Beowulf Being An Epic Hero

Essay 1: Rough Draft alous of the supernatural capabilities Beowulf had. The epic hero has to be unique, filled with compassion and must be loyal to the organization or group in which he belongs. I will examine how Beowulf defeats Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and finally defeats the dragon and how all of these elements contribute to Beowulf’s being an epic hero. In each of the fights: I will examine how Beowulf’s physical and mental strength is tested, how he is considered a hero for various reasons concerning each fight separately and how after each fight he becomes weaker in relation to gradual changes within himself. To do so, however, I will use credible resources and also analyze the poetry in detail. Beowulf’s youth and age plays …show more content…
Any mom would not be pleased to hear that some person defeated her son without a reputation prior to defeating her son. As a result of the death of her son, she goes on a rampage which leads Beowulf to suit up again. The fight that Beowulf was to encounter would truly test his strength, especially with him being out of his comfort zone. Beowulf was not comfortable being in water and being in someone else’s territory, which he why he is considered to be out of his element. Since he lost the swimming contest against Unferth, he felt the need to prove himself by going into the swamp. He was willing to accept the challenge to go in the swamp and attempt to defeat Grendel’s mother because, Unferth told the people that he had lost a swimming competition. Beowulf went under the swamp, into an area in which he was unfamiliar and vulnerable. He eventually was able to defeat her after such a fight of great struggle. He keeps the trophy of this monster for the celebration that is soon to come. The first fight was much easier for Beowulf, but this fight he really had to endure until the end. He seemed to be getting a bit tired and his strength seemed to fade throughout this fight. This fight seemed to have taken a great deal of his energy, seeing, that if it were not for the armor he would have been killed. When Beowulf entered the swamp he …show more content…
Beowulf did not require the use of weapons to defeat the two monsters he came in contact with. Beowulf realized that Grendel did not use weapons, so he wanted to do the same. Wiglaf was the only one that was brave enough to risk his life in assisting Beowulf with defeating the dragon. He reminded the other other 10 retainers of the promises they made to the king, but fear would not allow them to assist. He felt that in order for the fight to be fair, he would have to fight at least in the same manner that Beowulf does. If he was to use weapons, he felt as though Hygelac, would not be pleased with him fighting in any other manner. Beowulf takes pride in having got rid of various sea monsters and giants that roamed throughout the earth. He understands and knows his strength and is confident within himself to defeat this monster. The power that Beowulf possesses is unlike any other than a human possesses, powers beyond the strength of man. In every battle he must prove himself over again that he is a mighty warrior. Beowulf’s not using weapons proved to the people the more that he is indeed a hero. Beowulf’s courage and selflessness allowed him to defeat the monsters as he being to get weaker throughout each other fights. Beowulf has aged over the years; it is 50 years later when he fights the dragon. He has gone from a warrior to now being an old king. The act of