Why Beowulf Is An Epic Hero

In the epic poem, Beowulf, the central character Beowulf demonstrates qualities of a hero, such as bravery, loyalty, and strength. Throughout the text, Beowulf is acknowledged for his heroic deeds and great defeats. He takes on challenges and sacrifices himself to protect his people. In traditional oral poetry, a theme is “a group of ideas regularly used in telling a tale in a formulaic style of a traditional song” (Lord, Singer,68). The theme of battle between Beowulf and Grendel shows Beowulf’s courage, as he relies on God and puts his life on the line to defeat Grendel for the greater good.

“A hero is someone who given his life to something bigger than oneself.” (Campbell) Beowulf is the Anglo Saxons. Beowulf most courageous warrior ever. He goes on quest and journeys and chose his path of being a hero and to kill monsters who ever tries to hurt Beowulf people.

Third, Beowulf has character traits that reflect the societal ideal. Many admired him for his outstanding courage in battle. Beowulf was fiercely loyal to his king. The main value that Beowulf represented was that he only ever battled for the fame it would bring him, never just to battle something or someone. Finally, Beowulf performs actions that determine the fate of the Danes.

Darian Aker Mr. Tate English IV 27 September, 2017 Beowulf Essay In this epic, the main character, Beowulf, faces many horrendous monsters. However, as the reader, and the interpreter, I am asked to explain how Beowulf portrays the qualities of an archetypal epic hero. After reading of his battles, his character displays great acts of courage, intelligence, and strength, while warriors revel as Beowulf defeats the creatures. Following his battles, Grendel and Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar and his men celebrate and thank him for his acts of bravery with many cherished gifts.

The poem clearly depicts Beowulf as a man of superhuman strength. He displayed this power by killing Breca in which his “sword had killed nine sea monsters”(). His Strength is also demonstrated when he kills Grendel. He faced a difficult challenge, but accomplishes the task quickly and efficiently. "When it comes to fighting I count

Epic Hero or Epic Zero Would one think of Odysseus as an epic hero? Although he had excessive pride and cheated on his wife, he has many traits that makes him an epic hero. For example, Odysseus was able to come up with a genius plan to injure Polyphemos before he could eat any more of Odysseus’ men, that demonstrates the trait of intelligence. Odysseus has been through many hardships and has always used his traits to help him get through any obstacle. Throughout Odysseus’ journey home, he demonstrates leadership, intelligence, and superhuman strength.

Beowulf demonstrated bravery in the face of opposition. He was also a selfless warrior, who fought for the greater good of his people. Achilles was also a brave warrior, but he fought for what he wanted. Making him more of a selfish person. Both of these heroes demonstrated cunning, and wisdom through battle.

The traits that build up a perfect hero are all described in the acts of an epic poem called Beowulf . This poem set its lights on the character called Beowulf , who is a hero from the tribe called Geats . With his exceptional characteristics , he vanquished the enemy of the Danes called Grendel , as well as Grendel's mother , and a fire-breathing dragon . One of the most essential attributes a hero should have is honesty , which is the act of being truthful or sincere towards people . Beowulf proved the existence of that trait in his personality when he stated all the battles he conquered to King Hrothgar in the time of volunteering to kill Grendel .

A warrior’s utmost quest is acquiring glory before death. In Beowulf, the hero of this epic does not let obstruction hinder his pursuit of glory. Throughout the poem Beowulf, fights and defeats two monsters and a dragon with the help of no one. The thing that matters the most to Beowulf is accomplishing sempiternal glory and fame. Although glorified Beowulf seemed to have a ultimate longing for supreme glorification as seen through his three valiant battles.

Not to mention, most people root for the good guy, but every great story has an even greater villain. In reality, a lot of times in these types of stories, the hero's endeavors are hardly ever impetuous. Stories including superheroes and villains, excite people because they leave sitting at the edge of our seats, dying to know how it ends. In the poem, Beowulf, a hero not only goes up to battle once, but three times; which leads the question: why does he do what he does? Beowulf's motivations can be summed up by capability, fame, and selflessness.

This story has lived on by people who have told the story to other people. They are fascinated by the story of Beowulf a brave and noble hero who fights to protect others. This story is unlike any other story because it is about a man who faces his fears head on. People loved him because he was courageous and he succeeded in his actions. Beowulf was not the

“Dripping with my enemies blood, I drove five great giants into chains chased all of that race from the earth.” An epic hero is someone who possess qualities such as bravery, strength, and superhuman. Beowulf’s willingness and sacrifice of himself to save others is why I must really say he is and epic hero. Some people could be heroes but still not have it in them to want to slay dragons and fight monster, But that was no challenge for Beowulf.

Beowulf was an amazing hero. His life was full of battles and epics that would take demy Gods to complete. Beowulf has conquered many tasks that would make many men see him as a God in the body of a man. Beowulf was a great tale told for a long time to inspire people that man can do great things, can be heros.

Additionally, Beowulf’s immense courage makes him fit for representing the ideal epic hero. Beowulf is brave and he does not avoid doing anything that might be dangerous or risky. Beowulf is even willing to give up his life, when he performs some of the courageous deeds. For example, when Beowulf plans to fight Grendel, he tells Hrothgar: “’the monster’s scorn of men / Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. / Nor will I’”

Introduction In this paper, I will involve in exploring one trait of a hero in a nuanced and complex way. I will build this complexity by discussing two heroes who posses this trait, and one who does not. To illustrate, an epic hero is a character in the epic story or poem who is brave and noble. I will involve in exploring three heroes (Beowulf, Odysseus and Merry).