Preview

Beowulf: Characteristics Of An Epic Hero

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
341 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Beowulf: Characteristics Of An Epic Hero
Beowulf
The epic hero has been part of human societies since the beginning of time.
In the story of Beowulf, the main character continuously demonstrates the characteristics of an epic hero, and was able to prove the theme that good conquers evil. Grendel was big in size, and had the strength of many. But he was not brave at all, he used his strength for evil and to destroy. Beowulf is an epic hero for many reasons. Three of Beowulf's most epic characteristics are strength, honor, and the ability to rule.
Strength, Beowulf is strong and have greater power than any other warrior. It is shown by his ability to fight great monsters. Beowulf is far stronger than any warrior and his power to bring evil down has shown his epic status. "And if death

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Beowulf As An Epic Hero

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf is such a unique and distinctive character. He shows people the true definition of an epic hero. He is the type of hero that people would look up to. He is a confident leader for many, and that is what makes him who he is. Beowulf’s main characteristics are loyalty, bravery, and strength.…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    To sum it all up, In Beowulf, Beowulf is an archetypal hero who ended up being corrupted by the fame and fortune that was gained while doing the Danes a favour and killing their monsters. In Grendel, Grendel was labeled as a monster who tried to be part of a human society; the failure to be accepted as part of the society has forced Grendel to act like how he was labeled.…

    • 72 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf also has the heroic characteristics of being brave. Beowulf would go and fight taking a risk of his own life on the line just to help out others. not for himself.. at all. But others around him. Beowulf went into it knowing that this nasty slaying dragon was bigger than him but he still didn't have a doubt in his mind going in to fight this dragon.…

    • 324 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    What is an epic hero? Beowulf was an archetype or, perfect example of what an epic hero is. Being infallible, he had many characteristics that showed this. Three of them are strength, bravery, and determination. Beowulf was always eager to face anything he was challenged with.…

    • 274 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    This essay is going to describe someone`s character traits that I read about. A fictional character named Beowulf. He is a larger than life character of Epic proportions. Beowulf was a warrior, who was honorable, brave, and courageous.…

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    In the epic poem Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, the warrior-prince Beowulf portrays each quality required to be an Epic Hero. When Beowulf is challenged, he stands his ground, with his head held high and his mind suffused with pride. He fears nothing and no one. Beowulf’s qualities are above a noble warrior but of an epic hero. His physical strength is shown in the battle against Grendel. Beowulf exposes his ethical aspect when he inquired Hrothgar’s permission to kill Grendel. Beowulf’s quests are always successful by virtue of showing neither weakness nor fear. He is glorified during his battle against Grendel’s mother under the sea, which is virtually impossible. Beowulf died a noble death nevertheless he leaves with the glory of an epic hero.…

    • 940 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Hero Traits

    • 606 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Strength is one of the most important characteristics of a hero and Beowulf definitely exhibits this characteristic. When he landed on the Dane’s land he boasted to the King about his strength. He speaks of killing huge sea serpents and even mentions wanting to kill Grendel with his bare hands, for example, “He might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster.” (265-269).…

    • 606 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Values

    • 618 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Throughout the epic, Beowulf demonstrated his strength as a warrior and a leader. When Grendel arrived at Herot, the other warriors “could not scratch at his skin, for that sin-stained demon had bewitched all men's weapons, laid spells that blunted every mortal man's blade.”(92-94). Beowulf took charge and used his own hands to fight and eventually defeat Grendel since his fellow men could not do so. This conveys how Beowulf was not only physically strong in battle, but how he took charge to defeat Grendel since the others were unable to. Beowulf also took it upon himself to battle Grendel's mother, which was where he utilized “the best of all weapons / But so massive that no ordinary man could lift / Its carved and decorated length. He drew it.”(244-246). Since a normal man would have been unable to life the sword, this event in the text displays how Beowulf is an epic hero. An epic hero is often characterized by possessing an immense amount of strength, which Beowulf had from being able to utilize the sword and defeat Grendel's mother. His strength as a warrior and a leader is what classifies Beowulf as a quintessential epic…

    • 618 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In order to establish Beowulf as an epic hero in the piece of literature Beowulf, he must possess all or most of the characteristics of an epic hero. An epic hero is the central figure in an epic who has superior qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a grand quest. There are ten specific characteristics that one must have to be considered an epic hero. One must be significant and glorified, on a quest, and responsible leader. One must also have superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, courage, and ethics. Lastly, one must risk death for glory or for the greater good of society, perform brave deeds, and reflect the ideals of a particular society.…

    • 1031 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf by Gareth Hinds is graphic novel based on the Anglo-Saxon epic from 1000 A.D. This work tells the story of a warrior-prince named Beowulf, who completes various heroic tasks throughout the epic story. How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster teaches the reader the real qualities and characteristics it takes to be a true hero in literature. In his quests Beowulf proves that he is a true hero in literature.…

    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It is said that Zeus, the Lord of the Sky, once stated that a true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength but by the strength of his heart. A person who claims to be a hero can boast about his strength and how many monsters he’s defeated, but he can’t be a true hero if in the end he’s defeating all these monsters to show off. A true and epic hero is the man or woman who has the intent on helping people in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Beowulf, because of his selflessness, valor, and honor, is the epitome of an epic hero.…

    • 791 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf As A Hero

    • 167 Words
    • 1 Page

    Beowulf has many of the characteristics to classify him as a hero. For example he’s brave, sacrificial, strong, caring and patient. Evidence from the text where Beowulf shows/develops these characteristics are:…

    • 167 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    For conclude, to become a greatest hero like Beowulf, he has to have these qualities: bossy, independent, and fearless. Beowulf is an awesome hero, he saves many people from the monsters. Even when he has to face the death, he still doing what he said to keep his…

    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Part A- Beowulf like all epic hero’s is strong loyal and brave. These characteristic are what define Beowulf, and instill fear is his enemies. He boasts about “(driving) / five great giants into chains” (248-249) and “In the blackness of night, hunting monsters” (251). Beowulf protects his followers and king, and is proud of his accomplishments. He strives for greatness, his words are arrogant but his actions shine through his overbearing pride and give him the capability to be heroic. (Part B) Beowulf is an epic hero; he takes great pride in his actions, unlike Grendel who feels jealous of humans which causes him to be spiteful towards them: “ Grendel snatched at the first Geat / He came to (and) Ripped him apart” (313-314). Grendel’s pride lays in the fear he instills on humans, without pride Grendel would be a monster with no motive to kill. Furthermore, Beowulf’s pride stems…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Epic Hero

    • 893 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Everyone needs to make their life like a Beowulf. In the poem Beowulf ,the character, Beowulf, is an example of a true epic hero, who fights with a powerful monster and saves Horthgor’s people. He is the only person who can fight with monsters. He meets unnatural phenomena. He goes into the underworld on a dangerous journey. In the end he is able to kill the most powerful monster. In Beowulf, the narrator says Beowulf has all qualities of an epic hero.…

    • 893 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays