Beowulf As An Epic Hero: The Perfect Anglo-Saxon

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Alec Freese Ms. Kieth Honors English Four September 21, 2015 Beowulf as an Epic Hero; The Perfect Anglo-Saxon In many societies heroes from epic poems can be categorized as epic heroes because of their standardized characteristics of bravery, wisdom, generosity and beauty. Beowulf is an epic hero meeting all the qualifications, and he is a representation of the values and ideals of the Anglo-Saxons. The defining characteristics of an epic hero reflect the most important values of the society of the epics origin. Beowulf demonstrates the quality of bravery best during his three fights. His fight with Grendel demonstrates a great deal of bravery because of his decision to fight Grendel without armor or weapons. He decides to fight Grendel in this manor, disregarding the fact…show more content…
”I have heard moreover that the monster scorns in his reckless way to use weapons … I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the heavy broad shield”(Beowulf 215). Beowulf also demonstrates bravery during his fight with Grendel’s mother. He willingly goes to fight her own underwater home, giving her an upper hand before the battle even begins. The watery lair was also infested with many sea serpents that sided with Grendel’s mother during the fight. Another example of Beowulf’s bravery was when he fought the dragon. At the time of the battle, Beowulf is seventy years old and he attempts to fight the dragon alone. The only handicap he gives himself is a group of his finest warriors waiting to help only in the case of emergency.

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