Beowulf as a Epic Hero

949 words 4 pages
Show More
Beowulf Paper

A true hero does not fear death or, but instead risks all that he is for what he believes to be right, moral, and just. Beowulf is an epic and tells the story of a legendary hero, conquering all obstacles as if he was immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf's life he was constantly looking to be the hero. However, his humanity is exposed by his death. Heroes all share the characteristic of their willingness to die in their effort to accomplish their heroic act, thus making the act in itself heroic. Throughout the epic, Beowulf in many ways exhibited all the qualities and characteristics needed to be a true hero.
Beowulf was passed on from person to person. Beowulf possesses the superhuman abilities, and the amazing power …show more content…

Beowulf had a band of mighty men, willing to die for their leader, and this in turn gave Beowulf much power, which gave him confidence and helped his courage to finish off the evil beast Grendel. With everything Beowulf had in his personality traits, he still could not ignore the fact that he was only human, that is why he had the ability to die. But dying as a noble person, as a leader, and a courageous man is what made Beowulf the hero that he was. Dying for the well being of his fellow warriors made him a hero.
As heroic as Beowulf is, he is still human. He still has doubts in his abilities, abilities to fight, but more so, doubts in his ability to forever live. Beowulf knows that he is human, and in the end, after all his glory, he dies. All of Beowulf's heroic deeds and battles make him the hero he desires to be. Perhaps what makes Beowulf live today, forever a legend of the past, is the fact that he did die, making him a mortal being; living and dying with the people, for the people, and as a person.
Beowulf is the prime example of an epic hero. He is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero, not only of the Anglo-Saxon time. His bravery and strength exceed all mortal men; loyalty, morals and virtues and the ability to think of himself last make him respected by all. He set a noble example for all human beings. Beowulf is most definitely an epic hero, and a hero of the

Related

  • Beowulf study guide
    1565 words | 7 pages

    1) Describe how we find King Hrothgar and his response to learning that Beowulf has come to his kingdom. A. The king is sad and depressed that his kingdom has fallen into such a state of disrepair. He is overjoyed to learn that Beowulf, whom he knows from stories and his father, Ecgtheow, has come to fight Grendel. Hrothgar promises Beowulf treasure if he can defeat the monster. 2) In the beginning of “Beowulf,” King Hrothgar’s hall has been deserted for twelve years. In a short essay, tell why….

    Show More
  • Good and Evil in Beowulf
    1032 words | 5 pages

    The story of Beowulf was probably composed in England sometime in the Eighth Century AD, and written down circa 1000 AD, by a literate scop (bard) or perhaps a Christian scribe who was possibly educated in a monastery. The poem was created in oral tradition and was transferred to writing over time. It had its roots in folk tales and traditional stories until some very talented poet put it in something very near to its current form. The poem was more than likely performed for audiences at court….

    Show More
  • Jesus - the Epic Hero
    969 words | 4 pages

    Jesus – the Epic Hero Although the Bible’s description of Jesus and his crucifixion has not been changed, the perception of the people about Jesus has been changing throughout the ages. The poem “The Dream of the Rood” is good example of a unique view of Jesus and his crucifixion. The poem is referred as “one of the first and most successful treatments of the crucifixion” in Old English poetry (Burrow 123). The poem consists of a mixture of Christian and epic elements and has a very unique style….

    Show More
  • A Critical Appraisal of: Beowulf and Gilgamesh
    1632 words | 7 pages

    A Critical Appraisal of: Beowulf and Gilgamesh There are many differences and critical comparisons that can be drawn between the epics of Beowulf and Gilgamesh. Both are historical poems which shape their respected culture and both have major social, cultural, and political impacts on the development of western civilization literature and writing. Before any analysis is made, it is vital that some kind of a foundation be established so that a further, in-depth exploration of the complex nature….

    Show More
  • Christian and Pagan Ideals in Beowulf
    1360 words | 6 pages

    and past events. Written down in approximately 1,000 A.D. by an unknown author, Beowulf, originally a pagan fable, became a Christian allegory upon its transcription by Christian monks. However, as scholars have debated over the religious context in Beowulf, the attempts by the monks to turn the epic poem into a Christian parable ended merged, including both original and Christian aspects. Throughout Beowulf, the epic combines pagan ideals of fate or wyrd and the will of God, the similar concepts….

    Show More
  • Is Grendel Truley Evil?
    1109 words | 5 pages

    Circumstance? : How humanity has a tendency to put labels on people they don’t really understand. In the epic of Beowulf, one of the warrior’s biggest adversaries is a creature from the swamp named Grendel. Although the character of Grendel is present for only a short portion in the story of Beowulf, Grendel signifies one of the important messages in the text about humanity. In Beowulf, Grendel is called a ‘monster’. However, if observed closely, analyzing the meaning behind the story, it is easy….

    Show More
  • Grendel vs. Beowulf
    982 words | 4 pages

    One of the most compelling and highly developed characters in the novel Grendel, written by John Gardner, and the poem Beowulf, written by an anonymous poet, is the monster, Grendel. Even though these pieces show two different sides to Grendel they are similar in many ways. Grendel evokes sympathy toward the hideous monster by making him seem like the victim, while Beowulf portrays him as being the most loathsome of enemies. The reasons behind Grendel’s being, his killing, and finally….

    Show More
  • Macbeth and School Infirmary
    1627 words | 7 pages

    | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Which of these is a specific type of parody? | | | A. mock-epic | | | | B. folk ballad | | | | C. conceit | | | | D. paradox | | How is a diary, such as Pepys’s, different from a history such as Bede’s? | | | A. A diary is usually more personal. | | | | B. A diary is usually….

    Show More

Popular Essays