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Beowulf

The theme is universal, one human’s battle against a hostile environment. The theme, the overall war of good verses evil, in which the good always prevails, is illustrated through the main character, Beowulf. Beowulf is an example of the good that prevails. The story of Beowulf takes place around Scyld’s descendent Hrothgar’s ancient mead hall. It was known as Heorot, meaning Hart’s Hall, and was located in Seeland, Denmark. A beast was terrorizing the hall by killing warriors for twelve years, this until Beowulf hears of the trouble by the word of a scop, an ancient verbal storyteller. Beowulf, who was a true champion of his time, faces cruel monsters and unbeatable odds, yet somehow he overcomes the monsters with his wit and strength. He believes he can fight the evil monster and restore peace to the hall. His undying struggle for justice against the oppressors of free will and life make him one of the greatest epic heroes of all time. Mainly, though Beowulf is an epic hero because of his ability to overcome the great obstacles that faced him, he is blessed with courage and superhuman strength, and he receives compensation for the deeds that he carries out.

An epic hero often is found carrying out tasks and overcoming

For all of his troubles Beowulf receives compensation for his work. An epic hero mostly receives a choice of compensation: let it be, lady, land, or gold. Hrothgar chose to give Beowulf ancient treasures, and gold, he says “’Save us, /Once more, and again twisted gold, /Heaped-up ancient treasure, will reward you/For the battle you win!’” (Beowulf 46). The only instance of compensation in the story is there since it says “again”. Compensation must have happened earlier in the story.

Beowulf is an epic hero because of his ability to overcome the great obstacles that he faces, he is blessed with courage and superhuman strength, and he receives compensation for the deeds that he carries out. An epic hero was one of the most respected people in a time period. With the Anglo Saxons, Beowulf would have been someone that everyone looked up to for help also he is an idol to them. The story shows us how the fight with evil is won by the good of people and the strength of the heroes of a time and place. The theme is universal, the endless feud between good and evil, where the good prevails in the end.

A normal human being cannot be an epic hero, but if one were to have super human strengths and traits such as Beowulf, that human can achieve this status. Beowulf illustrates this when he is faced with the task of killing Grendel. He developed a plan that would help him defeat Grendel. His men and himself would sleep in the mead hall, while Hrothgar’s men would sleep out of danger. When Grendel would come to the hall to eat his usual meal of thirty men he would pounce on Beowulf. Beowulf is ready for him, he will

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