Beowolf
Heroes and monsters, both good and evil fighting each other, is a theme that even today we are all too familiar with in movies, books, and television. However, Beowulf depicts the accomplishments of a Geatish hero who rids Hrothgar’s kingdom of two monsters, Grendel and Grendel's mother. This is a characteristic of a violent society where war and kingship are normal daily parts of life. What kind of person could handle the constant threat of dragons and monsters? Only someone with supernatural powers and heroic qualities such as Beowulf! In this story, Beowulf is a warrior exhibiting the qualities of an epic hero with courage, supernatural powers, and fame.Beowulf demonstrates his courage a number of times throughout the poem. Beowulf travels to Denmark in order to challenge Grendel, the undefeatable and horrific monster that many knights have tried to destroy, but no one has succeeded. “Grendel is no braver, no stronger/ Than I am! I could kill him with my sword; I shall not,/ Easy as it would be. This fiend is a bold/ And famous fighter, but his claws and teeth/ Scratching at my shield, his clumsy fists/ Beating at my sword blade,
Another special trait that Beowulf has is supernatural powers. Beowulf slays many sea monsters while competing in a swimming match. This seems impossible because heavy armor would weigh any normal person down and make it impossible for him to swim, let alone kill sea monsters. Only a hero with supernatural abilities could accomplish this feat. Beowulf demonstrates his super natural strength when he rips off Grendel’s arm with his bare hands. Finally, Beowulf was able to stay underwater for an extremely long time. How does he breathe? He must have some very special powers. “For hours he sank through the waves;/ At last he saw the mud of the bottom” (70). By having all these supernatural abilities, Beowulf must be an epic hero. There is one more trait that Beowulf has that makes him an epic hero and that is fame. Everyone knows the name Beowulf. Hrothgar knew who he was before Beowulf even entered his kingdom to challenge Grendel. Beowulf gained fame from his swimming match with Brecca. He swam across the ocean fighting terrible sea monsters as he traveled. “They have seen my strength for themselves,/ Have watched me rise from the d
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Approximate Word count = 773
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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