Beowulf Epic Hero Essay

even as a weak old man, he chooses to be selfless. He could have just been satisfied with his success in his older battles, but he picks honor over comfort. Beowulf knew that he probably wouldn’t make it after this battle, but he was content with his achievements for his people. He left to face the dragon, and when they arrived, his men betrayed him. (Beowulf 87-88).

He says that their lives are guided by the heroic code. Then Beowulf proclaims that he will go fight Grendel's mother and Grendel in an underwater battle and then he sets off. On his way, he is captured by Grendel’s mom and taken. But, when he tries to fight back with his sword the sword does nothing to her causing him to start fighting with his bare hands. Then he discovers a weapon that could help him defeat his enemy and it is a great sword.

Beowulf is a very strong man. In order to fight and defeat Grendel he must show how strong he is. Beowulf states, “The truth is this: when the going was heavy in those high waves, I was the strongest swimmer of all." (532-534) This quote shows how Beowulf believes that he should always show his strength even when he does not have a heroic act to be accomplished; therefore, even if there is not a demon or dragon to fight, he wants to show his strength in different ways.

In the story, Beowulf, Beowulf’s first motivation, when fighting the monster Grendel, is his duty. Beowulf has been told by his people that he should fight this great monster. Beowulf possesses the strength and skill to defeat Grendel, therefore he should. This is crucial

Nor will I.” Beowulf shows courage by explaining, if Grendel doesn't need a weapon and fears no man, Beowulf doesn't fear Grendel or need a weapon to fight him. Again, in lines (312-315), Beowulf shows courage when he holds Grendel and won't let go, giving him no escape when the author states “That mighty protector of men Meant to hold the monster till its life leaped out , knowing the fiend was no use To anyone in Denmark.” Another example of Beowulf’s courage is shown when he says “Great king. They have seen my strength for themselves, Have watched me rise from the darkness of war, Dripping with my enemies’

Not only have we seen brute strength, honorable courage, and admirable loyalty shine through beowulf, Beowulf also possess a great trait not many others have; his will to fight to the death, or self sacrifice. Not once throughout the story did Beowulf ever turn down a battle. Not once did he fear or flee his enemy. Not once did he ever give up even if death had him by the throat causing his mind to flood nothing but fearful thoughts and feelings throughout his body. Every battle Beowulf fought, he fought as if it was his last and that is what truly makes him the great warrior he is.

During this time, full devotion to a king was integral and Beowulf expresses his intention to complete his mission at all costs. His courageous personality, unending bravery, and devout loyalty do not go unnoticed. Regardless of the challenge and the potential sacrifice, Beowulf’s devotion to protecting a fellow kingdom exemplifies his commitment to embodying the Anglo-Saxon code. After Beowulf’s meeting with Hrothgar, the king grants him permission to battle and kill Grendel. When addressing how he and his men plan to kill him Beowulf says, “I hereby renounce/ sword and the shelter of the broad shield,/ the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand/ is how it will be, a life-and-death with the

While he's fighting grendel's mother which wanted revenge for her only son that she had. For instance, Beowulf’s narrator says “he was weary, that best and strongest of soldiers.” (line 729) The narrator is mentioning on of grendel's characteristic. Furthermore, Beowulf saw that not even his sword would slice grendel’s mother skin off so he had to put his full strength in order to kill grendel's mother.

His loyalty could be supernatural, relating to his unknown supernatural powers. Therefore, Beowulf tries to prove himself a hero through his three conflictual battles; the Battle with Grendel, the Battle with Grendel's mother, and the final battle with the Dragon. Beowulf proved himself a hero in the Battle with Grendel by showing immense strength. He was so confident in himself that he said, “Why would I let my sword go where my feet are afraid to,”(170); therefore, he was courageous enough to fight the powerful monster with his bare hands.

As the story progress, Beowulf became king of the Geats for 50 years when suddenly a dragon emerged from slumber began to burn down villages. However, Beowulf didn’t pay the slightest attention, but instead ignored what was happening. Finally, when the dragon burns down Beowulf’s throne room Beowulf decided that he needs to deal with the dragon. In Beowulf 's eyes, the lives of his citizens couldn’t even compare to his throne room. When Beowulf prepared to fight the dragon he said, “Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning” (lines 2512-2514).

Beowulf risked his life multiple times by battling Grendel and Grendel’s mother to save the people of Denmark. He also embarks on a battle with a dragon as an old man ascending on the Geats Throne. Each battle Beowulf fought has all been for the safety of his people. Although the Knight did not battle as a deed for his people, he also is viewed as a humble person his battles were for a purpose greater than himself. The knight never talks about his brave and valorous deeds.

This proves that he is strong and brave because no one else could kill Grendel let alone face him. Beowulf kills Grendel with his bare hands and without armor on. Other warriors could not even kill him with a sword and armor. “Beowulf’s intention to fight Grendel with only his strength proves that he carries the characteristics of a true hero”(Hailey).

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.

As a payment to the king of the Danes, he decides to fight the dragon, just as he fought Grendel. Then he was a warrior and now he is a king responsible for his people. Beowulf’s decision is courageous but inappropriate for a king. His foolish but courageous decision causes him to die in the end. Before he fought the mighty dragon, he said “I’ve never known fear; as a youth I fought in endless battles.

I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me." (52) To Beowulf, even as an older and supposedly wiser man, his main reason for fighting monsters continues to be to gain more fame. Other heroes, like Gilgamesh and Odysseus, usually do heroic deeds to help their kingdoms and men. For example, Gilgamesh kills the heavenly bull to avoid a famine from wrecking his kingdom, while Odysseus works to save his men throughout the story multiple times. Loyalty towards himself before anyone or anything else, is one of the qualities that separates Beowulf from other traditional heroes.