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Beowulf: An Example Of An Epic Hero

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All people need someone to look up to, someone who motivates them, makes them feel safe, and can be their hero. The same was true for the people of sixth-century Scandinavia (Raffel “About Beowulf,” 39). They were a bellicose group of people because they were constantly trying to defend themselves from the unknown dangers that approached them, and they needed an epic hero to save them. An epic hero is a person in a story who comes in and saves the day. An example of an epic hero is the character Beowulf in the epic “Beowulf,”, translated by Burton Raffel. At this time, the Anglo-Saxons were scared of the unknown disasters and evil in their lives. The were afraid of invasions, natural disasters, monsters, and the unknown. Beowulf was …show more content…

In many occasions through the epic of “Beowulf,”, Beowulf has exhibited superhuman qualities. During the battle of Grendel’s mother, Beowulf picked up a sword “so massive that no ordinary man could lift”(Raffel lines 533). In this line, Beowulf proves his superhuman strength, which is one of many of his superhuman qualities that he exhibits throughout the story. Beowulf has also proven to be larger that life. Beowulf’s “followers and the strongest of the Geats-greater/ and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world”(lines 110-111). Any group of strong warriors needs a stronger leader and this larger than life group of people have Beowulf as their leader. An epic hero needs to be larger than life and be superhuman, as Beowulf has shown throughout the epic. Beowulf clearly fills the role of being an epic hero when it comes to having superhuman strength and being larger than life. To be an epic hero, one must also be noble and be and example for their culture and …show more content…

Epic heroes need to have connections to people of power to prove their nobility. Beowulf blazoned that his “father/ was a famous soldier, known far and wide/ as a leader of men”(lines 174-176). Back in the time of Beowulf, people explained their connections to important people, sometimes even despots. By Beowulf stating his relation to a famous soldier, he confirms his nobility presenting himself as an epic hero. Epic heroes are looked up to by their people, thus they present elements of their culture and heritage. Beowulf came to Hrothgar “with gleaming armor, going safely/ In that oak-hard boat”(lines 130-131). Both armor and sailing the sea was important components to their culture. Beowulf proves to be noble and he reflects his cultural heritage like an epic hero. Now to become an epic hero Beowulf must go on a quest and prove his courage, virtue, and

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