Beowolf - the Ideal Epic Hero

The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the


Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person


with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero. He is able to use his


super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before


himself. He encounters hideous monsters and the most ferocious of


beasts but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are


superb and he is even able to boast about all his


achievements. Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his life


countless times for immortal glory and for the good of others.








   


        Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his


amazing physical strength. He fought in numerous battles and returned


victorious from all but his last. In his argument with Unferth, Beowulf


explains the reason he "lost" a simple swimming match with his youthful


opponent Brecca. Not only had Beowulf been swimming for seven


nights, he had also stopped to kill nine sea creatures in the depths of the


ocean. Beowulf is also strong enough to kill the monster Grendel, who


has been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years, with his bare hands by


ripping off his arm. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel's mother, who is


seeking revenge on her son's death, he is able to slay


her by slashing the monster's neck with a Giant's sword that can   only be


lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf. When he chops off her head, he


carries it from the ocean with ease, but it takes four men to lift and carry


it back to Herot mead-hall. This strength is a key trait of Beowulf's


heroism.








   


        Another heroic trait of Beowulf is his ability to put his peoples


welfare before his own. Beowulf's uncle is...