In order to determine whether Beowulf is a hero, we need to look at how a hero is viewed in the poem's time. Within the tale of "Beowulf" four character traits can be found which define the Anglo Saxon Hero. The first trait is loyalty, as can be seen by the warrior's relationship with their lords. A proof to that can be seen by the way Beowulf is introduced: not by his name, but by "Hygelac's thane" (line 194). The second characteristic is strength. Upon Beowulf's arrival to the Danes land, when the watch-man describes him, He says "Nor have I seen / a mightier man... unless I am mistaken, / he is truly noble" (lines 247-250). It is obvious that the watch-man is impressed with his might and concludes from his look only that he his noble. The third trait is courage, which is given as a reason for Shield Sheafson's greatness (line 2). The last trait is the notion of fame, what will be remembered of a warrior after his death. When Beowulf introduces himself to the watch-man, he speaks of his father. "All over the world / men wise in counsel continue to remember him" (lines 265-266). The proof that Ecgtheow was such a great and noble character is the fact that even these days wise men still speaks of him.
As he introduces himself to Hrothgar, Beowulf presents each and every on of this qualities. We can see that he is loyal to his lord, by his description of himself as "Hygelac's kinsman, / one of his hall-troop" (lines 407-408). He is first and foremost, a warrior to Hygelac. He later on says that one of the reasons why he would fight Grendel (other than helping the Danes) is "to heighten Hygelac's fame / and gladden his heart" (lines 435-436). He is fighting for the name of his lord and not to gain personal recognition. He then goes on describing his strength. First, he proves his might by stating "When I was younger, / I had great triumphs" (lines 408-409). He gives Hrothgar a reason why he is justified to fight Grendel. Even in his younger days, when he was probably weaker, he already made a name for himself as a great warrior. "All knew of my awesome ...I have suffered extremes and avenged the Gates" (lines 218-223). He believes that his strength is a match to Grendel's (line 425).
Ernest Gaines novel, A Lesson Before Dying, is a story about, Jefferson, a black man who is wrongfully charged with a crime he did not commit. He cannot get a fair trial because he is a black man in the south. He is sentenced to be executed, but before he dies Grant, an educated black man, teaches him how to walk like a man, so people do not think of him as a hog. "Beowulf" is an epic poem over one thousand years old, which was told from one generation to another. It is about, Beowulf, a great hero who defeats three different monsters to save the kingdom. In his last battle he is much older than before and is killed by a dragon. A hero does something that other people do not do and he does things for others, and other people look to a hero for guidance.
direction is like trying to hit a cloud with a bow and arrow. A hero is also
Beowulf exhibits many obvious heroic qualities, such as his strength and confidence in battle. These along with more subtle diplomatic actions serve to define him as both a great warrior and leader.
His bravery and physical strength needed to kill this evil being makes him a great warrior and an even better literary hero. When the Hrothgar’s men attempted to kill Grendel, they were unsuccessful. Although he saw other men die to this monster he did not let that scare him off. This is when Beowulf felt it was necessary for him to intervene and take charge. When Grendel came to attack Heorot Hall Beowulf was there waiting for him. Beowulf stood up for the Hrothgar’s men and accomplished what they couldn’t in order to make everyone safer. Although he faced a plethora of obstacles he did not give up he stood strong and saved many people by doing so. During the battle Beowulf wrestled Grendel to the ground. Beowulf proceeded to rip Grendel’s arm from his shoulder and hang it from the ceiling. Grendel then fled away from Beowulf into the wilderness where he then died. This proved to Beowulf that Grendel may be strong but he will never be as brave. Grendel was an evil monster who wanted nothing good to happen to the people and Beowulf prevented any more murders by Grendel from happening. He saved the lives of many people by accomplishing this heroic and honorable
There are several heroic characteristics, all of which Beowulf possesses. First of these characteristics is honor. Honor is showing a sense of integrity in one’s actions. When Beowulf went to the land of the Danes to kill Grendel, he did it not because he wanted money, but because he wanted to help out the Geats. Beowulf felt as if it was the right thing to do since he had been successful in past deeds which he proudly says in lines 321-322, where he says “They had in remembrance my courage and might. Many had seen me come safe from the conflict,”. Beowulf expected no reward for his action, but rather just being able to “put another notch in his belt.”
