Mayra Vargas Period 3 Can’t Be Replaced Monster’s that can’t be harmed by a mortal’s weapon, or a battle against a fire breathing dragon; can you handle this alone? With your bare hands? Beowulf in many words is the archetypal epic hero in 4 characteristics. Beowulf is one of the very lucky, not only by being prince of the Geats but his story is being told from generations. A hero in a quest to fight for glory and the greater good of society.
In addition, in order for him to succeed he must orally deliver his resume. Nevertheless, bragging aside, Beowulf is undoubtedly a brave man. When Beowulf sets out to kill Grendel's mother he simply "donned his armor for battle, Heeded not the danger..." (1328-29 60). When his sword fails him he uses his physical strength: "On the might of his hand, as a man must do Who thinks to win in the welter of battle Enduring glory; he fears not death" (1420-23 62). Certainly he is in search of fame.
In the novel, Beowulf, the main character is the epitome of an epic hero. He has great strength, he is morally sound, and, for the most part, he thinks of others before he thinks of himself. Beowulf comes to the Geats’ aid when an evil monster named Grendel terrorizes their mead hall. He courageously defeats the monster and defeats the monster’s vengeful mother. Through these battles, Beowulf’s strength, humbleness and courageousness is revealed.
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, one of the main characters, Gawain, goes against the typical qualities of a hero. Heroes are stereotypically thought of as brave strong men who fight for their stance on a presented issue and also save the day by their actions. However, Gawain goes against this stereotype by making the poem feel like a lighthearted comedy about heroism as he faces hardships. In addition, another character that faces challenges as a hero of modern world is Shrek. Unlike the difficulties Gawain faced, Shrek has managed gaining his house back and fighting for the woman he falls for.
By acting so irrationally, Beowulf not only puts himself at risk, but also his entourage in danger. If Beowulf was a true leader, he would make the decisions that are safe, not the ones that will help him shine the brightest. Incidentally mentioned before, Beowulf makes the decisions that will make him most popular and heroic simply because he is self-centered. When he approached the king, before fighting Grendal’s mother, saying, “My famous sword stay in your hands,”
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.
The song tells us that "he had prospered from that before, the protector of warriors." He exemplifies physical strength when he tears off Grendel's arm, fights sea monsters all through Norway, and carries thirty suits of armor, swimming. Lastly courage correlates with strength but not enough that it can't be its own heroic quality. Beowulf shows his courage in a multitude of ways, whether it be from giving Wiglaf his armor or fighting Grendel. Although those are virtually the same, you can go deeper into the tasks and detail his courage.
Taking Hector’s life didn’t give Achilles satisfaction hence he ties his corpse to the chariot and desecrates his body for eleven days. Later on his realises that his barbaric actions were caused by the “grief” his was experiencing “before his hear was clogged with a smoky poison”. Somax, “ordinary carter” who has lost his wife and all his children, left only with his daughter-in-law and granddaughter, grieves in silence but he does experience few anger issues but it is only expressed on a few occasions only. He had “punched” his eldest son out of anger because he had questioned him. After that he had felt like “punching” Beauty “the beautiful mule” who had knocked his second son into the stream but “that wouldn’t have bought him back”.
Beowulf is a Hero Some heroes have to go through many obstacles just to become a great hero. Beowulf fought through three major battles for one group of people, and he didn’t use laser eyes, flying skills, and super strength. But like every hero, there’s always a reward after they complete their role. In the epic poem “Beowulf”, his use tactics such as being defend less and using his bear arm against Grendal. “If I hid behind some broad linden shield.
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.