Beowulf The Heroic Hero - 1172 Words

On the surface, Beowulf emulates every single characteristic of a hero; he is brave when he fights Grendel, he was confident when he fought unarmed, and he did not fear for his life when he died battling the dragon. It is actually quite easy to get the impression that he is the Anglo-Saxon version of Thor, that he is the epitome of the heroic archetype. However, throughout the course of the poem, the text begins to evoke certain emotions and thoughts of Beowulf’s psyche and prerogative. The story prompts readers to think of what it means to be a hero or what the definition of heroism itself means, in terms of Anglo-Saxon culture and literature. The typical definition with the usual characteristics begins to meld with the events of Beowulf’s life and his downfall. But, it also merges questions of whether he genuinely cared to fight for his people or if he was just boastful. Despite Beowulf making some reckless decisions and eliciting a cocky personality, in turn creating blurred lines between what it is to be a good warrior and king, his character is best understood through the positive repercussions of the events that made him memorable because of his ability to protect his kingdom. First and foremost, it is important to highlight the battle between Beowulf and Grendel. It is important to focus on this battle not only because of its prominence in Beowulf’s story but also the fact that it displays aspects of Beowulf’s personality and thirst for glory. Beowulf hears of theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Beowulf As A Heroic Epic779 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown†. Stories about such heroes have been told for centuries. In fact, heroistic ideals are sometimes the basis of a society. The Anglo-Saxon people are a prime example of the previous statement. In Anglo-Saxon culture, being called a hero was an honor. Heroes were treated like kings. One of the most popular hero stories that bled into Anglo-Saxon life was the heroic epic of Beowulf. Beowulf was the perfect example of an Anglo-Saxon hero as heRead MoreBeowulf And Sir Gawain And The Green Knight897 Words   |  4 PagesDuring the Middle Age s, two poems, Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight embody heroic figures. Beowulf, who demonstrates all the characteristics of an ideal hero, is faced with physical and moral challenges that no other man could face during his existence. Beowulf was not only looking to become a hero, he wanted to reveal the importance of establishing identity. However, Beowulf was not the only hero during this time period. Sir Gawain also participates in challenges that define his characterRead MoreBeowulf Is a Hero Essay877 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf Essay Every epic hero possesses certain heroic characteristics. The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. Beowulf is the hero. He shows that he is a great man by always putting other things before his own needs. He is important and needed by his people and is known by many as a strong, courageous and a helpful person. He shows all of the qualities and traits that a true hero possesses. Beowulf, like other epic heroes, possesses the following heroic qualities:Read MoreBeowulf s Heroic Qualities That Convey His Nobility And Courage887 Words   |  4 Pages Beowulf exemplifies heroic qualities that convey his nobility and courage. The poem named Beowulf has no known author. The author of the poem is known to be a Anglo-Saxon poet. The poem, Beowulf, is an Old English epic poem. The character, Beowulf, is a noble hero who offered to help King Hrothgar by fighting a demon named Grendal. He fought many enemies before and while becoming a king. Beowulf is a loyal and noble hero to the people of Geats and Danes. Epic heroes are defined with specificRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare932 Words   |  4 PagesTo be a hero it was meant that you were a great warrior, but still have the values of being kind and modest. Before Beowulf arrived to Herot he was known for his heroism, which was shown again and again during the fight with Grendel, the fight with Grendel’s mother, and his final battle with the dragon. While his heroism was shown at each of these events, there were changes in his heroic nature over time. Regardless of these changes, he was still seen as the mighty hero throughout the epic poem ofRead MoreBeowulf as a Epic Hero Essay960 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf Paper A true hero does not fear death or, but instead risks all that he is for what he believes to be right, moral, and just. Beowulf is an epic and tells the story of a legendary hero, conquering all obstacles as if he was immortal. Up until the end of Beowulfs life he was constantly looking to be the hero. However, his humanity is exposed by his death. Heroes all share the characteristic of their willingness to die in their effort to accomplish their heroic act, thus making the actRead MoreHeroes Are The People In The Society That We Admire For1048 Words   |  5 Pagescommunity, anyone who attains the hero status, he/she creates ideals and ideas that the community creates and strives for. Heroes are individuals who assist in shaping the culture of the community they are associated with in the literature, the community also shapes the heroes too. The motivation and zeal of the heroes to attain more are always shaped by their culture (Heroes and The Homeric Iliad). Social conditions and culture create the essence of the hero in which the people need at the timeRead MoreBeowulf As A Hero With Extraordinary Strength And Will1361 Words   |  6 PagesCarter Witt Mrs. Smith EN 210 7 November 2014 â€Å"Heroism in Beowulf† Beowulf is depicted as a great hero with extraordinary strength and will. This is not what makes him such a great hero though. Webster’s dictionary defines a hero as a person who is admired for brave acts or fine qualities (Merriam-Webster). While Beowulf has these qualities the definition does not do him justice. It seemed that his purpose in life was to help others and this is proven when he eventually sacrifices his life whenRead MoreBeowulf: an Epic Hero983 Words   |  4 PagesNate Gauvain British Literature Beowulf Essay 9/22/04 Beowulf: An Epic Hero According to Abrams, the heroic poem is a long verse narrative on a serious subject, told in an elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race. Beowulf fits Abrams description of an epic, exhibiting all of the characteristics listed throughout the book, thus defining Beowulf as a hero and making the book an epic through itsRead More Beowulf is an Epic Hero Essay957 Words   |  4 Pagestrue hero does not fear death or, but instead risks all that he is for what he believes to be right, moral, and just. Beowulf is an epic and tells the story of a legendary hero, conquering all obstacles as if he was immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf’s life he was constantly looking to be the hero. However, his humanity is exposed by his death. Heroes all share the characteristic of their willingness to die in their effort to accomplish their heroic act, thus making the act in itself heroic. Throughou t