Through these battles, Beowulf’s strength, humbleness and courageousness is revealed. These are characteristics that are crucial in defining an epic hero. However, every epic hero has a tragic flaw. Beowulf’s tragic flaw is his pride. His tragic flaw is evident throughout the novel thinking he can win them all.
No person can ever surpass his greatness for Beowulf expected nothing in return but fame and reverence, aspects he certainly deserved. Any of whom who come to mourn, know this; Beowulf did not die for nothing, he died protecting his people, that alone is something to respect him for. “Thus Beowulf bore himself with valour; he was formidable in battle yet behaved with honour and took no advantage.” (2177-2179) Beowulf is not just good at fighting – he's also morally good. He doesn't take undue advantage of his enemies or his friends. But that's almost an afterthought; it's much less important to the storyteller than his prowess in
The first reason why Grendel is portrayed as evil in Beowulf is because he is categorized with Cain. It is told in the the Bible that Cain was the first murderer in the world. He killed his brother because he was jealous, and thus God condemned him and made him an outcast from the rest of the world. Being that the epic poem Beowulf was written in the Anglo-Saxon time period, everyone was very religious. One of the worst things to be associated with at that time (and still is today) is with fratricide, or the killing of a brother (Grendel).
But most heroes tactics, weapons, and courage to become heroes. Beowulf did a great job in putting these three abilities together, which basically made him an epic hero. He didn’t fight for his survival; he fought for the survival of his people, which is why he sacrifices his life at the end so his people could have a
The main cause to the battle was that Grendel was terrorizing and killing every one of the Danes, Grendel just would not leave the king alone. The battle had taken place in the land far from ours where the king laid his head at night; the castle was where everything happened. Grendel came at me with all his might we just fought and fought then he came at me again I took his hand and broke a finger then I guess that wasn’t enough so then I broke his arm. After I broke his arm he ran off to cry and die alone because I defeated him. The defeat of Grendel was basically everything to the king; Hrothgar had lost his honor, his kingdom, and his faith so when I came back to him with Grendel’s arm to hang to say he is dead was the priceless moment of happiness for the king and
Beowulf has come to Hrothgar’s kingdom to kill Grendel, who has been haunting the kingdom and no warrior could defeat him. Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physical strength. He fought in numerous battles and returned victorious from all. Beowulf’s battle with Grendel was a great one, he fought Grendel with nothing but his bare hands and emerged victorious by ripping off Grendel’s arm, “so hard, they all said, that not even the sharpest of swords could have cut it through, broken it off the monster’s arm and ended its life, as Beowulf had done armed with only his bare hands.” Beowulf’s strength is a key part to is heroism; After Beowulf killed Grendel he went to battle his mother because she was seeking revenge for her son’s death. Beowulf succeeds in slaying Grendel’s mother by chopping off her head, he then carries her head back with ease while it takes four regular men to lift her head.
Beowulf Beowulf is an ideal hero in this time. He personifies extraordinary strength, courage, loyalty and a seeming indifference to death. Insomuch, it is those very same qualities that lead him to an impressive amount of pride in himself, which could quite possibly cause the demise of the kingdom he had ruled for fifty years. Beowulf displays his first traits as a hero in the passage [The Hero Comes to Heorot] (197-198) where he is described as “like no one else alive” and “the mightiest man on earth.” It is also in this passage, that he announces his intentions to save Heorot from Grendel (199-201). When he is speaking to Hrothgar, he tells him that his people have supported his decision to come and
An example of Grendel killing the innocent people around him is, when Beowulf’s warriors are sleeping Grendel sneaks into the room, attacks the men and tares them to pieces. Throughout the years Grendel has been attacking the innocent people and staying away from the great mead hall where the men gather, sing, and drink. The horrible
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.
Beowulf The Anglo-Saxons were pagan people who believed in no life after death. However, they believed that you can live on forever in stories based on how you live. Some Anglo-Saxons attempt to achieve the goal of living on forever, but in order for them to reach this goal they must become a great man. Yet, this was no easy task because they must have bravery; courage and honor. These are all features of hero and there are two types of hero called an archetypal hero and a epic hero.