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Free Essay-Beowulf The Epic Hero

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Beowulf the Epic Hero

An epic hero is someone who shows loyalty, devotion, super strength and fights for justice. Epic heros are not always someone who have superpowers, they are simply brave with noble characteristics. In most epic poems the heroic qualities shown will almost certainly affect the story, and undergo some type of change.
Beowulf showed he was an epic hero through the poem by killing Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon. By doing this he showed super strength because he was only a human who managed to kill a dragon and two monsters. His strength is a key trait of Beowulf’s heroism. Beowulf also showed loyalty to Hrothgar and his people by never giving up and having enough courage to fight beyond his human powers. Beowulf was very courageous and brave …show more content…

“He fights while studying his opponents weakness” (alsan). This shows how he helped himself out by reading his surroundings. Beowulf found was to help himself out which is why he is very clever.
Epic hero's undergo change throughout the poem to show what the character had to do when trying to overcome their impediments. In the beginning of the story he fights for himself to gain fame and glory. Later on in the poem Beowulf matures when he becomes king as he fights to save his people instead of his own personal gain. “Beowulf is less confident, and worries more about his people than his own reputation“ (Stitt 1).
Its obvious that Beowulf is an epic hero. His strength and courage is unquestionably remarkable, he would do anything for the good of his people no matter how big the task. What’s fascinating about this poem is that Beowulf didn't have any superpowers, he was just a regular man that was brave enough to fight for his people. That overall is what makes him an even better hero. Beowulf isnt an epic hero just because of powers, he was simply just a smart, brave and strong

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