Beowulf: An Example Of An Epic Hero

Improved Essays
Beowulf was an epic hero the sailed through storms fought monsters with his bare hands. He is the definition of epic. All but to be killed by his own darkness, his own mistake, his own lust for treasures. This story was about good vs evil, lust, monsters, death, and triumph. He exhibits all the examples of an epic hero bravery as he runs into battle with no self-concerns, strength by fighting evil monsters that kill and destroy, that are also twice his size. As it stars out there is a castle in Denmark it has a king named “Hrothgar”. The castle is being attacked by a vicious monster named “Grendel” a monster” banished by god, punished forever for the crime of ables death” pg.42. that hates the men at the castle because they are happy and …show more content…
Beowulf and fourteen of his bravest and strongest men were sleeping in the mead hall were Beowulf had sworn to “purge all the evil from this hall” with the beast lurking outside all of the castle. When Grendel strikes, snatching up one of the Geats and ripping him in half and drinking the blood from his veins. When Beowulf came awake from his rest, he battled the monster with his bare hands, then ripped if off Grendel ran off back to his cave and died. His mother found him dead and swore to avenge his …show more content…
Beowulf is now in his elder years and his strength Is beginning to leave him. A dragon comes and attacks his kingdom. Next, Beowulf and his men followed this dragon to find of course, it is hiding treasures in an old tower. Eventually, Beowulf approaches the door and a very large ball of fire hits the door and blow’s it apart sending Beowulf flying backwards wile fire continuously flying at him his sword slowly starts to melt until only the handle is left now all he has left is his dagger and his shield as the monster continues to spill Its fiery insides out onto the strong shield, but alas the shield cannot with stand the fiery blow of the dragon’s breath id begins to melt he lunges and stabs the monster but is hit with the wild flame being damaged beyond repair when all of his men saw this the great mighty Beowulf struck down in his old age they began to run even know they pledged their loyalty to him. When all seemed for not his mighty companion, Wiglaf, runs in to help stabbing the beast to hurry its death. Beowulf asks Wiglaf to get the treasure so he runs into the tower and grabs as much as he can carry when he returns to Beowulf he is close to death Wiglaf is crowned king and he rules the kingdom. Beowulf shows bravery even in his old age. Heroism by slaying the monsters that have been attacking the castle. Kindness by not only by sharing his

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    because the people are celebrating with music and loud noise. Grendel terrorizes the Danes every night, killing them and defeating their efforts to fight back. The Danes suffer many years of fear, danger and death at the hands of Grendel. However, Beowulf hears about Hrothgar’s problem that is going on the kingdom. Inspired by the challenge, Beowulf sails to Denmark with a small company of men, determined to defeat Grendel.…

    • 531 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Hero has given his people hope that they too can become as great of a man/warrior as he was. The reader’s even envision this as they read of Wiglaf come to the aid of his king against the dragon at the end of the poem. Wiglaf has learned the epic trait of loyalty from his leader. This example shows how Beowulf helped to push many people of the Anglo-Saxon Culture to become better than even they could have imagined. He has also taught the people that no matter what they receive or conquer, they should always give praise to their God.…

    • 1133 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Everyone face a difficult or dangerous situation in which you need to show courage in order to be able to deal with it. In the exert, there is a kingdom celebrating all their triumphs with the king, Hrothgar, in his hall, Heorot. There is this monster, Grendel, that never had the chance to be a nice person or experience happiness because he descended from Cain. Grendel killed 30 men in the hall while they were sleeping after celebrating.…

    • 488 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Beowulf however was unable to overcome his pride (as was Anglo-Saxon tradition) and eventually led him to death. When faced with his final battle against a deadly dragon, Beowulf decides to engage it despite his unfit state. During his final battle Beowulf enters the lair to “fight this battle alone and unaided” (756) ultimate securing his prideful death. Beowulf defeats the dragon but it deathly wounded in the battle and upon his last requests take pride in the treasure he earned by defeating the…

    • 1337 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Wiglaf wanted to help his King and repay him for everything Beowulf had done for him in the past. Although Beowulf dies, Wiglaf was able to stay by his side through it all and make his death a less stressful…

