Beowulf: Epic Hero

A detailed Summary of Beowulf: Epic Hero


The earliest recorded epic poem, Beowulf, was anonymously written during the Anglo-Saxon era (approximately 700AD). The Anglo-Saxons admired epic heroes who upheld the ethics of their society through exemplary leadership, loyalty, strength and bravery. These epic heroes prevailed over insurmountable odds, and were glorified by the people who progressed because of their victories. Beowulf, the hero in this literary piece, did as such, and he ultimately surpassed the qualities of being an epic hero. Accordingly, heroes and epic heroes alike gained the praise and respect of their subjects as well as their enemies. To be labeled a hero, one must put aside his personal welfare for the good of others. Heroism may be accomplished by an ordinary person performing an extraordinary deed; however, to be an epic hero like Beowulf, one must enforce the ethics set upon him, and be willing to consistently sacrifice himself to defeat whatever distresses his people.

"Lucky or not, nine was the number of sea-huge monsters I killed. What man, anywhere under Heaven's high arch, has fought in su


ch darkness, endured more misery, or been harder pressed?" (Line #307). Beowulf wanted to be looked upon as superior in strength. Any hero needs strength in order to be of value. Before a new conquest, he would often sing his own praises of how there is no stronger or greater warrior than he. Beowulf had the power to rip off, with his bare hands the arm of Grendel, the first monster encountered. This unbelievable strength also enabled Beowulf to cut off the head of Grendel's mother in her underwater lair with a sword no ordinary man could even carry alone. The endurance to swim across a sea for five nights was only one other attribute of his. "My people have said...They have seen my strength for themselves, have watched me rise from the darkness of war, dripping with my enemies' blood" (Line #149). There was no doubt that the people of Herot knew of Beowulf's tales of strength. They told of his glory to others so he may be remembered.

The strenuous battle between Grendel and Beowulf showed strength. The attack made on Beowulf by the hand of Grendel's mother while holding

Some common words found in the essay are:
, Grendel Beowulf, Herot Beowulf's, epic hero, epic heroes, people herot, anglo-saxon era, ethics set, grendel's mother, beowulf fought,

Approximate Word count = 733
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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