A hero has been defined differently as time has progressed. Depending on the situation and the culture, a hero can range from someone who does deeds of the heart to a savior with enormous strength. In the times of Beowulf in the ancient Anglo-Saxon times the hero was a strong, courageous, and valiant person who would do anything to prove that. Anglo-Saxon heroes lived a life of adventure where they sought out challenges to prove that they were strong and worthy of the honors due to them by others. Beowulf fits this profile of an Anglo-Saxon hero in every way.

             Beowulf is the prototypical hero for a society that values above all else a strong person in character and body. His external image is of a muscular soldier, with the strength of no other person. He swears to kill Grendel, the monster who has killed many of Hrothgar"s men, with his bare hands. It would bring shame on him if, as he says, "I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to." (line 170) He not only must be strong in body but he must be willing to use this strength to prove to his king and to others that he is the man he claims to be.

             Physical strength and honor are not the only things that make a hero in the eyes of the Anglo-Saxons. Beowulf was also an example of a man with the strength of mind and character to fight make others believe what was said about him. He did not stand disrespect from others, but at the same time did not feel the need to start a fight over it. Instead he took a calm and superior approach, as with everything a hero faces. When criticized by Unferth, Beowulf replies using his intellect and states, "Neither he nor you can match me – and I mean no boast, have announced no more than I know to be true." (line 319) So once again Beowulf shows that he is above others. If anything the hero of the Anglo-Saxons lore is never below anyone else. No matter what happens they keep their honor and wits about them.