Epic Challenges In Beowulf

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The perfect example of an anglo-saxon poem that displays true actions and duties as an epic hero would be Beowulf. Throughout this epic poem, Beowulf encounters many challenges that he manages to overcome in order to save his people. Beowulf is called upon to defeat 3 monsters, which is Grendel, his mother and a Dragon. During these battles, Beowulf displayed his knowledge, honor and courage in all 3 battles and obtains the honor of being called a hero.
The hero, Beowulf had gotten word that it was a monster that was terrorizing the people of Herot. The monster known as Grendel would seek to kill everyone that was in Herot and nobody was able to defeat this monster. Grendel had cleared Herot and killed 30 soldiers and decorated the walls with …show more content…
He returned to the city and became the king of the Geats and ruled for over 50 years. Trouble occurs when a dragon is summoned and began to cause chaos to the people. Beowulf is left with no choice but to go and defeat the Dragon that is threatening his people. When Beowulf and his soldiers go to slay the dragon they all flee at the sight of the dragon, leaving nobody but Beowulf and Wiglaf to battle the dragon by themselves. As Beowulf is battling this dragon, he is bitten by the dragon causing deathly injuries to Beowulf. The dragon obtained poisonous blood that would guarantee death to anyone that fell victim to it. As Beowulf was indeed injured, and about to die, it was up to Wiglaf to slay the dragon, which he did. With the dragon gone, the Geates were safe and could remain to live in peace. Before Beowulf died, he requested to Wiglaf that a barrow be made in honor of Beowulf. Beowulf named Wiglaf the king of the Geates and he later went back to retrieve the treasures that were in the cave along with the dragon.
The great and honorable, Beowulf has been proved worthy to be classified as an epic hero. Traits such as Courage, Devotion, Loyalty and Champion of freedom are all examples of an epic hero. Beowulf himself has faced many challenges throughout his journey and none of them would have been possible if he didn't have these traits to aid him. These battles that Beowulf were in all strained his hope and left him defenseless

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