Veronica Avina Rodriguez
Professor Westerbeck
English 223
September 25, 2014
Beowulf: Epic Hero or Not?
There are many different ways to define what an epic hero is considered to be, especially when we are talking about what we might consider to be a hero in an epic poem. According to dictionary.com "an epic hero is defined as a brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events." In the Anglo-Saxon poem "Beowulf", we are introduced to the character of Beowulf who in the beginning of the story we might think that is not important in the story, but in the end find out that he turns out to be our main character. We meet Beowulf after getting a quick introduction of the Shields of Sheafson who was the great king of the ancient Danes who was also the founder of the royal line. He was abandoned by his parent's after this event he becomes strong and powerful. And then about how king Hrothgar became king and the past between the king and Beowulf's father. We later discover that king Hrothgar accepts to have Beowulf fight for him against Grendel and later holds a feast in the hero's honor. …show more content…
Beowulf also achieved and proved that he was worthy of being called a hero in the sense that he showed to be a loyal servant to the king, a very courageous person and above all a strong and able warrior. He first showed to be a true hero when during his youth years he had feats of strength and courage, for example the swimming match with Breca where he embodied the true Germanic heroic code in the way of honoring both the manners and values that had been established. This is a very good example of Beowulf being a good hero in the sense that it shows that now a day the definition has changed in many
Professor Westerbeck
English 223
September 25, 2014
Beowulf: Epic Hero or Not?
There are many different ways to define what an epic hero is considered to be, especially when we are talking about what we might consider to be a hero in an epic poem. According to dictionary.com "an epic hero is defined as a brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events." In the Anglo-Saxon poem "Beowulf", we are introduced to the character of Beowulf who in the beginning of the story we might think that is not important in the story, but in the end find out that he turns out to be our main character. We meet Beowulf after getting a quick introduction of the Shields of Sheafson who was the great king of the ancient Danes who was also the founder of the royal line. He was abandoned by his parent's after this event he becomes strong and powerful. And then about how king Hrothgar became king and the past between the king and Beowulf's father. We later discover that king Hrothgar accepts to have Beowulf fight for him against Grendel and later holds a feast in the hero's honor. …show more content…
Beowulf also achieved and proved that he was worthy of being called a hero in the sense that he showed to be a loyal servant to the king, a very courageous person and above all a strong and able warrior. He first showed to be a true hero when during his youth years he had feats of strength and courage, for example the swimming match with Breca where he embodied the true Germanic heroic code in the way of honoring both the manners and values that had been established. This is a very good example of Beowulf being a good hero in the sense that it shows that now a day the definition has changed in many