Beowulf Essay, Research Paper

Beowulf, an epic poem, describes a most herioc man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is seemingly an invincible person with all of his extraordinary traits required to be a hero. He is able to use his super-human phyiscal strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters hideous monsters and the most ferocious of beasts, but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are superb and he is even left time to boast about all of his achievements. Beowulf is the ultimate hero who risks his life countless times for immortal glory and for the good and decency of others.

Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men and companions through his amazing phyiscal strength. He fought in numerous battles and returned victorious in all of them except his tradgic lat battle. When he was arging with Unferth, Beowulf explains the swimming match he “lost” with his youthful opponent Brecca. He had not only been swimming for seven strenuous nights, but he had also stopped to kill nine gruesome nicors or sea creatures in the depths of the ocean. Beowulf is aslo strong enough to kill the monster Grendel, who has been terroizing the Danes for twelve years, with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel’s mother, who is seeking revenge on her sons death, he is able to slay her, by slashing the monsters neck with a Giant’s sword that can only be lifted by a beasts as strong as Beowulf. When he chops off her head he carries it to from the sea with ease, but it takes four other men to lift it and take it back to Herot mead hall. His key attritubute, towards heriosm, is his strength.

Another of Beowulf’s herioc traits is his ability to put his peoples welfare befroe his own, showing his unselfishness. Beowulf’s uncle is the king of the Geats so he is sent as an emissary to help rid the Danes of the evul beast Grendel. Asking help from no-one, Beowulf risks his own life for the Danes. He realizes the dangers, but fears nothing for his own life. Beowulf served his people for fifty years as the king of the Geats, and goes to battle one last time to fight the feriocus dragon, who is frightening all of his people. Being old and tired Beowulf defeats the dragon in order to help his people. Even in death he wihed so secure safety for the Geats so a tall lighthouse is built in order to help the people find ther way back from the mysterious and dark sea.

The most herioc trait that Beowulf has is that he has no fear to die. Before going into every battle, he explains his death wishes and requests to have any assests delivered to his people. “And if death inheirtance I had from Hrehtel, and from Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must!” He is aware of the herioc paradox; he will glorifired in life or death for his actions. He knows when he fights a foe like Grendel or Grendel’s mother he will achieve immortalityas the victor or the loser. “When we crossed the sea, my comrades and I, I already knew that all my purpose was this: to win the good will of your people or die in battle, pressed in Grendel’s fierce grip. Let me live in greatness and courage or here in this hall welcome my death!” In considering the enormous ammount of confidence beowulf possesses, he understands that fate or wyrd will work its magic no matter what happens and he could be killed at any point in his life. He faces that reality by showing no fear snd preparing for a postive or a fatal outcome.

Beowulf is a prime example of an epic hero. His bravery and strength surpass all mortal men; loyalty and the ability to think of himself last makes him reveared by all. Beowulf came openly and whole heatred to help the Danes which is an unusual occurence in a time of war and widespred fear. He set a noble example for all human beings relaying the neccessity of brotherhood and friendship. Beowulf is most definitly an epic hero and of epic proportions.