The Dangers Of Beowulf As An Epic Hero

Throughout the tale of Beowulf, the epic hero and title character faces and overcomes a multitude of larger-than-life foes. Whether it be sea monsters, abominations, or even a dragon, Beowulf is able to emerge victorious against his opponents, but his margin of victory becomes smaller and smaller throughout his endeavors. For instance, at the beginning of the story, Beowulf is seen as this epic hero who can defeat anything or anyone, having already possessed a legendary and seemingly invincible status. Eventually, however, Beowulf is defeated in battle and ultimately killed. As the plot of Beowulf progresses, both the dangers that Beowulf faces and the impact of his battles increases, while simultaneously his overall image of invincibility …show more content…
Beowulf is effectively seen as the last line of defense against the monster Grendel. Many believe that if Beowulf can not emerge victorious, then no one else can. Thus, Beowulf essentially has the entirety of Heorot riding on his shoulders. If Beowulf falls by the hand of Grendel, then Heorot is believed to be doomed. Simultaneously, while this battle is of the utmost importance, it is also very dangerous, made even more so by Beowulf’s own volition. In addition to the epic power of Grendel, Beowulf not only resolves to fight Grendel alone, he also renounces his sword and shield for the …show more content…
Following the same trends as before, both the danger and stakes of this final battle are heightened greatly, and reach their apex at this point. The dragon is surely Beowulf’s most epic and dangerous foe that he must face. Although the dragon is dangerous, Beowulf still attempts to defeat the beast on his own, but in the end requires the help of one of his best warriors, Wiglaf. In addition, Beowulf’s battle with the dragon, has the entirety of the Geat people on the line, as all are in danger and will likely perish if he cannot defeat the