An Essay On Beowulf By Seamus Heaney

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In the epic poem Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney; the protagonist Beowulf is a hero “whose name was known for courage,” (340) and who travels across “the swan’s road and search out that king, / The famous prince who needed defenders,” (199-201). Beowulf knows he will have to come face to face with a beast he hasn’t met yet. However, Beowulf is not afraid, his purpose in life is to serve others in any way possible even if he has to pay the ultimate sacrifice to do so. These qualities make Beowulf a hero. Unlike Grendel “a powerful demon” (86), who is part of “Cain’s clan” (106) whose ultimate goal is to terrorize the Danes by any means possible. Grendel has been outlawed by the creator, so he spends time “haunting the marches” (103) and

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