Epic Hero In Beowulf

An epic hero displays bravery, courage, and strength. An epic hero also wants to achieve immortality through heroic actions. Beowulf can be categorized as a legendary epic hero. There are many things that prove Beowulf is an epic hero in the poem. He proves that he is an epic hero through his heroic actions that occur throughout the poem.

Every epic hero possesses certain heroic characteristics. The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf is the hero. He shows that he is a great man by always putting other things before his own needs. He is important and needed by his people and is known by many as a strong, courageous and a helpful person. He shows all of the qualities and traits that a true hero possesses.

In today’s society, a hero is viewed as someone who embodies the characteristics of selflessness, courage, honesty, and integrity. The same characteristics were essential to be thought of as a hero 3,000 years ago as well. Two of the most widely known epic poems of their time were Beowulf and The Epic of Gilgamesh. Both Beowulf and Gilgamesh embody traits known exclusively of a hero. The poem of Beowulf and The Epic Gilgamesh both showcase the characteristics required of being an epic, in that they include a hero on a quest performing valorous deeds in an elevated style, while being protected by supernatural forces.

An epic hero is a protagonist whose life is a series of well-marked adventures which typically change the hero into a better, more refined person. These heroes are typically characterized by courage, strength, honor, and the hardships they endure and eventually overcome. An epic hero can even be known to risk his or her life for the good of others. Gilgamesh and Achilles are perfect examples of what an epic hero truly is. They are both able to become successful despite their flaws and go on to become powerful men.

“He would sleep in the fire, soon. His soul, left his flesh, flew to glory.” This very quote from the epic Beowulf, sets the tone and very intense qualities of older epics. This specific epic, focuses on the hero and Beowulf, who is the only warrior capable of defeating the vicious villainous creature Grendel, and his mother. Beowulf shares the qualities of many other epic heroes such as showing the nature of being almost superhuman, being the deciding factor in the wellbeing of his people, and showing uncontested bravery no matter the obstacle they must face. In more modern times, the United States Delta Force can be considered an epic heroes based on the sheer values and courage held by its members.

“The whole earth is the tomb of heroic men and their story is not given only on stone over their clay but abides everywhere without visible symbol woven into the stuff of other men’s lives,” said Perculus (PR). You’re born, you live a little, and then you die. There is no simpler way to sum up life. Often times this is done through oral tales, paintings, and various other ways. For those whose lives were truly something great, something memorable, their stories are transcripted into writings. Whether these are simple biographies or symbolic fictional works, stories are often based on someone greater than the writer. These “epic heros” are protagonists that fulfill their potential of greatness through using their bravery, strength and

Winston Churchill once stated “The price of greatness is responsibility.” In any epic story, achieving greatness is an enormous entitlement for any hero,however by having so much responsibility in life and dealing with responsibility very successfully will bring greatness. Beowulf is well-known story, which many readers would say it give tremendous journey of many epic battles with dreadful beasts and also teaches about pride and honor. However, Beowulf encounter many obstacles throughout the story but conquers the challenges in the end, giving this word “epic hero” it's true meaning.

An epic hero, the main character in an epic whose legendary or heroic actions are central to his/her culture, race or nation. (Epic Hero,2015) The six epic heroes, Theseus, Beowulf, Achilles, Heracles, Odysseus,and Gilgamesh all have accomplished heroic acts: some of which are battling an immense monster, having superhuman powers, and being brave and loyal to their people. My goal in this paper is to compare and contact the differences and similarities between the epic heros.

Ironman, Spider-man, and Batman are all extraordinary people who are deemed heroes. Everyday heroes like firefighters or police officers, and fictional heroes such as the ones listed before are illustrated as invincible and a moral example for individuals. However, neither of those characteristics apply to an epic hero. An epic hero is flawed, and because an epic hero possess this quality it is the reason why a person would relate more to him and connect with the written work rather than a superhero. An elementary example of an epic hero, is Odysseus the main character in Homer’s The Odyssey because he goes above and beyond the call of bravery and courage of any normal human being to give sanctuary to his men while trying to get home. The Odyssey divulges the journey home Odysseus must make after fighting in the Trojan War; Little does he know that his own hubris will cause this short trip from Troy to Ithaca, to prolong into a twenty year voyage. The characteristics he manifest while facing adversities, his guile, and his tenacious desire to get home to his family is what makes him an epic hero in literature.

Someone who possesses the qualities of an epic hero is a very brave and loyal individual whose excellence deserves to be recognized. In the poem The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is the king of Ithaka who embarks on his journey home after being away in the Trojan War for ten years. He is a perfect example of one who possesses epic hero qualities. His skills are evident when he tricks a Kyklops by lying about his name, when he continues on his journey after being living lavishly for several years, and also when he remains strong and perseveres after a deadly storm. Odysseus faces many challenges, but manages to overcome them because of his epic hero qualities of strategic intelligence, independence, and courageousness.

An epic is a poem about a hero’s journey and how a hero becomes a hero. Some heroic qualities include have courage, being and leader, being brave, having patience, and being wise. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus will become a hero. He starts out with a big head and with many flaws but by the end he will become a wiser less flawed man.

A hero who faces a call to action; a king calls for the hero who can protect Herot from Grendel. A hero who is tested to prove himself; this hero proves himself worthy by fighting Grendel and his mother, fighting in wars, acquiring the throne, and the embark of defeating the dragon. A hero who is guided and in the presence of his companions; Hrothgar, Wiglaf, and his men by his side. A hero who faces low points; by not using his bronze, but only using his hands and brains. A hero who follows the Hero Myth Cycle by Joseph Campbell is indeed an epic hero, following the traits of their guidance through the story; Beowulf is an epic hero by following the myth cycle through his tale, as well as following his flaw, restitution, and resurrection.

Epic heroes are larger than life characters in epic poems who embody honorable traits representative of their societies. In the epics Beowulf, Gilgamesh, the Iliad, and the Odyssey, there are five characters from English and greek literature who each are considered to be epic heroes in their own ways. These heroes are Beowulf, Gilgamesh, Achilles, Hector, and Odysseus. Despite these epic heroes originating in different cultures, the characters follow archetypal patterns, are similar in many ways, and each embodies important traits that are representative of their various cultures.

An epic poem is a long writing that tells about a hero’s journeys and battles with gods and mythical creatures. An epic hero is someone with all of the characteristics valued in that time period. In the epic Beowulf, recorded around 1000 AD, a noble named Beowulf fought monster for the glory and admiration of his victories to be known throughout time. Beowulf is an epic hero because of his descent into the underworld, his super human strength, and his vengefulness.

An epic hero is a person in a story who comes in and saves the day. An example of an epic hero is the character Beowulf in the epic “Beowulf,”, translated by Burton Raffel. At this time, the Anglo-Saxons were scared of the unknown disasters and evil in their lives. The were afraid of invasions, natural disasters, monsters, and the unknown.