An epic hero is not just some everyday, ordinary hero. They are the people that normal heroes look up to. These heroes have qualities that some people could only dream of having. Epic heroes are the heroes in epic poems, but what makes them so epic? The epic hero generally embodies the values of the culture in which the poem comes from. Many of these heroes are superhuman or have superhuman abilities, meaning that they are stronger, faster, smarter, or more courageous than normal human beings. In epic poems, the hero goes on a quest. This quest could be for a thing, person, treasure, peace for their people, or to destroy something. Every hero has an enemy. For epic heroes, these enemies are epic nemeses. The nemeses are stronger, meaner, and
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He was stronger, more clever, and more courageous than most people. “…With the strength of thirty in the grip of each hand.” (380-381). Beowulf had the strength of thirty men in each hand, and with this strength he did many things. For example, he was the only one who could wield the giant’s sword. “…but so huge and heavy of itself only Beowulf could wield it in battle.” (1561-1562). Beowulf was extremely courageous and was not afraid to die. “Beowulf got ready, donned his war-gear, indifferent to death” (1442-1443). He was also so brave that he went to fight Grendel without armor or weapons. These superhuman capabilities helped Beowulf in his many quests and …show more content…
As he was dying, Beowulf told Wiglaf, one of his men, to bring him the dragon’s treasure. Instead of being buried with it, Beowulf gave it to his people. “I give thanks that I behold this treasure here in front of me, that I have been allowed to leave my people so well endowed on the day I die.” (2795-2798). Beowulf was such a selfless person. Because of this and many other reasons, his people gave him the funeral he deserved. A pyre was built for Beowulf by the Geat people. It was hung with helmets, weapons, and armor, just as he wanted. They set fire to this pyre, and it was the hugest of all funeral fires. As it was burning, Beowulf’s people lamented over his death. “So the Geat people, his hearth companions, sorrowed for the lord who had been laid low.” (3178-3179). Beowulf got the burial he deserved. Beowulf is a great example of the epic hero. He fulfills most of the requirements to be considered an epic hero. He embodies the values of his culture, has superhuman capabilities, goes on a quest, has a big victory, an epic nemesis, becomes king, and has a big burial. He earned everything he got, and he was not afraid to die. Beowulf is an epic
He was stronger, more clever, and more courageous than most people. “…With the strength of thirty in the grip of each hand.” (380-381). Beowulf had the strength of thirty men in each hand, and with this strength he did many things. For example, he was the only one who could wield the giant’s sword. “…but so huge and heavy of itself only Beowulf could wield it in battle.” (1561-1562). Beowulf was extremely courageous and was not afraid to die. “Beowulf got ready, donned his war-gear, indifferent to death” (1442-1443). He was also so brave that he went to fight Grendel without armor or weapons. These superhuman capabilities helped Beowulf in his many quests and …show more content…
As he was dying, Beowulf told Wiglaf, one of his men, to bring him the dragon’s treasure. Instead of being buried with it, Beowulf gave it to his people. “I give thanks that I behold this treasure here in front of me, that I have been allowed to leave my people so well endowed on the day I die.” (2795-2798). Beowulf was such a selfless person. Because of this and many other reasons, his people gave him the funeral he deserved. A pyre was built for Beowulf by the Geat people. It was hung with helmets, weapons, and armor, just as he wanted. They set fire to this pyre, and it was the hugest of all funeral fires. As it was burning, Beowulf’s people lamented over his death. “So the Geat people, his hearth companions, sorrowed for the lord who had been laid low.” (3178-3179). Beowulf got the burial he deserved. Beowulf is a great example of the epic hero. He fulfills most of the requirements to be considered an epic hero. He embodies the values of his culture, has superhuman capabilities, goes on a quest, has a big victory, an epic nemesis, becomes king, and has a big burial. He earned everything he got, and he was not afraid to die. Beowulf is an epic