The Importance Of An Epic Hero Of Beowulf

Improved Essays
Beowulf is a larger than life character who perfectly defines what it means to be an epic hero. More importantly, Beowulf demonstrates every single one of the Anglo Saxon’s morals and values that they attempted to live by on a daily basis. He is brave and is revered for his great achievements. Bravery and honor were extremely significant attributes among the Anglo Saxon people. Also, loyalty was a trait they perceived to be of the utmost importance among the warriors of their culture. In addition to the concept of loyalty, Anglo Saxons also valued reputation. A warrior’s reputation was extremely important because they wanted to be seen by all as brave and courageous. All Anglo Saxons strived to be respected and have renown across the land. Many of these values affected the daily life of Anglo Saxons because each succeeding day could result in a struggle for their life and the livelihood of their people. Anglo Saxons also believed in the concept of …show more content…
He is a celebrated character who is respected and revered for his significant achievements. Beowulf embodied the values of an epic hero because he displayed all the traits of heroism that were pivotal among the Anglo-Saxon culture. Beowulf proved he valued honor and bravery in combat numerous times. He felt as though all of his endeavors were guided by fate. Whether it be success or failure, Beowulf knew the outcome was subject to fate. Beowulf proved his loyalty to his men with self-sacrifice throughout the poem. Beowulf also later proved that he valued loyalty in his warriors and rewarded those who showed loyalty to him. Reputation remained a major theme throughout the poem. Anglo Saxons sought to be honored by all. Beowulf was honored and revered above all other warriors. Beowulf was the personification of everything the Anglo-Saxons valued in a warrior: honor, bravery, loyalty, a flawless reputation and the belief in an ultimate

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    All people have values and morals they try to live up to in their lives. During the Anglo- Saxon period, people had to live up to certain values of strength, generosity, courage, bravery, and chivalry. The values are enduring ly present in the epic poem, "Beowulf", which is set during the Anglo-Saxon period. "Beowulf" is a prime example of an epic poem displaying Anglo-Saxon values. " Beowulf" is considered an epic for many reasons.…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In the poem Beowulf, the main character Beowulf shows strength, courage, and leadership. Throughout the poem, Beowulf personifies Anglo-Saxon honor and acts accordingly in all of his interactions with others. Beowulf is heroic in his deeds, wise in his leadership, and always follows the honor code. This honor code was extremely important in Anglo-Saxon society and one of the main themes of the poem explores the negative consequences of not following the code. The monster Grendel exemplifies everything considered dishonorable in Anglo-Saxon society.…

    • 1509 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf has many qualities that portray him as an epic hero. He has a strong desire to protect the Dane and Geat Kingdoms. Beowulf has a sense of duty when he chooses to fight Grendel due to the friendship that his father and King Hrothgar share. He has a strong sense of confidence that allows him to go into battle with determination. “Alone now with Grendel.…

    • 757 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Historical Context In the epic story of Beowulf it reflex to an Old Norse Culture. It was written between 8th century and 11th century in England and it is one of the most important poems in old English literature. The Reflection from the epic story to Old Norse Culture, all men must be fearless, strong, full body armor, and kill enemies and monsters in traditional battle. The Character Beowulf is a perfect example to meet all the expectations in Old Norse culture.…

    • 1754 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf's Loyalty Quotes

    • 808 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Nicholas Reynolds Professor Dow ENG 215-001 7 October 2014 Beowulf’s Loyalty The chivalric code in the Middle Ages stressed the importance of humility, integrity, loyalty, piety, and honesty. In the epic poem Beowulf, our hero does not fall short of these virtues. Throughout the poem, Beowulf demonstrates qualities that embody the ideals of his culture. Beowulf sails to the Danes to help them slay a monster and its terrifying mother.…

    • 808 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He never lost a battle or challenge and everyone knew his name. Beowulf exemplifies the archetypal epic hero in four ways His characteristics show he is on a quest, performs brave deeds, has superior/ super human strength and is intelligent and courageous, and is significant and glorified. I think the biggest epic hero quality that Beowulf exemplifies is he was always on a quest. The biggest and first quest Beowulf went on was his quest to kill the mead hall monster whose name was Grendel. The king had had trouble with Grendel coming into the mead hall in the middle of the night and killing every person who had passed out, except the king because his throne was protected by God, for many years.…

