Beowulf As An Epic Hero Research Paper
During the times of the Anglo-Saxon’s, there were many tales and poems that included an epic hero. If the story has an epic hero, that particular person is the central, or main, character. This person does not have the normal characteristics like the other characters in the story. This person is different from all the other characters. The epic hero tends to be a larger-than-life figure, typically of noble or semi divine birth, and uses his/her skills and courage against the enemies. Beowulf is a great example of an epic hero. The story of Beowulf holds many examples of an epic hero. The main character, Beowulf, has all the characteristics that make an epic hero up. The first characteristic is that the character tends to be larger-than-life.
…show more content…
When Beowulf finds out where Grendel’s mother lives, because people were telling stories about how the she beast had been terrorizing people after her son’s death, he decides that he is going to kill her as well. Beowulf, without a second thought, would jump into the burning lake where Grendel’s mother resides. One point that stands out in this passage which shows that Beowulf is an epic hero is that he sank in the burning lake for hours and hours. No normal human being could do such a thing because after a few seconds, the human being would have to come up for air. As Beowulf sank, Grendel’s mother discovered him and took hold of him. She planned on hurting him, but as much as she tried, she could not get one single scratch on him. Their fight had brought so much attention onto them that many sea beasts were trying as hard as they could to attack him as well. Beowulf then realized that the female beast had brought him into someone’s battle …show more content…
He showed that he was stronger than any other man by defeating Grendel and Grendel’s mother, something that no one else could accomplish. Beowulf was even able to inflict fear in Grendel. Beowulf also proved that he was more courageous than anyone. Beowulf would not use his weapons or his shield against his enemies if they did not have a weapon or shield. Beowulf was a respectful character who showed his bravery and courage. Beowulf is an epic hero because he has shown that he is a larger-than-life figure, he is courageous, and he is of a noble or semi-divine
When Beowulf finds out where Grendel’s mother lives, because people were telling stories about how the she beast had been terrorizing people after her son’s death, he decides that he is going to kill her as well. Beowulf, without a second thought, would jump into the burning lake where Grendel’s mother resides. One point that stands out in this passage which shows that Beowulf is an epic hero is that he sank in the burning lake for hours and hours. No normal human being could do such a thing because after a few seconds, the human being would have to come up for air. As Beowulf sank, Grendel’s mother discovered him and took hold of him. She planned on hurting him, but as much as she tried, she could not get one single scratch on him. Their fight had brought so much attention onto them that many sea beasts were trying as hard as they could to attack him as well. Beowulf then realized that the female beast had brought him into someone’s battle …show more content…
He showed that he was stronger than any other man by defeating Grendel and Grendel’s mother, something that no one else could accomplish. Beowulf was even able to inflict fear in Grendel. Beowulf also proved that he was more courageous than anyone. Beowulf would not use his weapons or his shield against his enemies if they did not have a weapon or shield. Beowulf was a respectful character who showed his bravery and courage. Beowulf is an epic hero because he has shown that he is a larger-than-life figure, he is courageous, and he is of a noble or semi-divine