Beowulf: The Epic Hero’s Journey
“And many men stated that south or north, / Over all the world, or between the seas, / Or under the heaven was no hero was greater,” is how men describe the hero Beowulf, in the epic Beowulf (670-672). This title character is known for his brave feats his loyalty to his king. He is an epic hero as he embodies the characteristics of a hero such as having larger-than-life qualities, traveling on long journeys, and undertaking tasks that no one dares to attempt.
Initially, Beowulf appears to have many larger-than-life qualities, the most prominent being extra strength. For example, as he progresses through the story as men describe him as, “Of living strong men he was the strongest, / Fearless and gallant and great of heart” (132-133). Not …show more content…
After Beowulf defeats Grendel, he speaks about undergoing the task of defeating Grendel’s mother as he, “Straightway plunged in the swirling pool. / Night unto a day he endured the depths” in order to take on the task only he could attempt, and this displays his heroism (989-990). Moreover, before he kills Grendel’s mother, he takes the weapon that is, “Choicest of weapons worthy and strong, / The work of giants, a warrior’s joy, / So heavy no hang but his own could hold it” in order to complete his task of slaying her to protect the kingdom as an epic hero (1048-1050). Ultimately, Beowulf shows his characteristics of an epic hero after he slays Grendel’s mother, he retrieves the head of Grendel as “Four of the stoutest, with all their strength, / Could hardly carry on swaying spear” to bring the severed head of Grendel to the Hall of the Hart (1110-1111). But then Beowulf easily grabs it by the hair and presents it to king Hrothgar. Furthermore to Beowulf taking on tasks that threaten his life, he proves himself an epic hero because of the characteristics he develops along the way of his
“And many men stated that south or north, / Over all the world, or between the seas, / Or under the heaven was no hero was greater,” is how men describe the hero Beowulf, in the epic Beowulf (670-672). This title character is known for his brave feats his loyalty to his king. He is an epic hero as he embodies the characteristics of a hero such as having larger-than-life qualities, traveling on long journeys, and undertaking tasks that no one dares to attempt.
Initially, Beowulf appears to have many larger-than-life qualities, the most prominent being extra strength. For example, as he progresses through the story as men describe him as, “Of living strong men he was the strongest, / Fearless and gallant and great of heart” (132-133). Not …show more content…
After Beowulf defeats Grendel, he speaks about undergoing the task of defeating Grendel’s mother as he, “Straightway plunged in the swirling pool. / Night unto a day he endured the depths” in order to take on the task only he could attempt, and this displays his heroism (989-990). Moreover, before he kills Grendel’s mother, he takes the weapon that is, “Choicest of weapons worthy and strong, / The work of giants, a warrior’s joy, / So heavy no hang but his own could hold it” in order to complete his task of slaying her to protect the kingdom as an epic hero (1048-1050). Ultimately, Beowulf shows his characteristics of an epic hero after he slays Grendel’s mother, he retrieves the head of Grendel as “Four of the stoutest, with all their strength, / Could hardly carry on swaying spear” to bring the severed head of Grendel to the Hall of the Hart (1110-1111). But then Beowulf easily grabs it by the hair and presents it to king Hrothgar. Furthermore to Beowulf taking on tasks that threaten his life, he proves himself an epic hero because of the characteristics he develops along the way of his