleam of hope in times of desperation. “Like a champion, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.” In the Odyssey by Homer the main character Odysseus displays many of the great qualities that define a hero and thus forevermore he has been remembered, honored, and reverend by multitudes as an epic hero. Odysseus’s courageous leadership in time of war, his volatile journey home, his strengths and his flaws, have made him immortal for generations to come. What defines an epic hero?

They described Beowulf in the story as a perfect hero. He was strong, and outstanding fighter and very loyal to all who came into his presence. Beowulf was a marvelous person who considered helping everyone. The story gives examples and clues of his great courage and of his great strength. Beowulf took on so many things and defeated it all.

It was a friendship that made it worthwhile when going into battle. It was a warrior's brethren that spurred his fight while in battle. It is a well-known law that in Anglo-Saxon culture and society if warriors didn’t return with their comrades they were publicly shamed and humiliated. It was your friends that told of your glorious feats when you passed, that kept you alive even when you weren’t. It is well known that Beowulf valued all of his friendships dearly even at the end of his