Analysis Of Beowulf As A Heroic Epic - 779 Words

Tom Hanks once said, â€Å"A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown†. Stories about such heroes have been told for centuries. In fact, heroistic ideals are sometimes the basis of a society. The Anglo-Saxon people are a prime example of the previous statement. In Anglo-Saxon culture, being called a hero was an honor. Heroes were treated like kings. One of the most popular hero stories that bled into Anglo-Saxon life was the heroic epic of Beowulf. Beowulf was the perfect example of an Anglo-Saxon hero as he was courageous, strong, and determined. Due to its wondrous tales of Beowulf’s intrepid adventures, Beowulf is a heroic epic. To clarify, a heroic epic is a type of epic whose main purpose is to tell the story of a hero’s†¦show more content†¦Because they were always under attack whether it was from neighboring tribes or disease, Anglo-Saxon life was not easy; in fact, it was quite rough. Beowulf delivers this aspect of life through Grendel, the dragon, and Grendel’s mother’s attacks. The Germanic people always thought Wyrd, the fate god, was always against them. Furthermore, the poem â€Å"teaches a modern audience much about Anglo-Saxon ideals of heroism and kingship† (113). Beowulf demonstrates to the reader what it means to be an Anglo-Saxon hero. Overall, Beowulf is a heroic epic because it embodies all the aspects of a heroic epic. In light of his inhuman strength, adept fighting skills, and courageness, Beowulf is a prime example of an Anglo-Saxon hero. From the very beginning of Beowulf’s introduction into the novel, he was described as a skilled fighter. He was introduced as having â€Å"risen from the darkness of many wars, dripping with my enemies’ blood† not only did he defeat his own kind, but he also hunted â€Å"monsters out of the ocean† (417-418, 422-423). Beowulf was always ready to engage in another fight as seen in his volunteering to fight Grendel. In the poem, Beowulf was known for having super strength. He defeated Grendel, who was able to tear men apart, with his bare hands. In fact, the poem says that Beowulf stopped Grendel path of destruction by fastening Grendel’s claws â€Å"till they cracked† (761). Swords and soldiers could not stop Grendel, butShow MoreRelatedWhy Is Beowulf Considered A Hero?983 Words   |  4 PagesMay 2016 Why is Beowulf considered a hero? Beowulf, an epic hero of his time, has some people that don’t think he should be considered a hero, but I think otherwise. 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