Beowulf Phenomenal Strength

The phenomenal strength and endurance of an epic hero manifests in the character of Beowulf throughout the Anglo-Saxon poem, Beowulf. For example, Beowulf brags to Hrothgar and his men of defeating several sea monsters and later dismembers a monstrous demon named Grendel along with killing his mother. To top that all off, in his dotage, he even defeats a mighty, fire-breathing dragon. Not only does he show powerful strength, but he shows a great amount of courage as well. The obstacles and battles of monsters and war are challenges that Beowulf is never hesitant to take on. These heroic properties of bravery, strength, and benevolence show that Beowulf is one of the most quintessential examples of an epic hero.

An important aspect of an epic hero would be his valor. A true hero must be brave in the face of danger in order to protect himself and the people around him. When Beowulf hears the stories of a human-slayer named Grendel, he is brave in leaving his homeland to go out and kill the ferocious demon. Not only does he show courage in battling Grendel, but he also proves worthy of honour when he tells Hrothgar of all his accomplishments in battle: “They have seen me boltered in the blood of enemies / when I battled and bound five beasts, / raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea / slaughtered sea-brutes (419-422).” Dauntlessly facing danger is an

attribute that lies within all epic heroes, such as Beowulf.
In addition to courage, the strength of a hero is needed to overcome the conflicts he may face. As well as physical strength, mental strength is equally important. The tenacity that Beowulf possesses throughout Beowulf is quite impressive. Even when others might think all hope is lost, Beowulf’s strength perseveres. In the course of getting ready to fight the dragon, Beowulf gives a speech of motivation to give himself and his soldiers the emotional strength they need to face the fire-breather. During the fight between Beowulf and the dragon, he shows great endurance and strength even after being plunged by the beast and being burnt with its fiery breath. As it is said in the epic, “Then the bane of that people, the fire-breathing dragon, / was mad to attack for a third time. / When a chance came, he caught the hero in a rush of flame and clamped sharp fangs / into his neck. Beowulf’s body / ran wet with his life-blood: it came welling out.” Although Beowulf was gravely injured, he was able to pull through to the last blow that would serve the dragon’s death: “Once again the king / gathered his strength and drew a stabbing knife / he carried on his belt, sharpened for battle. / He stuck it deep into the dragon’s flank. / Beowulf dealt it a deadly wound (2702-2706).”
Not only is Beowulf brave and strong, but he also has a sense of goodwill.

In sacrificing his life many a time and repaying his debt to Hrothgar in saving Hereot from Grendel and his mother, Beowulf shows great honour and altruism: “I had a fixed purpose when I put to sea. / As I sat in the boat with my band of men, / I meant to perform to the uttermost / what your people wanted or perish in the attempt, / in the fiend’s clutches. And I shall fulfil that purpose, / prove myself with a proud deed / or meet my death here in the mead hall.” These are the noble words of Beowulf, which characterizes his renowned

dignity.
In summary, Beowulf idealizes the perfect hero. He exemplifies all the prominent qualities of a hero, including bravery, might, and goodwill. Every obstacle that he faces proves more and more of his impeccable caliber. Beowulf, and other epics like it, enlightens others of the values that Anglo-Saxon people cherished, and will continue to do so for years to come.