A true hero does not fear death or, but instead risks all that he is for what he believes to be right, moral. Beowulf is an epic and tells the story of a legendary hero, conquering all obstacles as if he was immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf’s life he was constantly looking to be the hero. However, his humanity is exposed by his death. Heroes all share the characteristic of their willingness to die in their effort to accomplish their heroic act, thus making the act in itself heroic.
Many people recognize Beowulf as the hero of Anglo-Saxon time due to amazing strength and courage. Thou he had hero like qualities, Beowulf could also be considered a selfish hero because his speech, thoughts, and actions showed that he would do anything to succeed. Throughout a few defeated battles Beowulf justified his loses to make him look more successful. Beowulf relied on his own destinies so much that is let him to Denmark to fulfill his "Destiny" and kill a known unbeatable monster named "Grendel". Thou he doesnt know the true outcome of his beliefs he wasnt conscious of his own or other peoples lives but instead focused on his natural wanted defeat.
“The Heroism of Beowulf” In this poem, Beowulf is a hero. A hero is someone who takes a chance by performing acts of kindness. Beowulf was no just a hero because of his physical strength, but because he gave his glory to God. Beowulf is the top hero who put his life on the line for a whole kingdom. Beowulf’s heroism is shown when he takes fourteen brave men in his land to help Hrothgar.
From the very beginning of the play there are allusions to what he ideal man is supposed to be like. In the first scene, Macbeth is characterized as the quintessential man. He is strong and courageous and battle, a characteristic that is seen by many to be ideal. He fights for his country and the love of his king. “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name—/ Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel/ Which smoked with bloody execution/ Like valor’s minion carved out his passage” (I, i, 16-19).
Nina Ybarra Mr. Butler English 12CP 1-27-2015 Beowulf the Epic Hero A true hero does not fear death and will risk all that he is to protect people from great danger. Beowulf is an epic hero and tells a great story about a legend who overcomes all difficulties; almost as if he was immortal. All heroes share their characteristics of their preparedness to die, this is what marks their actions heroic. Throughout the epic Beowulf exhibits various characteristics that makes him an epic hero. One of the characteristics Beowulf demonstrations is his capability of deeds of great strength and courage.
Evil can be expressed by whatever the Hero in those times was fighting. In Beowulf, the Geatish hero by the name of Beowulf is a strong and able warrior who is willing to fight or die for valor. His main purpous is to eradicate the evil Grendel by all means necessary. “The Valor of a hero can only be proved by their fighting against tremendous and terrifying adversaries, with the universe crashing about them, the sun darkened, the stars falling from their places, flames playing against the sky itself, the earth sinking into the sea” (Phillpotts). This gives an explanation of what evil was looked at upon in Anglo-Saxon times.
He travels far and wide, telling tales of his exploits and undertaking new challenges in the name of his king. Beowulf is a hero because he puts himself in harm's way for the benefit of others. Beowulf's first heroic exploit is his selfless defense of Heorot from the rampages of Grendel. Although Heorot is not his own hall, Beowulf is willing to protect its people and possibly die in the attempt. Upon arriving in Heorot, Beowulf announces, "And so, my request...is that you won't refuse me, who have come this far, the privilege of purifying Heorot.” (Lines 427-431).
A tragic hero, defined by Aristotle, is a man of noble stature who rises to a great height and then loses everything due to a unique tragic flaw that is present within. From the outset of John Milton’s Paradise Lost the character of Satan exhibits many heroic aspects, which set the stage for the reader’s favorable impression of his nature. How could one possibly associate the idea of heroism and it’s attributes with Satan, Father of Lies and Man’s Tempter? If one can put faith and Catholic doctrine aside, Milton’s portrayal of the character of Satan proves to be radically contradictory to actual reality. In the poem Satan is presented as a superior being fallen from grace due to a flaw of envy within himself.
In the beginning of the work, he loses one of his men to Grendel, but in the end, he dies for his people. Beowulf also has selfish intentions when going to kill Grendel; he hopes to gain fame for his heroic act and live forever for it. However, Beowulf also has a good purpose in trying to help the people haunted by Grendel. Beowulf emerges as a hero with great leadership skills and is offered kingship, but turns it down because he does not believe he is the rightful king. He shows that he is selfish, but caring; confident, but humble; and worthy, but true.
This character is brought upon conflicts and challenges by inhuman creatures that threaten his existence and the perseverance of his culture. In the epic poem, Beowulf battles a monster named Grendel. This adversary and his conflicts are an allusion to the war against the fall of the Anglo-Saxon society, their values and morals. In some ways, Beowulf reminds the reader of the heroes in today's world. He has superior physical strength, he is ethical, and he risks his life to save others whose lives are in danger.