Beowulf Hero Analysis

In the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf, whose author is unknown, many qualities of an epic hero are located within the confines of the protagonist. The main character, known as Beowulf, travels to Denmark in order to earn infinite glory in his king’s name. Doing so, he embarks on multiple quests to achieve holiness in the surrounding lands of Sweden. While in Denmark, Beowulf exhibits many traits of an Anglo-Saxon hero through his achievements in battle. During the course epic poem, Beowulf actions exemplify qualities of leadership, superhuman strength, and immense courage.

One such example of Beowulf’s heroic qualities attribute to his leadership towards his followers. For instance, he “arose with his men around him, ordering a few to remain

An example of this is located when Beowulf is boasting to Unferth, stating that he “drove great Giants from into chains, chased all of that race from the earth” (Beowulf 29). He goes on later to say he also “swam into the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean” (Beowulf 29). These examples show that he willingly accepts adventure in dangerous situations, and fights in the midst of danger, even when compromising his own safety. For instance, Beowulf alone killed Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and with the aid of Wiglaf, the dragon. Before any of these battles, he states that “death was [his] errand, and the fate they had earned” (Beowulf 29). This statement shows his acceptance of death if he is unable to defeat the monsters, alluding to his exceptional courage in battle. Although Beowulf completes these tasks to earn infinite fame and glory, Harold Bloom states that “his hero’s virtues have nothing to do with salvation, and everything to do with warlike courage”(Bloom 7). Because of this, many see Beowulf’s duties are seen as courageous, rather than something of a duty. In the words of Jacqueline Vaught, she states that “Beowulf’s attitude is praiseworthy, whereas Grendel’s is not… The distinction is that which we regularly make between the reckless courage of the criminal who has abandoned all hope and whose actions are purely selfish and the selfless courage of the hero who places the good he is defending before his instinct and self preservation” (Vaught). Her statement reflects the courage found within the epic hero, and the definitive comparison towards Beowulf’s opposing character, Grendel. To summarize, many of Beowulf’s actions when confronted with dangerous tasks and his acceptance of fate show readers courage, making him a prime example of an epic