Beowulf Is Not A Hero Analysis

Beowulf hero or not?
Thou Hrothgar, hail! Hygelac's I, – kinsman and follower. Fame a plenty – have I gained in youth! (”Beowulf”408-410) Francis B. Gummere the author of the epic “Beowulf”, which tells the tale of a hero. For a story that’s supposed to be told about a hero Beowulf’s actions are not the case with many hero’s and maybe for Anglo-Saxon culture, but Beowulf cannot be considered as a hero in modern times. Beowulf is not a modern hero or a hero that would be accepted in today’s society. Beowulf is not a hero because of his lack of morals and compassion, Beowulf not believing in his own men, and Beowulf’s constant need to be the best or accepted by many.
For a hero Beowulf lacks a lot of morals and compassion. This is shown here

from Beowulf’s point of view:
Eagerly watched
Hygelac’s kinsman his cursed foe, how he would fare in fell attack.

Not that the monster was minded to pause!
Straightway he seized a sleeping warrior
For the first, and tore him fiercely asunder,
The bone-frame bit, drank blood in streams,
Swallowed him piecemeal: swiftly thus
The lifeless corse was clear devoured,
e'en feet and hands. (“Beowulf” 737-746)
Beowulf had no compassion he did not try to save his fellow comrade at all when he could. From Beowulf’s point of view again, he is strolling through the surveying the hall:
For now prone he saw
Grendel stretched there, spent with war,
Spoiled of life, so scathed had left him
Heorot's battle. The body sprang far
When after death it endured the blow,
Sword-stroke savage, that severed its head. (“Beowulf” 1561-1595)
Beowulf had no remorse cutting Grendel’s head and Grendel was already dead so cutting off his head was over kill. Furthermore, where Beowulf lacks morals in the same way he is strongly in disbelief of his fellow man’s

abilities.
One thing that stands out with heroes today they believe in the ability of others while Beowulf does not believe in his followers capabilities and he looks down upon them. This is seen when he comes to Hoerot with his team of warriors. Grendel now, / monster cruel, be mine to quell / in single battle! (“Beowulf” 425-427). Beowulf comes to Heorot with his best men, as said on line 417, but fight Grendel on his own. When Beowulf has spoken before the king disapproval of his men’s abilities is shown.
Fain, I ween, if the fight he win,
In this hall of gold my Geatish band
Will he fearless eat,—as oft before,
My noblest thanes. (“Beowulf” 443-44.)
If he thinks that even his noblest men will die if he does what was the point in bringing them.

Beowulf does not believe in his men stating he came to Hoerot so he could face Grendel and that his men stand no chance if he does not.
Most heroes do things for the great or good not be the best or to be accepted by many. However when Beowulf is confronted with someone telling him he is not best he gloats on past tribulation:
Not a whit from me
Could he float afar o'er the flood of waves,
Haste o'er the billows; nor him I abandoned.
Together we twain on the tides abode
Five nights full till the flood divided us, (“Beowulf” 542-546).
Beowulf is so competitive that he spends five night in raging sea almost killing his life to prove that he is better than someone. To be accepted by Hrothgar he begins talking about himself. "Thou Hrothgar, hail! Hygelac's I, / kinsman and follower. Fame a plenty / have I gained in youth! (“Beowulf” 408-410.”) Beowulf is very self-absorbed and thinks him boasting is the best way to be known. Beowulf awaits 5 nights in cold sea not for the intention of helping people, but just to prove a point and he could have told Hrothgar he wanted to help but he had to tell him how infamous he was as a

child.