Beowulf possesses many of the traits of an archetypal epic hero; he is strong, humble, and willing to fight to death if necessary. One of the most obvious heroic traits of Beowulf’s is his strength, which is a vital feature in Anglo-Saxon heroes. Beowulf had the strength of thirty men and is blessed with strength beyond that of an ordinary man. Although strength is a key characteristic in defining an epic hero, it alone is not enough to define an epic hero (Greenfield 3). Along with strength, one must have other distinguishing traits to be considered an epic hero.
It was the best of all weapons so massive that no ordinary man can lift it. Beowulf was angry and desperate; he lifted the sword and struck with his entire strength Grendel’s mother. Cutting her head off, all that laid was her body with no head and no life. The last to his unordinary strength was when he had courage to fight the fire breathing dragon. He was an old man, he needed his armor and sword as the serpent looped and unleashed itself for Beowulf hold his ground.
Beowulf What does it mean to be considered an Anglo-Saxon hero? Anyone who was an Anglo- Saxon warrior was also considered an Anglo-Saxon hero. In the Anglo-Saxon times it was crucial to live by the Anglo-Saxon code. This epic poem Beowulf was passed down orally, generation to generation and has no known author. This epic poem illustrates the journey and hardship of one Anglo-Saxon warrior named Beowulf, who because of his journey became known as one of the respected heroes of the Anglo-Saxon times.
Beowulf originated in the Anglo Saxon era, is three thousand one hundred and eighty-two lines long, and is the most important of Old English Heroic Poems. An archetype is a very typical example of a certain person or thing. Beowulf has traits of archetypical heros and warriors. He has inhumane skills and strengths and has God sent supernatural abilities in order to complete his heroic tasks. Characteristics of the Anglo-Saxons are endless in the story of Beowulf that interest the mind but so few that change lives when internalized.
Only a giant and a strong-willed person can go through huge mountains and face wraths of the oceans, forest and conquer them all. That is what heroes do in life. They go through struggles and come out very strong. To conclude, Enkidu can be considered as a hero but Gilgamesh’s actions, his works contradicts that of Enkidu’s which makes many writers and readers proclaim Gilgamesh as the true hero in the story. Heroes do extraordinary things on their journeys to be crown as one.
He also has no problems killing animals for the days meal, or even going into battle to defend his rightful crown to be King of all of Denmark against Helge once his father dies. Beorn trusts no one - because to a Viking to let your guard down is certain death. Ness, the daughter
An epic hero is a brave and noble character from an epic poem. Beowulf is exactly that. Beowulf demonstrates most of those traits. Beowulf demonstrates an epic hero because he was charged with a quest, he had super strength, and traveled underwater to a supernatural world. These are just some of the values shared by the epic hero Beowulf.
Beowulf shows bravery in line 158 “… Death was errand.” He states that he will fight to his death. He will not back up from his fight with Grendel even if it might cost him his life. Beowulf also shows courage in line 154 “… I drove five great giants into chains.” By Beowulf’s statement he shows how he is not afraid of fighting anyone. Beowulf shows courage which makes him fit the image of an epic hero. Beowulf is also considered to be a leader.
On the other hand, it has human struggles and afflictions. Another trait of a Epic hero is they always seem to grab the attention of everyone in there surroundings no matter who or where they are. “In his far off home Beowulf, Higlacs follower and the strongest of the Geats greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world
The Anglo-Saxons believed that he had superhuman strength. Having superhuman strength is a major part of Beowulf characteristics for it was what set him apart from others throughout the poem. “Hands that moved thirty men’s strength,” Beowulf was praised for his strength. With his strength Beowulf is able to over come many obstacles that he encounters. Beowulf firsts shows this when he defeats Grendel in Herot, for the ring-giver Hrothgar in behalf of his king Higlac.