Beowulf is a Hero Beowulf is the classic example of a modern hero. He exhibits all traits a hero should have. Throughout his epic poem, Beowulf constantly performs acts of bravery. The readers get to learn about his undeniable strength, too. He is also very loyal to the people that he loves and respects. Beowulf’s bravery, strength, and loyalty present him as a hero. Beowulf showed he was a brave hero from youth to death. He always puts his life in the face of danger in order to protect innocent people. Beowulf even tells the Queen of Danes “This was my thought, when my thanes and I/ bent to the ocean and entered our boat,/ that I would work the will of your people/ fully, or fighting fall in death,” (Beowulf, Chp 9). Beowulf was actually willing to die in order to save others. Bravery is making serious sacrifices that may hurt, but will be worth it in the end. Beowulf showed bravery by continually sacrificing his life. …show more content…
The reader sees this strength when he battles with Grendel. Grendel took on groups of soldiers with weapons and he still won. Beowulf strength helped him conquer Grendel with no weapons or other soldiers. In the story, it was said “—he has thirty men’s/ heft of grasp in the gripe of his hand, / the bold-in-battle.” (Beowulf, Chp 6) This meant he had the strength of thirty men in his one body. The reader also sees his strength when he spends most of a day swimming to Grendel’s mom’s lair to take revenge. Also, he shows strength in his old age by killing the dragon while he himself is dying. Strength is very important in a hero; not only physical, but mental and emotional. Beowulf portrayed all three strengths as a
Countless people have tried to say that Beowulf represents the qualities required of an epic hero, but many people also suggest that Beowulf does not show any of these qualities. While Beowulf shows heroic characteristics in all of his acts, both pride and greed motivate his actions. The story of Beowulf contains all of the information needed to show this, but people do not notice that which they do not want to see.
One example of Beowulf’s strengths was no other man could do the same tasks, and fight the battles he fought. Beowulf goes into many battles throughout his lifetime. Also, the quote in line 505-506 “If weapons were useless he’d use his hands, the strength in his fingers”. Beowulf also lifts the giant forged sword from the wall and swings it hard enough to cut of Grendel’s mothers head. A sword that is described as “so massive that no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated lengths.
First of all, in the epic poem “Beowulf”, Beowulf substantiates that he is courageous, has strength, and is honorable. Beowulf demonstrates his courage through the battles he is fighting and his men. None of his men are willing to go out or join Beowulf during the battles. This can be seen when Beowulf is fighting his last battle and none of his men give him a helping hand, “None of his comrades Came to him, helped him, his brave and noble Followers; they ran for their lives, fled deep in a wood”. This went in account for Beowulf’s courageousness. Moreover, Beowulf has astronomical amount of strength, and Beowulf’s Battle against Grendel said it all. This goes to accommodation when Beowulf has to use his bare hands, “And was instantly seized himself, claws bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm…nowhere on earth had he met a man whose hands were harder… his shoulder snapped, muscle and bone split and broke”. So to be able to give Grendel fear and break his
Being a hero can be defined many different ways. Several qualities like courage, respect, and strength can define heroism. A hero is noted for his or her actions for being brave, powerful, and acting with honor. In the epic poem, Beowulf, the main character Beowulf shows all of these characteristics by defending the Danish king, Hrothgar, and his people. He is a true hero by honoring his country and exerting his power and strength to protect others. Beowulf embodies the qualities of bravery, being powerful, and demonstrating his honor; therefore, he can be considered a true hero.
Beowulf’s strength is exemplified many times in the story. Beowulf was said to have “the strength of thirty men in his mighty handgrip.” He fought in numerous battles and returned victorious from all but his last. In his argument with Unferth, Beowulf explains the reason he lost a swimming match with his opponent Brecca. Not only had Beowulf been swimming for seven nights, he had also stopped to kill nine sea creatures in the depths of the ocean. Beowulf is also strong enough to kill the monster Grendel with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel’s mother, he is able to slay her by slashing the monster’s neck with a giant sword that can only be lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf. When he chops off her head, he carries it from the ocean with no difficulty, but it takes four men to lift and carry it back to Heorot. This strength is a key trait of Beowulf’s heroism.
