The Undefeatable Hero In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf desires to become an epic hero and leave a legacy. His battles and characteristics contribute to the development of the epic’s universal themes. Beowulf’s different qualities of the epic hero are revealed in his battle with Grendel, his battle with Grendel’s mother, and his battle with the dragon. In Beowulf’s battle with Grendel, Beowulf displays the epic hero qualities of his courage and high social status. He is brave and not scared to fight a battle with Grendel. In the poem Beowulf states, “My lord Higlac / Might think less of me if I let my sword / Go where my feet were afraid to,” which shows how courageous he is (248-250). He is not afraid to fight without weapons because he already has the warrior skills he needs to win the battle. Beowulf is born into high social status like all epic heroes. The kenning, “Higlac’s brave follower” refers to Beowulf as being a cousin of Higlac (372). Beowulf gains high social status from Higlac because he was once a king. These qualities pertain to the
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Grendel’s mother was a unique monster that no weapons could harm. A main characteristic of Beowulf is his strength especially in his hands which is presented in the quote, “If weapons were useless he’d use / His hands, the strength in his fingers” (461-462). Another example of Beowulf’s strength is, “a heavy / Sword, hammered by giants . . . so massive that no ordinary man could lift” (485-488). Almost all epic heroes defeat their enemies and Beowulf isn’t any different, “Her body fell / To the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet / With her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight” (495-497). He has to defeat his enemies because if he does not he will not leave a legacy and he will be forgotten. These epic hero characteristic relate to the theme that good will eventually defeat
Grendel’s mother was a unique monster that no weapons could harm. A main characteristic of Beowulf is his strength especially in his hands which is presented in the quote, “If weapons were useless he’d use / His hands, the strength in his fingers” (461-462). Another example of Beowulf’s strength is, “a heavy / Sword, hammered by giants . . . so massive that no ordinary man could lift” (485-488). Almost all epic heroes defeat their enemies and Beowulf isn’t any different, “Her body fell / To the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet / With her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight” (495-497). He has to defeat his enemies because if he does not he will not leave a legacy and he will be forgotten. These epic hero characteristic relate to the theme that good will eventually defeat