Nate 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 it’s
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Beowulf as an Epic Hero An epic hero is the central figure who has superior qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a grand quest. Beowulf is a great epic hero because he performs many brave deeds such as risking his life for the greater good of society‚ and is significant and glorified by all people. Beowulf displays all of these heroic characteristics in many situations throughout the poem. Beowulf boasts and boasts about all of his great doings‚ but in the end he proves to everyone that
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Search for “epic hero” in the dictionary‚ and the definition reads: “a brave and noble character in an epic poem‚ admired for great achievements or affected by grand events” (“epic hero”). Scan the page a little further‚ preferably just underneath it‚ and the name Beowulf appears. Beowulf has come to be the embodiment of an epic hero in society for his ability to exhibit not only one‚ but all traits of a hero in the epic proportion. Although Beowulf’s story remains evident‚ the relevance of his heroic
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Beowulf‚ the Epic Hero There have been many grand stories about great warriors‚ and champions; those about epic heroes however‚ are the truly exceptional tales. One such tale‚ over a thousand years old‚ stands out from all the rest: Beowulf‚ the tale of a great warrior‚ on his quest to achieve eternal glory‚ defeating great opponents. Throughout the whole story‚ Beowulf demonstrates most –if not all- of the qualities that an archetypal hero possesses. He embodies the highest ideals of his culture
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who performed larger than life acts and then boasted about them. Beowulf was a son‚ a king‚ and a hero. He would protect and battle all kinds of monsters and dragons just to make sure he kept his people safe and happy. Beowulf‚ was a man with many different characteristic traits. He demonstrates certain characteristics of a hero because he had responsibility‚ respect‚ trustworthiness‚ generosity‚ strength‚ power‚ and courage. A hero is one who places himself or herself at great risk while performing
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Beowulf: Epic Hero Epic hero: An important figure from a history or legend‚ usually favored by or even partially descended from deities‚ but aligned more closely with mortal figures in popular portrayals. The story of Beowulf is filled with adventure‚ murder‚ and drama. The author‚ however‚ is unknown. In the story the main characters are Beowulf‚ Grendel‚ Grendel’s mother‚ and the dragon. Beowulf is defined as an epic hero by possessing the traits of being a strong and responsible leader‚
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Fate of a Hero "For a brief while your strength is in bloom/ but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow/ illness or the sword to lay you low and death will arrive‚ dear warrior‚ to sweep you away"(1761-8). Hrothgar bestows his wisdom onto Beowulf after Beowulf has defeated Grendel and his mother. Hrothgar reminds him not to let pride overcome him for everything is eventually defeated due to the power of fate. This exemplifies a theme woven throughout the story of Beowulf. Beowulf is presented
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Heros are praised members of society‚ but that view can easily change if the hero steps over the fine line separating being a hero‚ and being boastful. Beowulf’s position on that line is questioned in the epic poem‚ Beowulf‚ translated by Burton Raffel. The poem tells of Beowulf‚ a great Geatish warrior‚ facing three monsters that threaten the vikings. Beowulf is a hero because he risks his life for the sake of others‚ doesn’t give up‚ and fights even though there’s a good chance he might lose. He
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Beowulf the Great Batman smashes into the Joker’s lair. He knocks out all of the Joker’s henchman and then moves on to clobber the Joker. He rescues the captives and saves the day! Batman is a true example of a great modern hero. However‚ not all heroes are modern. There are hundred of great ancient heroes. One of them is a man named Beowulf. Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon hero who fights for others. He exemplifies a set of characteristics that holds true to every superhero. These characteristics are
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Beowulf is capable of deeds of great strength‚ Great warriors‚ and focus supernatural foes and regions. Like many heroes before there is epic twist on how the hero takes place to overcome such task. Beowulf fits the place of all three categories that proves how he meets the characteristics of a hero. Beowulf risks his life of glory and for the greater good of his pride and people. However‚ within his battle with Grendel he was capable of deeds of great strength from the battled itself. “He twisted
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