Who Is Beowulf An Epic Hero

What characteristics should an hero of a epic embody? Are they brave enough to undertake tasks no-one else dares attempt? Are they able to match their valor with charisma? Or do they perhaps have impressive qualities that make them unlike any ordinary man. Beowulf accentuates all of these characteristics in his epic. Who else but Beowulf, the only hero with the tenacity and bravery to embark on a task so dangerous no one but him would even pursue. He displays this during the battle with Grendel’s Mother, “Who thinks to win in the welter of battle/ Enduring glory; he fears not death. (Beowulf 1030-1031) Beowulf expresses that he isn’t scared of defeat it’s why he aspired towards this responsibility in the first place. Exhibiting his unwavering spirit. Not only does he show this through his battles through defeating the spawn of cain and abel, but even his kinsmen are surprised when he returns unscathed. Shortly before he returns the geats were grieving for Beowulf, “And the gray, old spearmen spoke of the hero,/ Having no hope he would ever return.” (1075-1076) Here the geats assumed the wretched sea-wolf had slain their leader. With his

This is visible when Beowulf is first arriving to the Danes. “My father was famous in many a folk-land,/ A leader noble, Ecgtheow his name!” (195-196) He is able to establish a relationship with the Danes despite only having his father for a namesake. Beowulf can also sway his rivals who aren’t yet satisfied with his brawn. Unferth was ridiculing Beowulf in the mead hall and he responded with this, “Fate often delivers an undoomed earl/ If his spirit be gallant!/ And so I was granted/ To slay with the sword-edge nine of the nicors,” (441-443) Here Beowulf counters by exclaiming his feat in killing a sea-beast who dragged him down a ocean. Beowulf is poised and heroic enough to articulate his capabilities with both strangers and rivals