The Epic Hero In Beowulf By Burton Raffel

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Beowulf “Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror and quickly commanded a boat fitted out, / Proclaiming that he'd go to that famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, / Now when help was needed”(112-114). In the poem Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, the author tells a story about one of the greatest Geat heroes of all time, but what attributes really make Beowulf a hero? Thierry Boucquey in the article Epic states, “The epic hero is characteristically courageous, chivalrous, and proud.”(2005). For Beowulf, the three characteristics that make him a hero are: he is strong just like any other hero would be, he is confident, and his will to protect others no matter what. One of the characteristics that make Beowulf a hero is…show more content…
“When we crossed the sea, my comrades and I, I already knew that all my purpose was this: to win the good will of your people or die in battle…” (366-367). Beowulf explains that he will put his life on the line just to protect the people from Grendel. Another scenario that shows Beowulf’s will to protect other people is when Grendel’s mother takes Hrothgar's closest friend into her home, and Beowulf decides to follow her and get him back. He was a great hero, who cared more about his people then about himself. Even when he was old he put his own life on the line one last time to protect his people from the dragon. Beowulf decides to go look for the dragon in the cave and kill him. At the end he success and kills the dragon, but he also suffers major injuries that kill him at the end.” I sold my life for this treasure, and I sold it well. Take What I leave, Wiglaf, lead my people, Help them; my time is gone…” (806-809). Even when dying he thinks about his people and rather than himself. He protected his friends with his own life at the end, and gave them the treasure he had found in the dragons cave. An action only a true hero would

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