... as martyrs. Society sees these people as heroes and underestimates the heroism that lies within traditional people with conventional lives. In Grendel, by John Gardner, Grendel's understanding of humanity's cruelty broadens the definition of heroism in modern and historical culture. Although Grendel plays the role of a monster in the story, he is more essential to the kingdom than any hero because he provides ... of the goodness that humans are capable of and attacks the kingdom out of despair, rage, and unbelief. Providing them with the knowledge that one day their lives will end, Gren...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... hero. Bloody battles are perhaps the most widely used ways for warriors such as Beowulf to gain fame. Beowulf literally "jumps" at the opportunity to fight Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. Beowulf would endanger his life just to be popular even if that meant fighting the most feared monsters and dragons in the world ... he had striven for. He is known as the strongest of the Geats, greater and stronger than anyone in the world. Beowulf proves this by defeating Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. He earned even more fame once he became king and had almost everyone looking ...

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• Grade Level: High School

... throughout this epic as having the ability to cleanse evil. One of Beowulf's deeds is his offer to King Hrothgar, in which he proposes to eliminate Grendel, who had been terrorizing his kingdom, killing innocent lives. Beowulf kills this evil creature, and brings peace to Hrothgar's kingdom, cleansing them of this evil ... . . Another selfless act is Beowulf' slay of Grendel's mother, who seeks revenge for Grendels death. After Beowulf becomes king in Geatland, he again shows his great ability once more by hie pledge to kill ... of the Geats "greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in...

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• Grade Level: High School

... he is loyal and worthy of his classification as an epic hero. Beowulf also exemplifies yet another universal heroic trait: selflessness. He fought valiantly against Grendel and his mother with little regard to his own life. In his battle to liberate Hrothgar and the people Heorot, he realizes the dangers but ... fears nothing for his own life. "In his clash with the fire-drake [Grendel], Beowulf lays down his life, thereby blessing with fresh energy the ideal of courage for which he dies." Moreover, Beowulf shows great leadership by sacrificing ... Beowulf fights the monster hand to han...

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• Grade Level: High School

... 685) Beowulf shows tremendous bravery and honor in fighting without a sword or shield. Beowulf's loyalty is most evident after he has defeated Grendel. After Beowulf fatally wounds the demon, by ripping his arm and shoulder from his body, there is a great celebration in Heorot. When night falls ... revenge. Beowulf realizes that her coming, and her killing Hrothgar's friend Aeschere, are direct consequences of his fight with Grendel. Because of this, Beowulf eagerly accepts Hrothgar's proposal to attack Grendel's mother. Although he had already done what he pledged to do, Beowulf is loy...

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• Grade Level: High School

... such selfishness and lack of generosity. Beowulf's men show unquestioning loyalty as they submit their lives to their lord. The night of Beowulf's fight with Grendel, the men are told by Beowulf to sleep (in the mead hall) and they bravely do, showing immense trust and devotion as they are aware ... of that they could very well increase their chance of dying when Grendel attacks if they follow as Beowulf instructs (to sleep as opposed to standing guard through the night). Beowulf remains loyal to King Hrothgar and as he ... promised to purge the mead hall of its murderous foes, he fulf...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... all of these traits of an epic hero, and more. Analyzing Beowulf's three battles, one can easily see Beowulf's heroic characteristics prevail. The battle with Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon display an array of heroism expressed by Beowulf. One characteristic of heroism is that a hero performs outrageous and sometimes superhuman deeds. ... Beowulf is a prime example of this type of hero. He volunteers himself to fight Grendel and when Grendel's mom seeks revenge he goes to the lake and takes on the challenge. He shows the great qualities of strength and power when, after fifty...

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• Grade Level: High School

... is shown that Beowulf and Wiglaf possess courageous traits and are genuinely ready for anything. Beowulf's super-human courage is shown when he went into battle with Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon. He shows he is fearless when he says, "I'd use no sword, no weapon, if this beast could be killed without it, ... immense, but he couldn't be a hero without his bravery. Even after all of the horror stories that he hears about Grendel, he still is ready to fight the horrid beast without any hesitation by exclaiming "Grendel is no braver, no stronger than I am- (20). Beowulf en-count...

