Beowulf Essay, Research Paper

Within the first piece of written literature known to man during the early Middle Ages comes a character which exemplifies the characteristics of a hero. A hero possesses certain qualities which include the desire to help others, bravery, courtesy, courage, superhuman feats, and the ability to boast about his accomplishments. According to English tradition, this hero?s name is Beowulf. Within the epic poem ?Beowulf? there is clear evidence that Beowulf exemplifies the qualities of a hero which are the desire to help others, bravery, courtesy, courage, super human feats, and the ability to boast about his accomplishments.

Beowulf possesses the qualities of the desire to help others, courtesy, and the ability to boast about his accomplishments which proves he is a hero. First of all, Beowulf lives in the land of the Geats. He hears from others that Hrothgar, the leader of the Danes, is having problems with a monster killing off his men for the past twelve years. Beowulf goes to the king of the Geats, Higlac and asks him to let him take some of the best men and go over to the land of the Danes to help fight this monster. This proves that Beowulf possesses the desire to help others. Furthermore, when Beowulf arrives in the land of the Danes he shows his courtesy by praising Hrothgar of his noble birth and telling how brave Hrothgar is for his victories in battle. Beowulf further shows his courtesy when he leaves all his weapons on the shore of the land of the Danes to make sure the Danes know that he comes in peace. Beowulf does leave some of his men by his ships to protect them. Beowulf does everything that Hrothgar?s men ask to show his courtesy. This proves Beowulf is a hero as he possesses the quality of courtesy. Lastly, Bewulf shows how he has the quality of a hero in his boasting to Hrothgar. When Beowulf first meets Hrothgar he tells him how his youth has been filled with glory and that his people told him he must go and help Hrothgar as he is a great soldier. He drove five great giants into chains, chased all of that race from the earth, and swam out of the ocean killing them one by one. This proves that Beowulf possesses the qualitites of a hero as he is able to boast proudly about all his accomplishments. Beowulf certainly possesses the qualities of a hero with his desire to help others, his courtesy, and the ability to boast as well as other qualities of a hero.

Beowulf further possesses the qualities of a hero during the Anglo-Saxon times as he shows real bravery and courage. Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he will fight the monster, Grendel, to the end to save Hrothgar?s mead hall and his men. Beowulf explains to Hrothgar that he will fight the monster without any weapons and with out any help, proving his bravery and courage. Futhermore, when Grendel comes again to the Mead Hall as all the men are sleeping, Hrothgar sees him and stops his men from helping him. He battles the monster himself and tears off the monster?s arm. The monster runs back to the sea to die, and Beowulf hangs his arm in the hall to show that they have won. Grendel?s mother comes to the hall to get revenge for his son?s death. Beowulf takes a magic sword given to him by Unferth to battle Grendel?s mother. Beowulf goes into the deep sea, finds Grendel?s mother and with superhuman strength, bravery, and courage he kills her. This certainly proves Beowulf has real bravery and courage which heros of the times possesses.

The last quality of a hero is the ability to perform super human feats. Beowulf performs super human feats along with his courage, his bravery, and his desire to help others. When Beowulf fights Grendel he does this without using any weapons only his bare hands. He pulls the monster?s arm right out of its socket, a super human feat. Plus, when battling Grendel?s mother, Beowulf goes under the waters of the sea to find the monster?s mother and to kill her with a magic sword. He completes this feat with super human strength. Lastly, Beowulf returns to his own land after helping Hrothergar and becomes king of the Geats. He rules for many years. When he is an old man, his land is ruined by a fire dragon. This dragon has a great treasure which it is protecting. Beowulf goes out to fight this dragon to protect his people even though he is too old. While fighting the fire dragon with his sword, the dragon cuts Beowulf at the neck. But Beowulf fights back and ends up killing the dragon with one blow of his sword. He cuts the dragon right in half. The killing of this fire dragon uses super human feats, courage, and bravery which definitely shows that Beowulf has hero qualities. To show his honor and concern for others, Beowulf?s last request is that the treasure of the fire dragon be given to his people and that a monument be built to show all other sailors the safe way home. This last request certainly shows Beowulf is a real hero of the Middle Ages.

Repeat thesis – summarize by using all the beginning or opening sentences and a simple example . Then end with Beowulf proves that heros must have certain qualities to gain the title of ?hero?.

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