Slaying Monsters for Fun and Fame: The Epic Hero Beowulf
During the Anglo-Saxon period between 449 and 1066, the Anglo-Saxons passed down the epic Beowulf. Beowulf tells the tale of a hero from Geatland, traveling around the world, battling various monsters. The portions of Beowulf that are most famous are the battles with Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. Throughout these tales, Beowulf, shows various traits that the Anglo-Saxons admired, such as courage, fame, and heroism. Beowulf, is an epic hero because of his honorable personal indebtedness, his superior superhuman strength, his risking his life to protect his people, and his desire for fame.
A major characteristic of Beowulf is his personal indebtedness. Beowulf's father, Edgetho, …show more content…
His people boast about him being "stronger than anyone else in the world" (Beowulf, Collections l. 111). This strength is very apparent during his battle with Grendel. While the two titans clash, Beowulf gets ahold of Grendel's shoulder and "snap[s] muscle and bone" (Beowulf, Collections l. 341). After tearing Grendel's arm off his body, Beowulf hangs the arm from the ceiling rafters in Herot. He continues to show his vigor during the battle with Grendel's mother. Grendel's mother had Beowulf near exhaustion: He [Beowulf] was weary, that best / And strongest of soldiers" (Beowulf, Collections ll. 498-499). Grendel's mother proves to be more powerful than Beowulf's previous opponent, Grendel. Towards the end of the murderous onslaught, Beowulf finds a giant sword "But so massive that no ordinary man could lift / It" (Beowulf, Collections ll. 516-517). However, Beowulf shows his fortitude and "[draws] [the sword] / From its scabbard" (Beowulf, Collections ll. 517-518), lifts the gigantic sword over his head, swings the magnificent blade in the direction of Grendel's mother's head and "cut [the neck] through, / Broke bones and all" (Beowulf, Collections ll. 522-523). Through all of Beowulf's boisterous battles, he displays his superhuman strength that no one else in the world can …show more content…
This trait stands out most before and during his final battle with the dragon. Apparently, this reptilian beast has been terrorizing Beowulf's people for quite some time. Beowulf has no choice but to go and face this new opponent. When Beowulf addresses this threat, he states that he "mean[s] to stand, not run from his [the Dragon's] shooting flames" (Beowulf, Close Reader ll. 14 & 16). Beowulf heads out to duel with no fear; when he reaches the Dragon's den, the two face off: "The beast came closer; both of them / [Are] ready, each set on slaughter" (Beowulf, Close Reader ll. 54-55). Beowulf and the Dragon commence battle and begin to destroy one another. However, Beowulf has been ruling over the Geats for fifty years, and is now old. Beowulf knows that he will most likely not survive this battle; however, he still faces this monster because he is the only one who can defeat him. Sadly, neither Beowulf nor the dragon survive the battle. Beowulf's final request is to have a tower built in his honor, forever securing his glory. Beowulf wants his ashes to be placed inside of the tower and for the building to be constructed along the coast, where sailors can see the glorious tomb. Beowulf wants the monument to be called "Beowulf's Tower." During his funeral, his people tell stories of their glorious king and "his greatness / Praising him for his heroic deeds" (Beowulf,
During the Anglo-Saxon period between 449 and 1066, the Anglo-Saxons passed down the epic Beowulf. Beowulf tells the tale of a hero from Geatland, traveling around the world, battling various monsters. The portions of Beowulf that are most famous are the battles with Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. Throughout these tales, Beowulf, shows various traits that the Anglo-Saxons admired, such as courage, fame, and heroism. Beowulf, is an epic hero because of his honorable personal indebtedness, his superior superhuman strength, his risking his life to protect his people, and his desire for fame.
A major characteristic of Beowulf is his personal indebtedness. Beowulf's father, Edgetho, …show more content…
His people boast about him being "stronger than anyone else in the world" (Beowulf, Collections l. 111). This strength is very apparent during his battle with Grendel. While the two titans clash, Beowulf gets ahold of Grendel's shoulder and "snap[s] muscle and bone" (Beowulf, Collections l. 341). After tearing Grendel's arm off his body, Beowulf hangs the arm from the ceiling rafters in Herot. He continues to show his vigor during the battle with Grendel's mother. Grendel's mother had Beowulf near exhaustion: He [Beowulf] was weary, that best / And strongest of soldiers" (Beowulf, Collections ll. 498-499). Grendel's mother proves to be more powerful than Beowulf's previous opponent, Grendel. Towards the end of the murderous onslaught, Beowulf finds a giant sword "But so massive that no ordinary man could lift / It" (Beowulf, Collections ll. 516-517). However, Beowulf shows his fortitude and "[draws] [the sword] / From its scabbard" (Beowulf, Collections ll. 517-518), lifts the gigantic sword over his head, swings the magnificent blade in the direction of Grendel's mother's head and "cut [the neck] through, / Broke bones and all" (Beowulf, Collections ll. 522-523). Through all of Beowulf's boisterous battles, he displays his superhuman strength that no one else in the world can …show more content…
This trait stands out most before and during his final battle with the dragon. Apparently, this reptilian beast has been terrorizing Beowulf's people for quite some time. Beowulf has no choice but to go and face this new opponent. When Beowulf addresses this threat, he states that he "mean[s] to stand, not run from his [the Dragon's] shooting flames" (Beowulf, Close Reader ll. 14 & 16). Beowulf heads out to duel with no fear; when he reaches the Dragon's den, the two face off: "The beast came closer; both of them / [Are] ready, each set on slaughter" (Beowulf, Close Reader ll. 54-55). Beowulf and the Dragon commence battle and begin to destroy one another. However, Beowulf has been ruling over the Geats for fifty years, and is now old. Beowulf knows that he will most likely not survive this battle; however, he still faces this monster because he is the only one who can defeat him. Sadly, neither Beowulf nor the dragon survive the battle. Beowulf's final request is to have a tower built in his honor, forever securing his glory. Beowulf wants his ashes to be placed inside of the tower and for the building to be constructed along the coast, where sailors can see the glorious tomb. Beowulf wants the monument to be called "Beowulf's Tower." During his funeral, his people tell stories of their glorious king and "his greatness / Praising him for his heroic deeds" (Beowulf,