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• Grade Level: High School

... the tale's namesake represents every characteristic applying to a hero. He is honest, loyal, and courageous. He portrays these characteristics in the battle against Grendel, the scuffle with Grendel's mother, and the fight against the dragon that inevitably ended his life. Beowulf was a man of admirable feats. He had the strength of ... thirty men in his arms, and would use this strength to help anyone in need. Upon hearing of the dilemma of Grendel and the ill happenings in Hrothgar's kingdom, Beowulf immediately gathered his followers to help the king and defend Heorot. When Beowulf en...

• Word Count: 514
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• Grade Level: High School

... possesses the qualities of a hero during the Anglo-Saxon times as he shows real bravery and courage. Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he will fight the monster, Grendel, to the end to save Hrothgar's mead hall and his men. Beowulf explains to Hrothgar that he will fight the monster without any weapons and with out ... any help, proving his bravery and courage. Futhermore, when Grendel comes again to the Mead Hall as all the men are sleeping, Hrothgar sees him and stops his men from helping him. He battles the monster ... perform super human feats. Beowulf performs super human feats along wi...

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• Grade Level: High School

... seven nights, he had also stopped to kill nine sea creatures in the depths of the ocean. Beowulf is also strong enough to kill the monster Grendel, who has been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years, with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. When Beowulf is fighting ... his peoples welfare before his own. Beowulf's uncle is king of the Geats so he is sent as an emissary to help rid the Danes of the evil Grendel. Beowulf risks his own life for the Danes, asking help from no one. He realizes the dangers but fears nothing for his own life. After Beowulf had ... must! (18)" He is aware o...

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... , he selflessly puts the welfare of the Danish people ahead of his own life. He risks his life to fight a monster, Grendel, who is notorious for his strength and slayings. "Not even the sharpest of swords could have cut/ It [Grendel's hand] through, broken it off the monster's/ Arm and ended its life, as Beowulf/ Had done armed only with his bare ... hands" (Beowulf, 987-990). Using only his own bare hands, Beowulf rips off the arm of Grendel and gives him many powerful, fatal blows. Grendel runs away from Heorot, the hall of the Danes, to die in the forest. Beowulf shows himself stronge...

• Word Count: 631
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• Grade Level: High School

... seven nights, he had also stopped to kill nine sea creatures in the depths of the ocean. Beowulf is also strong enough to kill the monster Grendel, who has been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years, with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. When Beowulf is fighting ... his peoples welfare before his own. Beowulf's uncle is king of the Geats, so he is sent as an emissary to help rid the Danes of the evil Grendel. Beowulf risks his own life for the Danes, asking help from no one. He realizes the dangers, but fears nothing for his own life. After Beowulf had ... must! (18)" He is aware...

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... by coming to kill them. Beowulf on the other hand was courageous as well by fighting unmatched opponents and overcoming unfathomable odds. In his battle against Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the dragon his power is unmatched. "...Grendel saw that his strength was deserting him, his clows bound fast, Higlac's brave follower tearing at his hands. The monster's hatred rose higher, but his power ... can note his prayers and statements to and about God as very christian. He even gives reference to heaven and hell as in this quote: "With death pressing at his [Grendel] back, pain splitting h...

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... think less of me if I let my sword/Go where my feet were afraid to." (264-256) In these lines, Beowulf vows to kill the creature Grendel with his bare hands. To early Europeans, such characteristics would indeed seem heroic, and keeping with the idea of a literary hero. In the epic poem, none ... skill as a warrior or as a leader of men. It is with this knowledge in mind that decides to end the scourge that is Grendel by himself. "That I, alone /May purge all evil from this hall." (260-261) As stated above, Beowulf is aware of the fact that many have died ... Beowulf as a true Anglo-Sa...

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• Grade Level: High School

... virtues that Beowulf carried were those of honor and dignity. He displays admirable honor of war throughout the epic but is most apparent when he is in conflict with Grendel. He states to Grendel, "Since you have no weapon of iron, nor shall I." He did this because he wanted it to be a fair fight and the sword would make it unfair and ... since Grendel had no weapon but his bare hands, Beowulf followed suit and the two engaged in combat with their fists. The dignity that should be displayed by all great heroes didn't ... loyalty to his word is something to envy. He told the Danes that...

