Beowulf Essay

521 Words3 Pages
Beowulf What are the characteristics that make a hero? There is no guideline book defining exactly what a hero is/does. The old English poems and stories are full of heroic warriors and gods. Such as the hero of the Geats and son of Ecgtheow, Beowulf, a warrior and hero like no other. His quest, bravery, and superhuman strength made him the hero he was. * Beowulf generously went on quests and almost always succeeded. His quest to aid Hroogar, the king of Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by a monster known as Grendel. Grendel was depicted as a giant and feared by all but Beowulf. Therefore, Beowulf proudly helps Heorot and slays Grendel. Just as he thought his quest was over Grendel’s mother attacks the hall and also had to be defeated by Beowulf. Finally, Beowulf goes home to Geatland in Sweden and eventually becomes king of the Geats. Beowulf is defined a hero because he is willing to help others by going on quests. * When he finally arrives in Heorot he is confronted with an opposition. The king at the time before Beowulf was named king, Hrothgar, allows Beowulf to fight because he knew Beowulf’s father and Hrothgar saved him from a feud. Unfortunately, Unferth a man who is jealous of Beowulf tells a story about him losing a contest with his friend. It turned out that they were at sea for five days and that Beowulf had to battle a monster underwater. After explaining the situation Beowulf says a really great line: “Fate often saves an un-doomed man when his courage is good.” Showing that Beowulf battles his enemies with pride and tells Hrothgar that he will “fulfill the will of your people or else fall in slaughter, fast in foes grasp. I shall achieve a deed of mainly courage or else have lived to see in his mead hall my ending day.” This is a huge example of Beowulf’s bravery because of what is being stated. Beowulf is

More about Beowulf Essay

Open Document