Beowulf was a very courageous character because he always went into battles with no fears in mind and he never gave up. In the story of Beowulf, Grendel, who is a monster that has a hatred for humans, went to attack Beowulf, but when Beowulf fought back, Grendel was thinking that, “nowhere on Earth had he met a man whose hands were harder.” Beowulf showed him how strong he was by letting him have the full force of his brute. After Beowulf killed Grendel, he faced the…
Today heroes consist of superman, batman, Tom Cruises and Michael Jordans who are very different from Beowulf's time. Back then, heroes were kings and warriors who basically protected their people and country. The warriors were strong men who could physically make or prevent an attack in order to protect their country. The roles of the heroes have changed today, though people still aspire to be like them. Heroes today, just as in Beowulf's time, are made immortal by the written word. While in our day heroes do not literally fight Grendels or dragons, they figuratively fight these battles everyday. Beowulf fought Grendel for his own glory and it seems, more importantly, to make the lives…
In the epic poem Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, the warrior-prince Beowulf portrays each quality required to be an Epic Hero. When Beowulf is challenged, he stands his ground, with his head held high and his mind suffused with pride. He fears nothing and no one. Beowulf’s qualities are above a noble warrior but of an epic hero. His physical strength is shown in the battle against Grendel. Beowulf exposes his ethical aspect when he inquired Hrothgar’s permission to kill Grendel. Beowulf’s quests are always successful by virtue of showing neither weakness nor fear. He is glorified during his battle against Grendel’s mother under the sea, which is virtually impossible. Beowulf died a noble death nevertheless he leaves with the glory of an epic hero.…
Beowulf is an old English poem of heroism, and is noted as the most important piece of literature of that time period. The poem itself consists of over 3000 lines and was composed around the seventh century. The tale is of a heroic warrior that finds himself faced with danger several times during his life. The poem is very suspenseful, in that there are kings, dragons and demons that battle each other for power. During different parts of the poem, you are left to wonder, what is going to happen? Who is to be the victor in the battle? Will Beowulf become a legendary hero? The answer is, yes. Beowulf will be the victor, and along the way, prove what it means to be courageous, have strength, and most important of all, selflessly protect those around him.…
In the Heroic Anglo-Saxon poem ‘Beowulf’ set in the sixth century of Scandinavia, Beowulf, who is considered the hero of the Geats, because of his unselfish decision to fight Grendel for terrorizing and Killing King Hrothgar’s men for 12 years, and Grendel’s mom because she was trying to kill Beowulf for revenge on killing her son and the Dragon, in which were all for the people in the land of the Danes knowing that he might get killed. In 501 ad-600 ad if you unselfishly decided to fight knowing you might get killed you were considered a hero. Al heroes have flaws and Beowulf’s, was that even though he was a hero in the heart he wasn’t in the mind, and in today’s society Beowulf wouldn’t be considered a hero because although he decided to…
Throughout the epic, Beowulf demonstrated his strength as a warrior and a leader. When Grendel arrived at Herot, the other warriors “could not scratch at his skin, for that sin-stained demon had bewitched all men's weapons, laid spells that blunted every mortal man's blade.”(92-94). Beowulf took charge and used his own hands to fight and eventually defeat Grendel since his fellow men could not do so. This conveys how Beowulf was not only physically strong in battle, but how he took charge to defeat Grendel since the others were unable to. Beowulf also took it upon himself to battle Grendel's mother, which was where he utilized “the best of all weapons / But so massive that no ordinary man could lift / Its carved and decorated length. He drew it.”(244-246). Since a normal man would have been unable to life the sword, this event in the text displays how Beowulf is an epic hero. An epic hero is often characterized by possessing an immense amount of strength, which Beowulf had from being able to utilize the sword and defeat Grendel's mother. His strength as a warrior and a leader is what classifies Beowulf as a quintessential epic…
Who is Beowulf, that makes him such a person to be called an Epic Hero? As a mortal human being who was born and raised in Geatland, he lives his life in the poem with greatness in loyalty for himself and his people The fact that he has accomplished many substantial triumphs during his existence, makes it clear on who he really is as a person and as a hero. Throughout the poem, Beowulf does his best to succeed and stay on top of the “ladder”. As he battles against certain monsters, the readers can visualize the actual strength that Beowulf attains. With his honorable skills and morality, Beowulf lives as an Epic hero because of his deeds and endeavors. Without them, of coarse Beowulf would not be considered as a larger-than-life, impressive individual.…
