Beowulf is an Epic Hero Essay Example
Many different qualities come with being an epic hero. An epic hero is someone who has courage, outstanding achievements, and noble qualities. In the epic poem, Beowulf, the main character Beowulf is the epic hero. Beowulf has plenty of epic hero characteristics. His words and actions account for it. These characteristics include being introduced in the middle of the story, having a magical weapon, being a demigod, battling alone, having fair fights, and taking a long dangerous journey.
Sometimes you’re not introduced to the epic hero right away. In Beowulf, you are introduced to the bad guy first. One of the many epic hero characteristics are, the hero is introduced in the midst of turmoil, at a point well into the story; antecedent action will be recounted in flashbacks. The poem states, “Herot stood empty, and stayed deserted for years, twelve winters of grief for Hrothgar” (lines 61-62). This is an example of how the epic hero is not introduced right away. In this quote the gathering hall, Herot, has remained empty for twelve years due to Grendel’s killings. Unfortunately, in these past twelve years no one has been able to defeat Grendel. That is until Beowulf comes along.
Grendel remained undefeated until Beowulf arrived. This is because the hero, often a demi-god, possesses distinctive weapons of great size and power, often heirlooms or presents from the gods. The poem says, “Carrying the sword Hrunting, Beowulf goes to the lake where the monster's mother has her underwater lair” (section 11). Hrunting was the magical sword given to Beowulf by Unferth. In this quote Beowulf is on his way to defeat Grendel’s mother, she is so powerful he has to take a magical sword with him. The text also states, “Greater and stronger than anyone in this world” (lines 110-111). This quote explains how Beowulf is a demi-god, he has powers that make him stronger than anyone else in the world. Although Beowulf is a demi-god, this doesn't mean finding Grendel's mother would be quick and easy.