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... and the fact that he does not fear death. An epic hero is characterized for having superhuman strength, Beowulf epitomizes this quality. For example as seen in the battle with Grendel "That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime, knew at once that nowhere on earth had he met a man whose hands where harder" (Lines 325 - 327). Beowulf fought ... Grendel with his bear hands and won. Furthermore, when Beowulf fought Grendel's mother, who is seeking revenge on her sons death, he is able to slash her with the giant sword that could only have been lifted ... by Beowulf, "strong and blessed with ...

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... in the challenge against Breca in which his "sword had killed nine sea monsters. (172)" The strength of Beowulf is also shown when he slays Grendel. He is faced with a daunting challenge, but in true hero form he accomplishes the task quickly and efficiently. "When it comes to fighting I count ... myself as dangerous as any day as Grendel. So it won't be a cutting edge I"ll wield to mow him down, easily as I might. (677-680)" The stereotype hero of today has ... as Beowulf displays in the poem. Courage is another aspect of the modern day hero. Beowulf shows his bravery and courage thr...

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... were very strong in many ways. Beowulf was said to have "the strength of thirty men in his mighty handgrip." Beowulf displayed his strength when he ripped off Grendel's limb, the fight in the cave under water, and the magic sword. Katniss on the other hand, has her own life riding on the line, along with making her district ... order to triumph. She doesn't have anyone in this battle; it's just her and her bow and arrow. On the other hand, Beowulf kills Grendel, a savage monster, that had to be destroyed, and did so without weapons. Grendel's mother, however, acted only out of retributi...

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... way. It is enough to say that Beowulf is a hero for every other trait but he in addition, is the only man able enough to defeat the dreaded dragon Grendel. Beowulf displays every bit of his "superman" qualities in his battle with Grendel. Where a normal man would grab Grendels claws, Beowulf fastened Grendels claws in his fists till they cracked. He defeats ... Grendel seemingly easily without any armor at all and in the end as if it were not simple enough that he had defeated the monster, he walks way unscathed. Beowulf's strong ... ...

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... us could posses a few. First of these characteristics is honor. Honor is showing a sense of integrity in one's actions. When Beowulf went to the land of the Danes to kill Grendel, he did it not because he wanted money, but because he wanted to help out the Dane. Although, I'm not being honor like Beowulf but I had my honor. I had my friends ... me. Another heroic characteristic, which Beowulf possesses, is bravery. Bravery is being able to go against the odds and possibly risk your life in the process. When he battles with Grendel, he does it without the things that everyone else would ...

• Word Count: 410
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• Grade Level: High School

... when there was no hope. Beowolf is with out a doubt a hero. Beowolf is a great example of a hero because he is brave. Beowolf is extremely brave when he goes to fight Grendel up against all odds. He had everything to lose but he still found the strength and courage in him to go fight ... Grendel, his mother and the dragon. He was faced with many challenges that most people couldn't even handle and he went through them always being optimistic and looking at the bright ... Beowolf pulled everything together and kept going. He didn't give up no matter what it took to kill the dragon. Beo...

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... . With the absence of humility, yet his important role in society and his ideals of chivalry, Beowulf was the definition of a hero in his own time. When Beowulf heard of Grendel, the powerful monster that had been disemboweling people for over twelve years; he took 13 of his bravest warriors and went to hrothgar to help his king. "And a young prince ... warrior society so highly values its heroic code, it highly esteems those who conform to the code's principles. Beowulf considers himself as a great warrior and demonstrates his courage by defeating Grendel, who had been terrorizing the D...

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... is usually a person of high social status and who usually has great historical or legendary importance. Beowulf is a prime example of this type of hero. He volunteers to fight Grendel and when Grendel's mother wants revenge, Beowulf goes to the lake and takes on the challenge. He shos the great qualities of strength and power when, after fifty years, he fights the ... ...

• Word Count: 412
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... of which Beowulf possesses. First of these characteristics is honor. Honor is showing a sense of integrity in one's actions. When Beowulf went to the land of the Danes to kill Grendel, he did it not because he wanted money, but because he wanted to help out the Geats. Beowulf felt as if it was the right thing to do since he ... ...

• Word Count: 572
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• Grade Level: High School