    • 1174 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf starts his epic journey by stumbling upon Denmark, ruled by King Hrothgar. The Danes are troubled by an evil monster named Grendel, who shows up every night to the Mead-Hall, Heorot, after the Danish warriors are passed out from drinking, and kills them. Due to the king's older age, Beowulf steps in to help the people of the town, explaining to the King that he owes him for helping his father. Beowulf shows courage standing up to Grindel and the will to fight for the people of Denmark. Beowulf is ready for Grindel to show up the night night and begins to fight him in hand to hand combat.…

    • 472 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The epic poem Beowulf tells a story of a hero coming from a different land to lift the shroud of evil off Herot. Hero’s in an epic poem must exemplify traits of bravery, strength, courage, and the want to achieve immortality through heroic actions and deeds. In the poem Beowulf the main character Beowulf exemplifies all of these traits. Bravery, all epic heroes possess this trait especially Beowulf. The beginning of the story, Grendel travels into Herot and kills thirty people.…

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Pagan Criticism Of Beowulf

    • 700 Words
    • 3 Pages
    • 1 Works Cited

    Beowulf loses his good judgement and chooses to risk his life fighting again the dragon. He does not consider how his kingdom will be like without him. Beowulf does not receive God’s help in this fight, possibly because he is presumptuous and arrogant about his strength. However, Beowulf receives the help of his trusted companion, Wiglaf (2597-2604), which suggest that Beowulf still deserves a victory for all the good deeds he has done. Beowulf manages to kill the dragon, but he dies soon after “violently” (2783).…

    • 700 Words
    • 3 Pages
    • 1 Works Cited
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Beowulf In the three battles Beowulf fought, he justified the characteristics of an epic hero. Being a hero does not mean a person is consummate, like Beowulf he had many flaws. Beowulf was superhuman in strength, bravery, and responsibility. Beowulf was known by many of Geatland for his great accomplishments.…

    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    School Shooting Causes Victims to Listen Do school shootings cause people to stop and think about why it happened? Most of the time when a person does not feel heard, they will act out in a way to get people's attention. The causes of school shooting; bullying, hate, and mental illness. Undoubtedly, bullies are the main problem with school shooting with the victims of bullying that suffer from it everyday or almost everyday.…

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The fire from the dragon 's mouth melts the contribution from the king made beowulf useless of his weapon. Now beowulf is defenceless but still he continues to fight; beowulf gets bit by the dragon leaving him on his deathbed from the poisonous dragon. Before dying Beowulf tells Wiglaf to go and get the treasure to bring it back to him. So Wiglaf goes and gets the treasure and comes back; Beowulf then tells Wiglaf that he is to be the next king because he stood by him. Beowulf then dies and Wiglaf returns to the kingdom and becomes king bringing back Beowulf 's body to be buried in a above ground cemetery facing the ocean.…

    • 1169 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He lets his desire for power take control of him. He lies to everyone about slaying Grendel’s mother and instead makes a deal with her for the throne. When Beowulf finally dies, he dies realizing the mistakes he made. He tells Wiglaf not to remember him as a king, but as a man who had…

    • 802 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Anglo-saxon epic Beowulf, the oldest surviving epic in the world, has been told and retold by the word of mouth throughout England for hundreds of years. In the epic Beowulf sails to Denmark to aid Hrothgar in getting rid of a menace that has been terrorizing herot for over a decade. Throughout the epic Beowulf shows many qualities of an epic hero. Beowulf proves to be an epic hero through his…

    • 871 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Beowulf: The Absolute Epitome of an Epic Hero Throughout history there have been many literary works that portray an epic hero, defeating the supernatural and displaying great courage in difficult situations. Beowulf, written during the Anglo-Saxon time period, depicts the perfect example of the epic hero through the main character. Beowulf is considered an ideal model due to the characteristics given to the protagonist. The legendary warrior, Beowulf, accepted fatalism and accomplished significant tasks in order to save others from malevolent forces.…

    • 1165 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    What Makes an Epic Hero? The story Beowulf is England’s earliest masterpiece originated from the Anglo-Saxon poem. Beowulf is considered as the longest and greatest surviving Anglo-Saxon poem. Through Beowulf we can understand what the Anglo-Saxons valued.…

    • 1034 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays

Related Topics