Beowulf demonstrates his strength and bravery, establishing himself as a true epic hero. He conquers several monsters, such as the fearsome Grendel, showcasing his heroic qualities. Furthermore, the story reveals Beowulf’s noble ancestry and high status through the statement that Higlac is his relative. “Higlac is my cousin and my king” (143), Beowulf explicitly declares, underscoring their familial connection. However, it is important to acknowledge that in those times, the term “cousin” had a different connotation.
Additionally, Beowulf’s noble birth is highlighted by his relation to Higlac, the king of the Geats. In addition, he possesses the qualities that define an epic hero, namely embodying the societal ideals through his character traits. As evidenced in the story, it is stated, “They have seen my strength for themselves, have watched me rise from the darkness of war, dripping with my enemies’ blood” (149-151). This statement emphasizes how Beowulf’s people have witnessed him vanquishing monstrous creatures like Grendel. Furthermore, after Beowulf’s triumph over Grendel, Hrothgar encourages him by saying, “Seek it if you dare!”
Hrothgar pleads with Beowulf to save his people once more, offering him a reward of twisted gold and ancient treasure if he is successful in battle. This request for assistance in slaying another monster further establishes Beowulf as an Epic Hero. Additionally, Beowulf’s superhuman feats are exemplified in his fight against Grendel. As Grendel was notorious for his strength, nobody was able to defeat him until Beowulf grabbed him tightly and brought him down.
Beowulf showcases his extraordinary talents in multiple ways. He single-handedly confronts Grendel, displaying immense strength as he grasps and shatters the creature’s claws—something a regular person couldn’t achieve. Furthermore, Beowulf’s superhuman feats are evident when he fearlessly dives into the lake, disregarding any need for a prompt response. He remains submerged for hours, defying human endurance limits. These exceptional actions emphasize Beowulf’s possession of superhuman capabilities.
The destiny of a nation was determined by Beowulf, prince of the Geats, who played a crucial role in this. By slaying Grendel, he put an end to the suffering and sorrow that Hrothgar’s people endured because of this bloodthirsty monster. This significant event took place when Hrothgar asked for Beowulf’s help to eliminate the wicked creature. Beowulf showed great courage by accepting this call and embarking on a mission to eradicate the fiend responsible for causing numerous deaths within Horthgar’s community. Consequently, it becomes evident that the fate of the nation relied solely on Beowulf’s capable hands.
Beowulf is considered a true Epic Hero due to his numerous victories over monsters and his willingness to put himself in harm’s way to defend others. He displays courage and loyalty to his community by consistently fulfilling his promises. In modern times, we have heroes like firefighters who bravely sacrifice their lives to save people from burning buildings or those who entered the twin towers on the day of the attack. These actions represent the essence of heroism in today’s society. Beowulf embodies these heroic qualities, confirming him as a genuine Epic Hero.
