It seems as if the decision to fight the terrorizer of the Danes wasn’t a difficult one to make- he simply embarked on the journey without much ado. He fearlessly arrives at Heorot and selflessly fights the great monster Grendel. Despite Beowulf’s lack of personal connections with Heorot, he still bravely defended the people and the great hall of Hrothgar. Grendel’s attacks were not Beowulf’s problem, but he willingly came to demolish the monster. The King of the Danes was dejected until Beowulf arrived, (Line 18) showing that Beowulf selflessly gave himself as a symbol of hope to the King and the people.
However, these rumours gave him no real reputation and he would have to prove his accolades in his battle with Grendel. Young geoguo warriors hearing the story during this time frame would relate to Beowulf who at one time had no reputation as a warrior. This is a key factor in early Anglo-Saxon life where gaining a reputation and honourably dying on the battle field were held very important, thus giving the geoguo the ability to easily
According to the Anglo-Saxon culture, there is a heroic code that demonstrates the qualities of a heroic individual. These qualities include being able to share feuds, hating peace, and have hospitality among other themes. Although many people may question Beowulf’s effectiveness as a hero, he proved that the heroic code is very broad and that there is not one specific way to demonstrate heroic qualities. At the beginning of Beowulf, a big, demon-like creature named Grendel who is described as a “God-cursed brute” (line 121), attacks Daneland and King Hrothgar’s newly built monument, Heorot. Heoret is a symbol for fortune and prosperity, however this demon is not allowing the Danes to celebrate in it.
The first time readers get a taste of Beowulf’s heroism he is preparing to fight Grendal, in order to protect a hall, lord, and people that are not his own. This reflects that Beowulf is not motivated by personal gain (considered heroic), but instead by a lingering luster for immortality. This appears prominent as name and fame often dominate his thoughts before battle, such as during the speech he gives before facing Grendal’s mother, “I shall gain glory or die”, suggesting that his prestige is worth more than his life. This courage and bravery in the face of death was not only an admirable trait of an Anglo-Saxon warrior, but it was
Beowulf went through his plan in his head like any good athlete would before a big game. As the Banquet continued to go on, Hrothgar thanked Beowulf and promised him credit if he did succeed. As a great hero, Beowulf will not use weapons in the fight against Grendel because Grendel does not use weapons. Another act of kindness don’t by Beowulf was when he goes after Grendel’s mother. Hrothgar is upset and the begged Beowulf to him again.
In the story of Beowulf there are many demonstrations of Beowulf’s superhuman strength, but there is one event that stands out the most. That event occurred during the battle of Beowulf and the monster Grendel, in which Grendel finally is defeated. “He twisted in pain,/ and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder/ snapped, muscle and bone split/and broke”(105-108). Beowulf is so strong, that he is able to rip Grendels arm off. Grendel is a big, evil monster who would kill humans, so it is no easy task ripping Grendels arm off.
An example of Beowulf representing this characteristics is when he battles Grendel. In the battle with Grendel, Beowulf overpowered him with just his hard hands, of great strength. In the epic it states “He twisted in pain, and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped, muscle and bone split and broke. The battle was over...” (pg. 43).
Beowulf could not fit the image, attitude, and qualities of an epic hero any more perfect. First, an epic hero may establish himself or herself through rigorous challenges. Any true epic hero would never back down from any challenge, as they want to establish themselves as the mightiest and the bravest. Beowulf shows this characteristic a multitude of times. The best example of Behold epic heroism is when he tells the story of his swimming challenge with Breca.
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.
Were it not for outside forces, he would have lived happily as Thane of Cawdor, an illustrious title in itself. Macbeth does not even want to kill King Duncan. He says “chance may crown me without my stir.” Fearing the withes message means that he will kill the king in the future, he says “Present fears are less than horrible imaginings.” Macbeth writes to his wife, telling her about the withes and how one prophecy has already come true. As soon as she hears about it, she calls on evil spirits to fill her full of cruelty so that she will the King if necessary. Macbeth, on the other hand, does not like a possible future by the withes prophecy: that he will kill his King.