Beowulf is aware of his duty, and whether he likes it or not, he is obligated to live for the sole purpose of winning battles and fighting monsters to save those who are weaker than he. In lines 2532-2535, Beowulf tells the people that it is up to him to fight the dragon: “This fight is not yours, / nor is it up to any man except me / to measure his strength against the monster / or to prove his worth.” He knows that he is the only one in the world who can battle such battles, and such knowledge most definitely alienates him from all others. Throughout his life he is set apart. There is no one who can truly relate or put themselves in his shoes. He has responsibilities he cannot forsake.
This paper will tell examples and reasoning of why Beowulf is all of these things. An epic hero is one that stands out among all the rest. Even after hearing many stories of Grendel’s wrath, he still planned to fight the best without any hesitation. The reader would believe this is an example of a very brave fighter. Beowulf shows his abilities and proves brave enough as he resolves to kill the “lady monster”, (excerpt page 40).
Beowulf was fearless of all opponents and fought to defend his fame and glory. Beowulf did not need to tell anyone that he was fearless; he showed them how fearless he was. Beowulf needed no sword or shield to protect him from Grendel when he killed Grendel with his own hands "My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster". Beowulf jumped in the water to fight Grendel's mourning mother, he did not know where he was going yet, he went for glory
Lines 115-116 quotes “Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar/ now when help was needed.” This explains thoroughly how Beowulf is daring and noble. Honest men fear neither the light nor the dark. Beowulf is willing to risk his life in order to earn fame by killing Grendel. Lines 357-358 quote, “From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it was the monsters/ arm, claw and shoulder and all.” Beowulf feels like a dynamic figure in the town. He has accomplished what no one could ever do!
This certainly characterizes Beowulf throughout the whole poem. In stanza 4, line 165, Beowulf states; “That I, alone and with the help of my men, May purge all evil from this hall. I have heard, too, that the monster's scorn of men, is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I. My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield: My hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster.” In this quote Beowulf is trying to convince the King of the Danes to let him defeat the monster Grendel.
Beowulf was fearless of all opponents and fought to defend his fame and glory. Beowulf did not need to tell anyone that he was fearless; he showed them how fearless he was. Beowulf needed no sword or shield to protect him from Grendel when he killed Grendel with his own hands "My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster". Beowulf jumped in the water to fight Grendel's mourning mother, he did not know where he was going yet, he went for glory and fame showing no fear. Beowulf displayed that he was very resourceful, as well as, the other traits listed.
He was also extremely arrogant. Beowulf decided to do what no other warrior would do, to go to Daneland and defeat the demon Grendel. He wanted to do this so that he would be viewed as a hero, instead of just a young, unproven warrior. He knew who he was, but he wanted the
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.
In the epic poem, the Anglo-Saxons value strength as a characteristic of a superior and great warrior. Beowulf throughout the entire story portrays this by fighting the battles with the monsters and by defeating them when no one else could or were too afraid to. The author states of how Beowulf and the other warriors are “greater/ and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world”(110-111). Beowulf was a powerful warrior who fit the idealistic of a warrior in an Anglo-Saxon society. When fighting with Grendel and Grendels mother he never needed the protection of armor or swords.
Not only does he dare to encounter frightening Grendel, but as the monster has no weapons, Beowulf chooses not to use any of them either. He is fearless and strong enough to trail Grendel’s mother to her lair and then crush her, winning a brilliant victory. He is loyal to king Hrothgar, paying back his father’s debts, and to king Hygelac and queen Hygd as well, sharing between them more than a half of his obtained treasures, thereby showing his generosity. After establishing a name for himself it’s time for an ideal hero to become more mature and reliable. And that’s what Beowulf does.