The true power that any hero holds is the inevitable ability to overcome great trials that no ordinary man or woman could successfully accomplish. The hero is put up against a menacing evil that terrorizes the common people. Then is put to the test to see if his or her strength and bravery is enough to defeat the great evil he or she is presented with. The story of Beowulf is a perfect example of this. Beowulf goes through three death defying trials to which he escapes only two with his life, then dramatically dying after his third and final trial. Even in his old age, he still seeks out the 50-foot dragon whose breath is burning down parts of the village. Beowulf is classified as a great hero because he embodies the Germanic code of heroes.
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Furthermore, a small excerpt does well at explaining this theory: “Thus Beowulf bore himself with valor; he was formidable in battle yet behave with honor and took no advantage; never cut down a comrade who was drunk, kept his temper and, warrior that he was, watch and controlled his God-sent strength and his outstanding natural powers.” Beowulf was given the strength to hold his composure in the tough times that he encountered but the dragon was unable to mirror the same type of strength as Beowulf. In the tale, once the dragon realized that one small piece of his vast treasure was missing, he went on a rampage by burning down parts of the town. Instead, the villain, in this case the dragon, is typically incapable of figuring out the situation in a reasonable and mature manor; instead they choose to be selfish in their endeavors and not care who or what they destroy in their path of …show more content…
News of Beowulf’s accomplishments immediately spreads across the lands. Each trial our hero is put through gradually inclines in difficulty. With his brute strength and courage at a young age, he overpowers Grendel with ease, but then mildly struggles when facing Grendel’s grief-stricken mother, showing that he may not be quite prepared enough to overcome a harder task. Luckily, Beowulf has King Hrothgar as a mentor and is given the chance to hear Hrothgar’s advice on how to become a good king and leader. Once Hrothgar passes away and Beowulf becomes king of Hrothgar’s kingdom, the story advances 50 years into the future. Beowulf has now been king for some time and is finally preparing to face his third and final task. The story tells of how Beowulf’s once grand armor is now aging as much as he is, foreshadowing that his armor will not be strong enough to protect him just like he will not be strong enough to overcome this battle. In the end, Beowulf tragically falls at the hand of the dragon, but not before he completes his accomplishment of slaying the dragon and once again saving the lives of the people of his kingdom. Beowulf embodies all the classic qualifications of being a great hero and a great king. His fantastic, enthralling tale does a wonderful job of telling his outlandish tale that
Furthermore, a small excerpt does well at explaining this theory: “Thus Beowulf bore himself with valor; he was formidable in battle yet behave with honor and took no advantage; never cut down a comrade who was drunk, kept his temper and, warrior that he was, watch and controlled his God-sent strength and his outstanding natural powers.” Beowulf was given the strength to hold his composure in the tough times that he encountered but the dragon was unable to mirror the same type of strength as Beowulf. In the tale, once the dragon realized that one small piece of his vast treasure was missing, he went on a rampage by burning down parts of the town. Instead, the villain, in this case the dragon, is typically incapable of figuring out the situation in a reasonable and mature manor; instead they choose to be selfish in their endeavors and not care who or what they destroy in their path of …show more content…
News of Beowulf’s accomplishments immediately spreads across the lands. Each trial our hero is put through gradually inclines in difficulty. With his brute strength and courage at a young age, he overpowers Grendel with ease, but then mildly struggles when facing Grendel’s grief-stricken mother, showing that he may not be quite prepared enough to overcome a harder task. Luckily, Beowulf has King Hrothgar as a mentor and is given the chance to hear Hrothgar’s advice on how to become a good king and leader. Once Hrothgar passes away and Beowulf becomes king of Hrothgar’s kingdom, the story advances 50 years into the future. Beowulf has now been king for some time and is finally preparing to face his third and final task. The story tells of how Beowulf’s once grand armor is now aging as much as he is, foreshadowing that his armor will not be strong enough to protect him just like he will not be strong enough to overcome this battle. In the end, Beowulf tragically falls at the hand of the dragon, but not before he completes his accomplishment of slaying the dragon and once again saving the lives of the people of his kingdom. Beowulf embodies all the classic qualifications of being a great hero and a great king. His fantastic, enthralling tale does a wonderful job of telling his outlandish tale that