Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero and the horrific enemies are more complex than they might appear. For example, Grendel is both a monster and a man. Although he acts as a monster by destroying the King’s kingdom and killing other humans, he still possesses emotion. Moreover, the poem as a whole explores heroism in two ways: youth and age. There is a clear division between Beowulf's youthful heroism as a warrior and his maturity springs as he becomes a king. Both of these phases of his life are separated by fifty years. In his youthful years, Beowulf is a great warrior mostly characterized by strength, courage, and pride, for example, his swimming match against Breca. Beowulf honors the Germanic heroic code to the fullest because
