Beowulf Essay Essay, Research Paper

Mighty Mouse one can have many different forms of heroes. But Anglo-Saxons had adifferent idea of what a hero should be. Their hero did not shoot spiderwebs or flythrough the air. Instead he was a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinarytraits required of a hero. Beowulf is the ultimate hero of Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put hispeople before himself. He encounters hideous monsters and the most ferocious beasts buthe never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are superb and he is even able toboast about all his achievements. He does this not by bragging but by just simply statingthe facts. He doesn’t need to brag because of the awesome feats his is able to overcome. This is why Beowulf is the ultimate hero in Anglo-Saxon times. Also, Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physicalstrength. He fought in numerous battles and returned victorious from all but his last. Inhis argument with Unferth, Beowulf explains the reason he “lost” a simple swimmingmatch with his youthful opponent Brecca. Not only had Beowulf been swimming forseven 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, who has been terrorizing theDanes for twelve years, with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. When Beowulf isfighting Grendel’s mother, who is seeking revenge on her son’s death, he is able to slay herby slashing the monster’s neck with a Giant’s sword that can only be lifted by a person asstrong as Beowulf. When he chops off her head, he carries it from the ocean with ease,but it takes four men to lift and carry it back to Herot mead-hall. This strength is a keytrait of Beowulf’s heroism. Then another heroic trait of Beowulf is his ability to put his peoples welfare beforehis own. Beowulf’s uncle is king of the Geats so he is sent as an emissary to help rid theDanes of the evil Grendel. Beowulf risks his own life for the Danes, asking help from no

one. He realizes the dangers but fears nothing for his own life. After Beowulf had servedhis people as King of the Geats for fifty years, he goes to battle one last time to fight ahorrible dragon who is frightening all of his people. Beowulf is old and tired but hedefeats the dragon in order to protect his people. Even in death he wished to secure safetyfor the Geats so a tall lighthouse is built in order to help the people find their way backfrom sea. And lastly, the most heroic of traits within Beowulf is that he is not afraid to die. He always explains his death wishes before going into battle and requests to have anyassets delivered to his people. “And if death does take me, send the hammered mail of myarmor to Higlac, return the inheritance I had from Hrehtel, and from Wayland. Fate willunwind as it must!” He is aware of the heroic contradiction; he will be glorified in life ordeath for his actions. He knows that when he fights an enemy like Grendel or Grendel’smother he will achieve immortality as 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 ofyour people or die in battle, pressed in Grendel’s fierce grip. Let me live in greatness andcourage, or here in this hall welcome my death!” Even with the enormous amount ofconfidence Beowulf possesses, he understands that Fate will work its magic no matterwhat and he could be killed at any point in his life. He faces that reality by showing nofear and preparing for a positive or a fatal outcome. Beowulf is the ultimate hero of Anglo-Saxon times. His bravery and strengthsurpass all mortal men; loyalty and the ability to think of himself last makes him adored byall. Beowulf came openly and wholeheartedly to help the Danes which was an unusualoccurrence in a time of war and wide-spread fear. He set an extraordinary example for allhuman beings relaying the need of brotherhood and friendship. Although he cannot shootspiderwebs or fly, Beowulf is most definitely an epic hero of epic proportions.