Beowulf: An Epic Hero
Beowulf: An Epic Hero
In Anglo-Saxon society, scops utilized stories to preserve historical events and important figures. As a result, the ultimate goal of Anglo-Saxons was to perform an act so meaningful they would be immortalized in a scop's words for eternity. The epic Beowulf focuses on the struggles and challenges faced by the main character, Beowulf, during his life. Throughout the narrative, Beowulf is displayed as an epic hero by virtue of his ethical actions, brave deeds, and glorified persona.
Beowulf is presented as an epic hero through the numerous ethical and altruistic actions he performs in his life. Fame was very important to the Anglo-Saxon people, and it was often acquired through winning competitions. During Beowulf's swimming …show more content…
After getting separated from Brecca by a storm, Beowulf battled sea monsters at night; by morning, "[the monsters] decided to sleep on the shore... their blood spilled out/ on the sand" (Raffel 2: 565-568). Not only did Beowulf voluntarily swim out into the ocean and fight monsters, but he did so for multiple nights, proving the extraordinary courage he demonstrated was not a fluke. Later, Beowulf once again demonstrated his extreme bravery when he entered the lake to fight Grendel's mother. This lake was described as radiating an evil so great that even "a stag with great horns... [preferred] to die/ on those shores, [refused] to save its life/ in that water" (Raffel 56: 435-438). No other man or beast was willing to enter this lake, to confront the evils within, except Beowulf. Without even the slightest hesitation Beowulf entered the lake, a true testament to his incomprehensible …show more content…
During a feast in Herot after Beowulf's arrival, Welthow, the queen, "saluted the Geats'/ great prince... for allowing her hands the happy duty/ of offering mead to a hero" (Raffel 2: 624-628). Beowulf was so well respected and highly praised that a queen viewed herself as a mere servant when compared to him. The extent to which Beowulf was exalted was shown when "the Geats built [a] tower as Beowulf/ had asked... and then twelve of the bravest Geats... [praised him] for a life/ as noble as his name" (Raffel 70: 871-889). Even after his death, Beowulf's men continued to praise his accomplishments and leadership; they crafted stories which were passed down from generation to generation, glorifying Beowulf's life eternally.
In conclusion, Beowulf is an epic hero because he adhered to the core values of Anglo-Saxon society that are presented throughout the epic. Beowulf was able to overcome extreme obstacles and rule fairly because of his ethical nature, bravery, and significance in the Anglo-Saxon world. These important characteristics are still valued by modern society, and define an epic hero, enabling the story of Beowulf to remain relevant to readers
In Anglo-Saxon society, scops utilized stories to preserve historical events and important figures. As a result, the ultimate goal of Anglo-Saxons was to perform an act so meaningful they would be immortalized in a scop's words for eternity. The epic Beowulf focuses on the struggles and challenges faced by the main character, Beowulf, during his life. Throughout the narrative, Beowulf is displayed as an epic hero by virtue of his ethical actions, brave deeds, and glorified persona.
Beowulf is presented as an epic hero through the numerous ethical and altruistic actions he performs in his life. Fame was very important to the Anglo-Saxon people, and it was often acquired through winning competitions. During Beowulf's swimming …show more content…
After getting separated from Brecca by a storm, Beowulf battled sea monsters at night; by morning, "[the monsters] decided to sleep on the shore... their blood spilled out/ on the sand" (Raffel 2: 565-568). Not only did Beowulf voluntarily swim out into the ocean and fight monsters, but he did so for multiple nights, proving the extraordinary courage he demonstrated was not a fluke. Later, Beowulf once again demonstrated his extreme bravery when he entered the lake to fight Grendel's mother. This lake was described as radiating an evil so great that even "a stag with great horns... [preferred] to die/ on those shores, [refused] to save its life/ in that water" (Raffel 56: 435-438). No other man or beast was willing to enter this lake, to confront the evils within, except Beowulf. Without even the slightest hesitation Beowulf entered the lake, a true testament to his incomprehensible …show more content…
During a feast in Herot after Beowulf's arrival, Welthow, the queen, "saluted the Geats'/ great prince... for allowing her hands the happy duty/ of offering mead to a hero" (Raffel 2: 624-628). Beowulf was so well respected and highly praised that a queen viewed herself as a mere servant when compared to him. The extent to which Beowulf was exalted was shown when "the Geats built [a] tower as Beowulf/ had asked... and then twelve of the bravest Geats... [praised him] for a life/ as noble as his name" (Raffel 70: 871-889). Even after his death, Beowulf's men continued to praise his accomplishments and leadership; they crafted stories which were passed down from generation to generation, glorifying Beowulf's life eternally.
In conclusion, Beowulf is an epic hero because he adhered to the core values of Anglo-Saxon society that are presented throughout the epic. Beowulf was able to overcome extreme obstacles and rule fairly because of his ethical nature, bravery, and significance in the Anglo-Saxon world. These important characteristics are still valued by modern society, and define an epic hero, enabling the story of Beowulf to remain relevant to readers