    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf is an epic poem revolved around the theme good versus evil and how Beowulf is considered a hero. To begin with an epic poem is a narrative about heroic deeds. Beowulf demonstrates this by Going on the hero's journey. He is brave and skilled warrior that once hearing of Grendel's destruction goes to slay him. In the narrative Beowulf, warriors follow the heroic code: having strength, courage, generosity, and honor.…

    • 1757 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    They value Battles, Heroes, and Heroes who win the battle and protects the people, and heroes who fight constantly and die with honor. The story Beowulf is an epic poem which contains all of the following which made it very popular. Beowulf, the main character of the story, is an example of an epic hero because of his amiable traits, performing deeds and exemplifying morals that are valued by the society. Two of the ways Beowulf of the Beowulf takes on the role of an epic hero is by protecting…

    • 1034 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In Beowulf, Beowulf, the main character, is regarded as a hero. He is known throughout the Land of the Danes and the Land of the Geats as fearless and courageous when he comes to their aid to help slay Grendel, Grendel’s mom, and a Dragon. Beowulf’s heroism is exemplified in two phases: the first is youthful heroism and the second is mature heroism, once he is crowned King. Throughout his life, Beowulf helped not only his own people, but also those in other lands. People look up to him for his great strength and the ability to never back down from a challenge, even when he knows fate might bring him to his death.…

    • 1127 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf, an epic poem composed around 750 AD (Greenblatt 26), is a story of a Dane named Beowulf and his astonishing feats of bravery and sacrifice. Beowulf’s actions showcase his strength, sacrifice, honor, faultlessness, courage, compassion, and seemingly inborn, infallible behavior. Even onlookers termed him “stout of heart” (Beowulf 338), “noble” (314), and “formidable” (370). Beowulf is a quintessential hero who lived a for the good of others and died for the good of others. The moral throughout the story of Beowulf is that self-sacrifice is an overt trait of the classic hero figure.…

    • 1372 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Theme Of Fame In Beowulf

    • 1356 Words
    • 6 Pages

    All highly acclaimed fighters and leaders present in Beowulf, embody the characteristics found most praiseworthy by the Anglo Saxons. As demonstrated throughout the epic poem Beowulf, fame is the most virtuous goal that can be reached, and is only achieved by the strongest and most selfish warriors in the Anglo Saxon society. Lof, which in Anglo Saxon times meant fame after death, is the driving force for warriors to brashly risk their lives in order to be seen as the best. No matter the challenge a warrior faces or how difficult it may be, “he who can earn it should fight / for the glory of his name; fame after death / is the noblest of goals” (1387-1389). In Anglo Saxon culture, shying away from a task is seen as form of cowardice, and it brings dishonor onto one’s race.…

    • 1356 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    His inclination to want to aid others and his commendable reputation makes him the embodiment of an idol for his people. Beowulf exemplifies the qualities of an epic hero due to his immense bravery,…

    • 1165 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The story of Beowulf is considered an epic poem, which means that the main character is a hero who travels great distances to show his strength and succeeds in many trials even against the supernatural. The Anglo-Saxon period is one that lasted six hundred years, from 410 to 1066 and this is the time period that the epic poem of Beowulf is set in. The Anglo-Saxon period had a definite culture that went along with it and this particular culture is reflected throughout Beowulf in many ways. The people of Anglo-Saxon society had definite values that represented their culture. The way the culture is reflected is by the way that Beowulf carries himself, with humility, dignity, and loyalty, the way Beowulf keeps his status through heroic acts of…

    • 917 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Human Traits In Beowulf

    • 1369 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Throughout literature, every culture has created their own idea of the perfect man and hero. These cultures were trying to formulate a man who could fight in wars, slay dragons, and rule a country all at the same time. For the Anglo-Saxon people, this ideal hero meant a hero that housed superhuman abilities, the bravery of a lion, a royal background, and glory beyond belief. From the time the reader meets Beowulf; he exhibits the Anglo-Saxon qualities of an epic hero that include superhuman abilities, above average bravery, and excessive glorification of his deeds.…

    • 1369 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf Heroism

    • 737 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The topic for today is Beowulf as a hero. Beowulf, an epic poem composed in approximately 750 AD (Greenblatt 26), is a story of a Dane named Beowulf and his astonishing feats. Beowulf is a quintessential hero. He shows a copious amount of the overt traits such as bravery, strength, sacrifice, honor, faultlessness, courage, compassion, and being all-around impeccable. To further drive home Beowulf’s innate heroism, other characters almost always refer to how heroic he is.…

    • 737 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays