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Epic Hero

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Epic Hero
Allison Fain
Bukowski
English 4A
19 April, 2013
Is Beowulf an epic? An epic hero is a brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events. An epic poem, “The main character or protagonist is heroically larger then life, often the source and subject of legend or a national hero.”(Robert) An epic poem is an old English poem filled with both complex people and tribes, supernatural figures of monsters and dragons. Also they can be a mixture of pagan rituals, witch are myths or drowned out stories that have a drastic change in events as the story moves on in life, and Christian beliefs . The story of Beowulf, an original old English poem back in Anglo-Saxon’s time about a serious and worthy traditional subject filled with heroism. Beowulf being the main character known as an “epic hero”, although the author is unknown the story speaks for itself. An epic hero “is the main character or protagonist, heroically larger than life, a legend, known for more strength, and courage of a human.”(Robert) Also “a epic hero should not only be a warrior and a leader, but also be tested to have enough confidence and courage like a god.”(Allingham pg2) An example of a normal hero is a human with normal strength and enough courage to help people, but they also fear death, such as a firefighter or a police man, doing duties to help others as much as they can. An epic hero, or should I say a “super hero”, has super human physical strengths and courage, to put people before themselves, that is also not afraid to die. Beowulf has many treats of an epic hero. For example he is known for his super strength, and his ability to put his peoples welfare before is own. Another heroic trait is that Beowulf had was, he wasn’t afraid to die, as long as he took care of what was needed to be done for the lives of his people, such as fighting off dragons and monsters. Beowulf has many qualities of an epic hero, such as super strength,

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