Beowulf

In the epic poem Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, in order to determine whether Beowulf is a hero, it is best to look at how a hero is viewed in the poem’s time.   Within the poem of Beowulf, four character traits can be found which define the Anglo Saxon hero.   The first trait is loyalty, as can be seen by the warrior’s relationship with their lords.   A proof to that can be seen by the way Beowulf is introduced – not by his name, but by “Hygelac’s thane.”   The second characteristic is strength.   Upon Beowulf’s arrival to the Dane’s land, when the watch-man describes him, he says, “Nor have I seen a mightier man … unless I am mistaken, he is truly noble.”   It is obvious that the watch-man is impressed with his might and concludes from his look only that he is noble.   The third trait is courage, which is given as a reason for Shield Sheafson’s greatness at the very beginning of the poem.   The last trait is the notion of fame, what will be remembered of a warrior after his death.   When Beowulf introduces himself to the watch-man, he speaks of his father.   "All over the world men wise in counsel continue to remember him.”   The proof that Ecgtheow was such a great and noble character is a fact that even these days wise men still speak of him.
As he introduces himself to Hrothgar, Beowulf presents each and every one of these qualities.   He is loyal to his lord by his description of himself as “Hygelac’s kinsman, one of his hall-troop.”   He is first and foremost a warrior to Hygelac.   He later on says that one of the reasons why he would fight Grendel, other than helping the Danes, is “to heighten Hygelac’s fame and gladden his heart.”   He is fighting for the name of his lord and not to gain personal recognition.   He then goes on describing his strength.   First, he proves his might by stating “When I was younger, I had great triumphs.”   He gives Hrothgar a reason why he is justified to fight Grendel.   Even in his younger days, when he was probably weaker, he already made a... [continues]

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