Why Is Beowulf An Epic Hero

Beowulf is an epic hero for many reasons. A few of Beowulf’s characteristics that make him an epic hero are strength, honor, and the ability to rule justly. Beowulf is also an epic hero because, he defeated Grendel, Grendel’s mother and helped defeated the dragon. Last but not least Beowulf is a hero because he is brave/ bold. These are just a few examples of many possessions that Beowulf contains that make him one epic hero. Beowulf is an epic hero because he has strength,honor, and the ability to rule justly. An example of beowulf’s strength is his ability to take off Grendel's arm and his ability to contend with Grendel's mother. An amazing quote from the book are lines 443-450, this quote “I have heard moreover that the monster scorns in his reckless way to use weapons; therefore, to heighten Hygelac's fame and gladden his heart, I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fiend.” Even after killing grendel he went back and cut off its head with the giant-forged sword. An example of Beowulf’s honor is his commitment to fighting Grendel in the “ hand- to - hand combat” … without any weapons. Beowulf also shows his respect to the code

He is brave/ bold because he does all these heroic things that nobody else is willing to step up and take the place of doing it. Even though Beowulf knows he will probably lose family, ( which he doesn't have much of ) he still goes and fights. Beowulf is very brave because he nearly kills himself doing this. “Grendel is no braver, no stronger than I am! I could kill him with my sword; I shall not, easy as it would be. This fiend is a bold and famous fighter, but his claws and teeth… beating at my sword blade, would be helpless. I will meet him with my hands empty-unless his heart fails him, seeing a soldier waiting weaponless, unafraid. Let God in his