The hero of all heroes, Beowulf, strong and courageous, is the prince of Geats. Once he makes a vow, he stands by his word, no matter what the cost, even if it takes his life. He is reluctant to back down from battle, just so he can be there for the people who are in great need to be saved from evil. He signifies the true heroic character because he is willing to risk his life for his ideals. Beowulf defeats three gruesome monsters, two of whom are descendants of Cain. Beowulf is able to show his characteristics both in his youth and in his older days.…
Most people define a hero as a person who has superior or superhuman strength. Beowulf is “the strongest of the Geats- greater / And stronger” than anyone else in the world (lines 110-111). Saying this shows that if Beowulf cannot defeat Grendel then nobody else can. Beowulf shows how intelligent he is in lines 134-137 when “Beowulf arose with his men / Around him ordering a few to remain / With their weapons”. Beowulf is smart enough to realize that if nobody stays with the weapons somebody will steal them, and they will be left unarmed when a war breaks out. To be considered courageous, a person must face something that would frighten most. Beowulf does just that on numerous occasions in Beowulf. Beowulf faces and conquers Grendel in lines 515-517 “The victory, for the proof, hanging high / From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monsters / Arm, claw and shoulder and all”. The mighty water witch, Grendel’s mother, becomes troubled with the loss of her son and wants revenge on Herot. When she attacks Herot, Beowulf takes action and conquers her in lines 643-645 “Her body fell / To the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet / With her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight”. Some heroes use special powers, or costumes to help them win the fights against the bad guys. However, Beowulf believes in being ethical. He does not want to be…
In the story Beowulf, there was a lot of events that happened. Beowulf helped the people of Herot. One of the events that happened, Beowulf killed Grendel and that wasn't even for his people. Beowulf went out of his way and saved them, that just who Beowulf is. A lot of people have argued about Beowulf being a hero or not. Beowulf risked his own life to protect the danes. He was the only one strong enough to kill Grendel and to take him down. Not only did he kill Grendel but killed Grendel’s mother too. Being a hero is saving one other, standing up for other people and having confidence. Beowulf showed all the signs of being a hero. If it wasn’t for Beowulf,…
Beowulf, the Old-English epic poem, is characteristic of its Nordic-Germanic roots as a tale of a great Scandinavian hero Beowulf, who saves a neighboring kingdom from the wrath of the destructive, blood-thirsty monster, Grendel, and eventually becomes the king of his own people, the Geats. Closely related to modern day tribal and gang customs, it is questioned as to whether Beowulf should be considered a hero. He proves to be a great warrior and protector by killing three terrorizing beasts, a provider by bringing back great treasures from each of his exploits, and faithful by always looking out for his tribe and fighting in their honor. The true question…
Which is better? To be a king or to be a hero? To those who are deeply infatuated with the feeling of complete power and authority, the correct answer is a king. To those who get a thrill from being responsible for the wellbeing of others; or to those who are fascinated by the thought of being a legend and their name going down in history, the correct answer is a hero. Beowulf chose to become the latter of the two previous choices, despite what the population wanted. Beowulf cared more for the heroic image and respect, rather than the initial wealth and status that comes with being a king.…
way. Rather than attacking him with a sword like every other Geat, he grabs onto…
In the epic Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf is depicted as a heroic figure who fights monsters and defends the weak. During its time, Beowulf would be considered a great hero however in today's standards Beowulf would only be considered a great warrior because a hero should value the lives of the people and not seek to be rewarded. Instead, Beowulf committed heroic acts for his own selfish reasons and never shows to values the lives of the people. From fighting Grendel to slaying the dragon, Beowulf only fought because he value the fame and fortune that comes along with those accomplishments.…
Who is your favorite superhero? There are many heroes around us and some we may not know. The very first hero is Beowulf he was a hero to his people and done many good. He was the one who started doing well.…