Beowulf: The Qualities Of An Epic Hero

An epic hero is defined as a larger than life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. The Anglo-Saxons greatly admired heroes, they were an important part of their culture. The ideal hero for the Anglo-Saxons is a man who has outstanding courage, fierce personal valor , loyalty to their tribe, and is a generous ruler. One such hero Beowulf takes on great challenges and adventures. The Anglo-saxon epic Beowulf, the oldest surviving epic in the world, has been told and retold by the word of mouth throughout England for hundreds of years. In the epic Beowulf sails to Denmark to aid Hrothgar in getting rid of a menace that has been terrorizing herot for over a decade. Throughout the epic Beowulf shows many qualities of an epic hero. Beowulf proves to be an epic hero through his …show more content…
He is able to commit acts that no ordinary man can perform. Before he can fight the she wolf he has to hold his breath for hours as he swims to her lair. Once he starts fighting he finds that his weapons are useless against her. Beowulf must turn to a giant-forged sword that is so massive that no ordinary person can lift it. Beowulf not only lifts the sword off its plaque but he is able to swing it hard enough to cut the she wolf's head off. Additionally, Beowulf shows his physical strength when he defeats Grendel weaponless. Grendel is a monster that is large enough to kill thirty men a night. He have been terrorizing herot for decades. Many men have tried to defeat this menace but none have ever succeeded. Robert W. Hanning says that the weaponless Beowulf takes Grendel arm into a firm grip. While the horrified Grendel twist and turns trying to get away Beowulf tightens his grip until Grendel’s arm rips off (P2). Once his arm is torn Grendel is finally able to escape back to his lair where he dies of blood lost. Through his tremendous physical strength Beowulf proves to be an epic