Beowulf Epic Hero Essay

Beowulf is an Old English epic story believed to be written somewhere between the 8th and 11th century in England, making it one of the oldest existing long poems. Beowulf, the main character, is a man of extraordinary stature that saves the Hrothgar and his people, the Danes, from the vicious monster known as Grendel. After Beowulf defeats Grendel, he clashes with Grendel’s mother and the evil dragon. Beowulf shows characteristics of an epic hero through traits of being brave, strong, and intelligent. Beowulf comes in to assist the desperate king from the terrible Grendel that has been ravaging his mead hall for twelve years. With no questions asked, Beowulf makes a plan to destroy this evil monster. Bravery is a great characteristic to describe Beowulf, no challenge is too big for this heroic man. Before Beowulf arrived the Danes were terrified day in and day out of Grendel. The energy changed massively when Beowulf showed up, they bought into what he was telling them and they believed Grendel could be defeated. Beowulf then faces Grendel’s mother and kills her while fighting under water. Last Beowulf shows tremendous amounts of bravery …show more content…
The night Grendel attacks, the men act as if they are sleeping, when he reaches for Beowulf he gets a big surprise. Beowulf grabs back and starts fighting Grendel. Grendel has never fought a man of this strength, Beowulf decides to fight this monster bare handed and ends up ripping off one of Grendel’s arms, leaving him scurrying away in shock. The men are ecstatic and hang his arm as a trophy. Grendel’s mother does not take this too kindly and attacks the mead hall the following night, Beowulf follows her home and fights her once again, defeating her and bringing Grendel’s head back as another trophy. Fifty years have passed and it is time for the much older Beowulf to fight the dragon, his strength lasts and is still enough to bring down the fierce