Beowulf: Three Characteristics Of The Epic Hero

Thomas Smith

ENG 201

9-20-15

Beowulf the 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,

This means that he is always devoted to his people, his king, and their security. He understands his role to protect his people and will do everything in his almighty strength to do so. Beowulf also realizes that sometimes sacrifices have to be made in order to keep peace and protect his people. Duty is not for the personal gain of the individual but for what 's best for the people. Another great example of this is when he goes to slay the dragon at a time where he knows he can no longer do the same things that he once could back in his early days. He has no help, he realizes that the dragon is more powerful, and

In this final fight, Beowulf provides a glimpse of how his duty comes in to relationship to his fate. He believes it is his duty to do what fate will allow him to do. In lines 1470-1474, it says “Sad was his spirit, restless and ready, And the march of Fate immeasurably near; Fate that would strike, seek his soul’s treasure, And deal asunder the spirit and flesh. Not long was his life encased in the body!” Beowulf, like many other great epic heroes, believed that fate does play a role in their lives. His understanding of this allowed him to accept what fate had to offer and that it was his responsibility to do everything that fate would allow him to do. In part of what makes Beowulf so epic is that he was able to accomplish all that there was to be done and died an epic hero death, dying while defending his people, his duty. Even though it was his responsibility, he didn’t have to do it; he could have run away like others may have. That is a major trait that Beowulf provides that distinguishes himself among