Beowulf As An Epic Hero

Being a hero is not just fighting monsters or saving people but there is more to an epic hero than that. Beowulf has shown that he is more than your ordinary, run-of-the-mill hero. Beowulf shows that he has “larger than life” qualities. No ordinary man can exert the amount of strength that Beowulf did as he lifted the sword made by giants, which was found in Grendel’s lair (_). As Beowulf swims with thirty coats of mail in the battle that Hygelac would soon die in, Beowulf presents his endurance that no mere mortal could ever hope to match (_). Beowulf in many cases possesses these “larger than life” qualities, which helps him prevail in the battles throughout his life. This magnificent warrior is a natural born leader of others. Beowulf displays
This warrior from Geatland is associated with “light” and strength and values. At the end of Beowulf’s battle against Grendel’s mother a light shines down in the cave giving a sense that God is truly on his side (_). Beowulf, being the epic hero that he is, often stands alone in his battles. After Aeshcere is snatched up by Grendel’s mother, Beowulf accompanied by a few more warriors went on a search to find her. As they reached the moors, Beowulf is the only one that swam in the lake to go after Grendel’s mother (_). As Beowulf was king of the Geats, a dragon tantalized his people and he went to kill it, attempting to kill it by himself (_). Beowulf is a fearless warrior and believes he can defeat anything by himself. As an epic hero, Beowulf is smarter than everyone else. Beowulf knew that weapons would not work on Grendel so he fought without one (_). Beowulf, although, does have a weakness that causes his demise. As he grows older he becomes arrogant and too proud, thinking he can fight all by himself (_). This later leads to his downfall. This is a weakness that Hrothgar warned Beowulf about, but he did not listen to Hrothgar’s