Beowulf demonstrates a supernatural amount of strength throughout the epic. Beowulf defeats many monsters with his strength. “The tears torn out of Grendel’s / taunt throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms / of him who all of the men on earth / was the strongest” (Beowulf 469-472). This quote demonstrates that Beowulf is able to out power any monster
Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physical strength. He fought in numerous battles and returned victorious
Beowulf is a hero, and we all know a hero when we see one. There are many traits and characteristics that make someone a hero. These traits and characteristics are more expressed in ancient epics and poems. Beowulf is one of the most famous ancient Anglo-Saxon poems still taught to this day in schools and colleges all over the world. The story starts off of how a man by the name of Beowulf receives news that a neighboring land is being terrorized by a monster named Grendel. Beowulf shows several characteristics of here such as, bravery, loyalty, generosity, friendship, and showing a high level of intellect. Beowulf first shows his heroic character through his bravery while journeying on his epic quest. There are several cases where he is not afraid, and instead of being frightened, he shows great bravery. An example of from the poem is, “Instead, they inspected omens and spurred his ambitions to go, whilst he moved about like the leader he was, enlisting men, the best he could find; with fourteen others the warrior boarded the boast as captain” (Beowulf 205-210). This quote gives proof of his bravery because he was the head of the group leading his men. Beowulf proves that even he himself must be brave in order to lead the bravest of men into battle.
Not only had Beowulf been swimming for seven nights, he had also stopped to kill nine sea creatures in the depths of the ocean. Beowulf is also strong enough to kill the monster Grendel with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel's mother, he is able to slay her by slashing the monster's neck with a giant sword that can only be lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf. When he chops off her head, he carries it from the ocean with no difficulty, but it takes four men to lift and carry it back to Heorot. This strength is a key trait of Beowulf's heroism.
Beowulf was a man of admirable exploits. He had the strength of thirty men in his arms, and would use this strength to aid anyone in need. Upon hearing of the plight of Grendel and the ill happenings in Hrothgar’s kingdom, Beowulf
In the epic poem, Beowulf truly exhibits bravery and courage. There is no doubt that Beowulf is a brave man. As soon as Beowulf is summoned by Hrothgar, he doesn’t hesitate to take up the challenge to battle with Grendel. Beowulf is valiant as he said,“ my hands alone shall fight for me” (Beowulf 38). He intends to fight Grendel with his bare hands not knowing what the outcome will be. Beowulf is willing to risk his life for others which makes him courageous and brave of them all. As a young warrior, Beowulf has proven
Beowulf shows unhuman like strength throughout the poem, one place it is especially called out and noticed is in the following quote. “lifted the sword that was so massive that no ordinary man could lift.” This shows that Beowulf was not expected to have been this strong. Even Grendel, his opponent notices his strength and knows it will be a fair and good fight. Beowulf defeats Grendel without even thinking twice, Grendel had never been defeated by a mortal and is astonished by Beowulf’s abilities.
Strength is without a doubt one of the most important traits which a hero should possess and the Anglo-Saxon’s felt the same way. Beowulf’s strength can be compared to that of the American comic book heroes, Superman and Batman, for he is deemed the “strongest and greatest of the Geats”. The first time that his strength is witnessed, not just spoken of, is when he kills Grendel by ripping the monstrous villain’s arm off. But his most notable display of strength occurs when he enters into combat with Grendel’s mother. When everything seems to be going all wrong for Beowulf, he spies a “heavy” sword hanging on the wall of her lair. With all his power and might, Beowulf drew the sword, “hammered by giants...and….so massive that no ordinary man could life it”, from its scabbard. He “lifts it high over his head”, the sword clasped
Beowulf's Heroic qualities are loyalty and strength. Beowulf is a fierce warrior and is the greatest hero of all time. Beowulf is a hero after fighting off Grendel and prevented him from killing hrothgar's men. Beowulf shows his loyalty and heroic qualities by putting others needs before his own. Beowulf shows his courage and fearlessness throughout the poem.
Beowulf shows his heroism as a king and a warrior. Beowulf is a strong warrior with dignity He fought a dragon and two other creatures . He sacrificed himself for his people, but he left them without anyone to defend them. There are many characters that are presented as heroes for example Iron Man. He has been in many Marvel movies, he has been described as someone who is always there for the people.