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Beowulf - Hero

             In today's society, people often idolize and make heroes of the macho, larger-than-life action figures that entertain us in motion pictures. Beowulf, although a character from well over a thousand years ago, is the epitome of heroism and would have the starring role in an action figure movie today. His extreme heroic actions stand the test of time. Beowulf possesses strength, courage, and saves lives by destroying evil therefore achieving the standard of the modern day hero.
             Strength is one reason that Beowulf would be considered a great hero today. The epic poem clearly depicts Beowulf as a man of extraordinary physical strength. He displayed his might 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 strength just as Beowulf displays in the poem.
             Courage is another aspect of the modern day hero. Beowulf shows his bravery and courage throughout the entire poem. Facing Grendel alone shows his "undaunted courage. (572)" Beowulf is also referred to as "the man whose name was known for courage. (340)" His bravery shines through whenever there is a fearful moment. He faces his fear and accomplishes the task at hand with serenity and composure. This courageous characteristic that Beowulf possesses would uphold today's heroic standards.
             Beowulf would be a successful hero in modern times because he saves lives by destroying evil. Any person who saves lives is usually considered a hero in our society. Beowulf destroys the evil Grendel and therefore saves the lives of many innocent people.


Essays Related to Beowulf - Hero

1. Beowulf: A hero

... in battle, it is because it is his destiny to do so. He realizes the dangers but fears nothing for his own life. This is what makes Beowulf a true hero. Even after serving his people as King of the Geats for fifty years, he goes to battle in hopes (or fate) to destroy a horrible dragon ... achieve immortality as the victor or the loser. He has the power of twenty men in his arm alone and his leadership skills are superb. Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physical strength. He fought in numerous battles and returned victorious from all but his last. Not ...

  • Word Count: 1723
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Once Called a Hero - The Warrior Beowulf

... was loyal to his people, they thought that his life was something to be praised. His traits and actions made Beowulf an Anglo-Saxon hero. Beowulf's character conflict with ideas of a modern day hero who is defined as more of a humble, unknown person. In the book titled Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology, ... for the familiar face" (Reynolds 26). The idea that a hero in modern times has a secret identity is one of the major differences that separate Beowulf from what we call a hero today. In Beowulf, Beowulf is the hero and is a well known warrior. Before Beowulf's last battle, knowing that...

  • Word Count: 893
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

3. An Analysis of Beowulf as an Epic Hero

... for someone. Fame means that immortality could be attained and that is extremely important. In the poem Beowulf, the character Beowulf illustrates an ideal example of the desire to achieve fame. Beowulf is a young adventurer eager for fame and is also classified as an epic hero. An epic hero is someone who is on a quest, risks his or her life for glory or fame, and ... embodies the ideals or values of his or her culture. Clearly Beowulf possesses all of these essentials of an epic hero throughout the poem. One of the essentials that Beowulf possesses is the unquenchable desire for a que...

  • Word Count: 918
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Beowulf - The Archetypal Hero

... field. In the poem Beowulf, there is one character who possesses all and a greater amount of these expressed characteristics, the hero Beowulf. All through the poem Beowulf embodies the perfect's characteristics and archetypal hero, such as loyalty to his men and his kingdom, and Beowulf's bravery and strength throughout the epic. Some scholar argue that Beowulf is not a true hero, because of his self- ... obsessiveness, however in the time period of Beowulf, boasting and gloating not only instilled ... his reputation and identity as being one of the greatest warriors in Europe. An impo...

  • Word Count: 1028
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. Beowulf - Skill and Courage

... people as a royal responsibility. The epic poem begins with the slaying of Grendel. In the slaying of the abnormally large creature Beowulf shows portentous skills and courage. Beowulf's shows extraordinary skill and courage; which is an example of an epic hero. In the poem of Beowulf, Beowulf shows courage and skill by slaying Grendel without the use of a shield or sword. The reason why ... and courage in the killing of the Dragon. In the slaying of the Dragon, Beowulf was willing to sacrifice his life so that the gruesome Dragon would be killed. Due to Beowulf's extraordinary skill and...

  • Word Count: 813
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Beowulf

... people as a royal responsibility. The epic poem begins with the slaying of Grendel. In the slaying of the abnormally large creature Beowulf shows portentous skills and courage. Beowulf's shows extraordinary skill and courage; which is an example of an epic hero. In the poem of Beowulf, Beowulf shows courage and skill by slaying Grendel without the use of a shield or sword. The reason why ... and courage in the killing of the Dragon. In the slaying of the Dragon, Beowulf was willing to sacrifice his life so that the gruesome Dragon would be killed. Due to Beowulf's extraordinary skill and...

  • Word Count: 873
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. The Battles of Beowulf

... Einstein for being a genius, or someone as simple as a mother or father. Through his battles with Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the fire dragon, Beowulf accomplishes the privileged status of an epic hero. The battle with Grendel first allows Beowulf to exhibit his heroic qualities for everyone. The Danes become slaves to Grendel as he feasts on their people, for the better part of ... of them/Remained, stood there, miserable, remembering, / As a good man must, what kinship should mean " (749-751). One loyal solider, saves Beowulf's life by staying true to his word and backing up his le...

  • Word Count: 1010
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Beowulf Compared to the Dream of the Rood

... fight anyone, anything, and anywhere to keep his people safe. Even into his winter long kingship and old age, Beowulf fought till death. In Beowulf, the scope states, "Then the famous old hero, remembering/Days of glory, lifted what was left/ Of Nangling, his ancient sword, and swung it/ With all his strength, smashed the gray/ Blade into the beast's head" (2677-2681 ... that he will take the right actions. The qualities that a true hero possesses can only be gained through experience. In Beowulf you can clearly see what the people of the Old English period thought to be a hero. To them...

  • Word Count: 1799
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Beowulf - The Characteristics of a Hero

... being loyal to the king is what needs to be done for his father. As the story continues Beowulf ends up being loyal to the Danish people and his own people. This epic hero not only shows loyalty but also shows bravery. If facing monsters and giants was easy then anyone ... He especially shows it in his fight with Grendel. What kind of hero doesn't have supernatural strength, certainly not Beowulf. So Beowulf is not only a hero, he is an epic hero. He displays every characteristic you think of when it comes to heros. Beowulf is definitely someone to feel protected with because he hasn't l...

  • Word Count: 570
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

10. Twenty Points on Beowulf

... their battle against Grendel. His strength is another reason he is marked as a hero as the poem reveals it to be the equivalent to thirty men. Beowulf also shows the qualities of loyalty, confidence, and wisdom which all make him a hero. Grendel is considered a monster because he lacks compassion for the human race. ... 17. Wiglaf is important to the poem because he marks the era of a new hero. Wiglaf shows sstregth, bravery, and wisdom is his first battle. All those qualities are ones of a hero. Beowulf also makes him in charge because Beowulf does not have a son to live through when he...

  • Word Count: 2142
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Grade Level: High School

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