Who Is Beowulf A Hero

The Anglo-Saxon’s lived in a time where kinship, bravery, and pride were of utmost importance. They believed that the ideal leader would be a strong and capable person, someone almost godlike. Beowulf was the epitome of what the Anglo-Saxon’s desired. As depicted in Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, the qualities that would be most admired by his society included determination, confidence, and superhuman strength. As previously noted, Beowulf is a determined hero. Determination is a trait that the Anglo-Saxons admired because this offered a form of hope for the people. It is this determination that leads Beowulf to Heorot to help the Danes against Grendel. In this case, Beowulf came to the save the Danes and slaughtered Grendel in battle. In another instance, Beowulf was near the end of his life, but was still determined to fight for his people and slay the dragon. He makes it through most of the battle on his own, but with the help of …show more content…
Being strong is a sign of stability, however, Beowulf is unbelievably strong. Beowulf has many moments in which he showcases his strength, one example is shown when he rips off Grendel’s arm and inevitably kills him. As shown in Beowulf, “The monster's whole / body was in pain, a tremendous wound / appeared on his shoulder. Sinews split / and the bone-lappings burst. Beowulf was granted / the glory of winning; Grendel was driven / under the fen-banks, fatally hurt, / to his desolate lair.” (814-820). His superhuman strength is what makes him a formidable hero and gains him a following. In addition, he slays a dragon by himself and a sea monster. He defeated more monsters than any other hero of this time, which placed him on a pedestal for the greatest of heroes. His strength is represented through his various acts of perseverance and confidence, and this strength is what makes him seem like a more capable leader and a hero to the Anglo-Saxon