Beowulf as a Epic Hero

949 words 4 pages
Beowulf 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 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. Throughout the epic, Beowulf in many ways exhibited all the qualities and characteristics needed to be a true hero.
Beowulf was passed on from person to person. Beowulf possesses the superhuman abilities, and the amazing power
…show more content…

Beowulf had a band of mighty men, willing to die for their leader, and this in turn gave Beowulf much power, which gave him confidence and helped his courage to finish off the evil beast Grendel. With everything Beowulf had in his personality traits, he still could not ignore the fact that he was only human, that is why he had the ability to die. But dying as a noble person, as a leader, and a courageous man is what made Beowulf the hero that he was. Dying for the well being of his fellow warriors made him a hero.
As heroic as Beowulf is, he is still human. He still has doubts in his abilities, abilities to fight, but more so, doubts in his ability to forever live. Beowulf knows that he is human, and in the end, after all his glory, he dies. All of Beowulf's heroic deeds and battles make him the hero he desires to be. Perhaps what makes Beowulf live today, forever a legend of the past, is the fact that he did die, making him a mortal being; living and dying with the people, for the people, and as a person.
Beowulf is the prime example of an epic hero. He is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero, not only of the Anglo-Saxon time. His bravery and strength exceed all mortal men; loyalty, morals and virtues and the ability to think of himself last make him respected by all. He set a noble example for all human beings. Beowulf is most definitely an epic hero, and a hero of the

Related

  • Beowulf study guide
    1565 words | 7 pages
  • Good and Evil in Beowulf
    1032 words | 5 pages
  • Jesus - the Epic Hero
    969 words | 4 pages
  • A Critical Appraisal of: Beowulf and Gilgamesh
    1632 words | 7 pages
  • Christian and Pagan Ideals in Beowulf
    1360 words | 6 pages
  • Is Grendel Truley Evil?
    1109 words | 5 pages
  • Grendel vs. Beowulf
    982 words | 4 pages
  • Macbeth and School Infirmary
    1627 words | 7 pages