The Epic Hero
After 500 A.D., the story Beowulf was written by an unknown author. It was a long and adventurous epic poem written about a hero named Beowulf. Beowulf was considered an epic hero and it can be seen through many his characteristics shown in the story.
One way it is seen that Beowulf was an epic hero was his more-than-human strength. For example, the story stated, “… hell’s captive caught in the arms / Of him who of all the men on earth / Was the strongest” (347-349). In this part of the story, Beowulf had caught Grendel in his supernatural grip after Grendel had attacked the Geats. This shows his epic hero trait of having more-than-human strength. Grendel, the evil giant, had no hope of escaping Beowulf’s supernatural hands. In addition, the author wrote, “… hanging high / From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster’s / Arm, claw and shoulder and all” (393-395). What is happening in this quote is that Beowulf had ripped off Grendel’s arm, ending the long, gruesome battle. Therefore, Beowulf’s epic hero trait of having supernatural strength can be seen from the way he ripped off Grendel’s impenetrable arm. Also, the story says, “…For hours he sank through the waves…” (423). In this part of the story Beowulf is going underwater to defeat Grendel’s mom. This quote shows Beowulf’s epic trait by stating that it took Beowulf hours to sink underwater. No normal human being can hold their breath for hours underwater like Beowulf could. Through all of these comparisons it is obvious that Beowulf is a great epic hero with supernatural strength.
The way that Beowulf had divine intervention in his battles, also, shows that he was an epic hero. For example, the story stated, “… But fate, that night, intended / Grendel to gnaw the broken bones / Of his last human supper” (293-295). In this part of the story, the unknown author had foreshadowed Grendel’s and Beowulf’s battle, and how it would end in death for Grendel. This quote shows divine
One way it is seen that Beowulf was an epic hero was his more-than-human strength. For example, the story stated, “… hell’s captive caught in the arms / Of him who of all the men on earth / Was the strongest” (347-349). In this part of the story, Beowulf had caught Grendel in his supernatural grip after Grendel had attacked the Geats. This shows his epic hero trait of having more-than-human strength. Grendel, the evil giant, had no hope of escaping Beowulf’s supernatural hands. In addition, the author wrote, “… hanging high / From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster’s / Arm, claw and shoulder and all” (393-395). What is happening in this quote is that Beowulf had ripped off Grendel’s arm, ending the long, gruesome battle. Therefore, Beowulf’s epic hero trait of having supernatural strength can be seen from the way he ripped off Grendel’s impenetrable arm. Also, the story says, “…For hours he sank through the waves…” (423). In this part of the story Beowulf is going underwater to defeat Grendel’s mom. This quote shows Beowulf’s epic trait by stating that it took Beowulf hours to sink underwater. No normal human being can hold their breath for hours underwater like Beowulf could. Through all of these comparisons it is obvious that Beowulf is a great epic hero with supernatural strength.
The way that Beowulf had divine intervention in his battles, also, shows that he was an epic hero. For example, the story stated, “… But fate, that night, intended / Grendel to gnaw the broken bones / Of his last human supper” (293-295). In this part of the story, the unknown author had foreshadowed Grendel’s and Beowulf’s battle, and how it would end in death for Grendel. This quote shows divine