Beowulf: Aspects of a Hero

Beowulf: Aspects of a Hero

A hero fears not, death, nor destruction of his own being, but instead risks all that he is, for what he believes to be right, moral, and just. Beowulf was during the Anglo-Saxon era, when heroic deeds and loyalty to one’s leader were traits of a person that lived on forever. Beowulf is an epic and tells the story of a legendary hero, conquering all obstacles as though he was immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf’s life he was constantly looking to be the hero. However, his mortality is exposed by his death. Heroes all share the characteristic of their willingness to die in their attempt to accomplish their heroic act, thus making the act in itself heroic. Throughout the epic, Beowulf in many ways exhibited all the qualities and characteristics needed to be a true hero. Even though he is famous for his massive strength, Beowulf has other attributes that are noticeable other than his strength. These attributes, arrogance, bravery, and a strong love for his people are what make Beowulf become such a powerful, epic hero. Beowulf is one of the most powerful epic heros because of his accomplishments, personality, and his strengths.
Beowulf’s accomplishments coincide directly with parts of beowulfs personality. Beowulf boasts about his many battles, and is proud of himself for winning all of them. One of these accomplishments is the battle in the water when he meets up with nine sea monsters which he kills, and fights with a monster that is digging its jaws into Beowulf’s flesh. Beowulf proclaims that “ I fought that beast’s last battle, left it floating in the sea” (page ?). This epic tale reads that while Beowulf is in battle with Grendel’s mother, all he cares was about the fame he would get for defeating her. Unferth thinks that Beowulf was arrogant, by saying, “ You’re Beowulf, are you the same boastful fool who fought a swimming match with Brecca” (page ?).
Beowulf has a very strong personality that can cloud one’s view of whether or not he is a hero or not....

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