Beowulf: The Selfless Hero Beowulf is an epic poem that describes the heroics of a man with superhuman strength and bravery to go with it. The poem starts with a journey across the sea to defeat an enemy that has plagued the land of Herot for twelve years. The poem ends with Beowulf’s final deed of defeating a dragon that was plaguing his own land, but with the defeat of the dragon also comes the death of Beowulf. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a poem of bravery by one of King Arthur’s knights. Sir Gawain takes up the deed of playing a Christmas game with the challenging Green Knight.
In the poem, Beowulf fights against Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the Dragon which Beowulf is very brave for doing. In addition to Beowulf's bravery once he defeats Grendel’s Mother, he waits fifty years to fight the Dragon when he is seventy years of age. Beowulf is a great hero because he possesses the quality of bravery. Beowulf is also a hero because while he was fighting the dragon, all his men except for Wiglaf abandoned him, he continued to fight the dragon even though he knew he was in grave danger. “His weapon had failed him, deserted him, now when he needed it most, that excellent sword. Edgetho’s famous son stared at death, unwilling to leave his world, to exchange it for a dwelling in some place--a journey into darkness that all men must make, as death ends their few brief hours on earth(734-741)”. Even though the dragon fatally wounded Beowulf, all of his men still looked up to him as a great noble and courageous warrior who did not back down to any
In Beowulf the poem, Beowulf is considered to be an epic hero, he is different than just a regular hero. At the time, except for the King, warriors were the most honored and respected. Throughout this poem the author expresses that Beowulf is a true epic hero. What makes an epic hero? An epic hero must undertake a quest to achieve something tremendous value to his nation, must be super-human, and protects his people and their ideals. Beowulf is one of the greatest warriors of all time to protect his nation and people, he is a perfect candidate of an epic hero.
A hero can not simply be defined as someone who has outstanding qualities and abilities, a hero also has distinguished courage and is admired for having these aspects of their character for brave and noble acts. An Anglo-Saxon hero is a person who has tremendous leadership qualities, is able and willing to provide people with a sense of security, and is willing to go into danger despite possible harm to themselves. All of these qualities is what distinguished Beowulf above others by doing a good for the greater of everyone. He is someone who is willing to put their own lives on the line for the benefit of others. Beowulf the epic hero can be described simply by these three traits,
The story of Beowulf is incontrovertibly a story of greatness. There was a time when no man was superior to this awesome man. Beowulf led a remarkable life, one that was polarized between his early years of prosperity and virtue and his later years of prosperity, virtue, and downfall.
What does it mean to be a hero? Like anything else in this world, the definition of the word hero can be argued. Some may say that a hero can be passive, that is if he or she refrains from doing a certain action it makes them heroic. Others would argue that to be truly heroic the character must never turn tail and always face the obstacle head on even though he or she may die in the process. So is Beowulf a hero? Yes, Beowulf is a great epic hero, but his greatness comes only from his sword and not from his mind.
An epic is a long narrative poem on a serious subject. It usually is about
In Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf is shown as a hero with extrodinary strength. This is not what makes him a hero. By definition, a hero is a man of exceptional quality. However this term does not do Beowulf justice. His self-imposed purpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his own life in doing so. Beowulf’s battle with the dragon serves as a critique of the notion that Beowulf is a hero. The Dragon section displays many of Beowulf’s heoric characteristics. Beowulf establishes himself as a hero by fighting the dragon, exemplifing strength and courage when fighting the dragon, and sacrificing himself so that others can live.
At the beginning of the novel, Beowulf represents a savage warrior, displaying mostly his strength and bravery by defeating Grendel and his mother. However, as Beowulf ages, he begins to change into a different kind of hero. After becoming King of the Geats, Beowulf matured and took on more of a leadership role in the community, as opposed to a warrior. Even though Beowulf was still a hero, he began to lead an army of geats and acted for the good of the people. In both cases however, Beowulf was respected by others for his admirable
Beowulf is a great warrior, portrayed by his strength, courage, and bravery. Beowulf also exemplifies the manner and values dictated by the Germanic heroic code. He is considered to be both a warrior and a king. When Beowulf encounters the dragon, the responsibilities of being king are thrown. He must act for the good of his people, not just for his own glory. Throughout the poem, Beowulf holds a good reputation and is respected by the people.