Characteristics Of Heroes In Beowulf

“Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary” (Way). Many people are considered heroes for many different reasons. Some people are heroes for saving a child from a burning building others for just being there when you need someone to talk to. Heroes have many great qualities; that go into forming the person that they are. Some heroes are well spoken and can give great advice where as others are timid and make better listeners. Some are strong and can lift cars while some are smaller and can give shots. Countless people have the wrong idea about heroes, they think a hero is someone in a cape that comes flying in to save the damsel in distress. A hero is anyone who does an act of kindness for someone else is a real hero. A …show more content…
Grendel hates the sound of singing about God. The Danes gathers every day in Herot, their favorite mead hall, to hang out and have fun. After a while Grendel becomes tired of hearing the Danes singing and attacks the mead hall, killing thirty men in just one night. “He slipped through the door and there in the silence Snatched up thirty men, smashed them…” (Unknown 36). The Danes became scared and desert Herot for twelve years. “So Herot Stood empty, and stayed deserted for years, Twelve winters of grief for Hrothgar”(61). If Beowulf would not have defeated Grendel then Herot would still be empty because of the amount of fear the Danes had for Grendel. By Beowulf killing Grendel it gave the Danes a sense of peace and they are allowed to return to their normal activities without having to live in fear. “…and rode them Slowly toward Herot again, retelling Beowulf’s bravery as they jogged along” (377). Beowulf’s killing of Grendel restored order and peace to the …show more content…
He has served the Geats for fifty years as their noble king. When a dragon starts terrorizing his people he does not just sit on his throne but, at about seventy years old he strapped on his armor and goes out to take on the fire breathing dragon himself. “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought…But I will fight again…” (607). When the battle gets tough all except one of Beowulf’s men retreat a real hero stays no matter what the cost may be. If you stay and carry out your job there is sure to be reward. This is very true for the brave warrior Wiglaf. “Wiglaf, lead my people, Help them; my time is gone” (68). Wiglaf is rewarded for his loyalty with gold and riches as well as being king. Beowulf proved how faithful he was to his people by dying to protect them. “The old man’s mouth was silent, spoke No more, had said as much as it could” (828). Beowulf would not have been as legendary or remembered if he had died at home in his bed but he was a true hero and died saving his