Beowulf Epic Hero

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Through time, the story of Beowulf has been passed on from person to person as reminding legend of a great hero. Beowulf is an epic hero because he does not fear death and performs many heroic and supernatural deeds. Characteristics of an epic hero vary from having skills, strength and courage, to fighting monsters and temptations, and women who tempt him. Just as he achieves his goal of killing monsters, he also makes many rash decisions and takes unnecessary risks. This story of Beowulf consists of three major fights that occur. First one is with the ruthless Grendel, who is the reason why King Hrothgar of the great spear-Danes seeks out Beowulf in the first place. The second battle between Beowulf and a monster is in the lair of Grendel’s…show more content…
Using weapons and armor, the people of Danes always attempted to kill the evil creature. However it only resulted in reserve, where Grendel ends up killing, tearing, and destroying the people and happiness of the Danes in the mead hall. This leads to the rescue and fight of Beowulf against Grendel. Beowulf is a strong and courageous hero and was presently the Prince of Geats. He was called upon to come save the Kingdom of Danes from the torturous monster that they have spent years trying to kill. Upon previously killing many other monsters and creatures, Beowulf took this opportunity to gain even more honor and fame in his name. When the fight of Beowulf and Grendel comes about, Beowulf fights naked. Hrothgar, King of Danes states, “Holy God of His Grace has sent him to us West-Danes, as I hope, against the terror of Grendel” (Bammesberger). Beowulf will represent God and Grendel represents the devil. Beowulf strengthens this view with his decision to fight Grendel without any weapons. Beowulf makes the impression of letting the Lord decide who will win this battle. The fight with Grendel is where Beowulf shows his power. Not only does he show strength and courageousness like an epic hero should, he also shows his supernatural beliefs that he can take on this creature like an immortal. As Grendel bursts into Heorot and destroys the feast held in Beowulf’s honor, Grendel faces…show more content…
Beowulf then sets out to kill this even more powerful monster. This time, Beowulf takes his armor and his sword showing the audience that Beowulf will be encountering a creature stronger than he would expect himself to face. As Beowulf enters the lair of Grendel’s mother the battle becomes much more competitive. This battle displayed the strength between two masculine figures and forces between good and evil. However, being that Grendel’s mother is just as strong as Beowulf, Grendel’s mother is a feminine figure. Beowulf fighting a competitor that is a female and this shows Beowulf’s weakness. The idea of men being the stronger in the middle ages is defeated through this battle between Grendel’s mother and Beowulf. Grendel’s mother attacks him many times, but the only thing protecting Beowulf is his armor. In fact, Beowulf would have been defeated many times if it was not for his armor that was protecting him. The fight that occurred in Beowulf between Beowulf and Grendel biblical elements involved in it. This fight was in a way quite different then the fight that occurred between Beowulf and Grendel himself. The fight between Beowulf and Grendel’s mother was in a way less barbaric. This is due to the fact that during Beowulf and Grendel’s mother’s fight Grendel’s mother did not suffer from any dislocated body parts like Grendel did. The fight between

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