Thesis: The role of the Anglo-Saxon Hero in Beowulf represents and defines the values of strength, intelligence, selfness, and courage. Beowulf himself models the culture of the Anglo-Saxon hero, as he is willing to face any odds, and fight to the death for their glory and people I. Strength and physical appearance A. Strength is clearly an important characteristic of heroes in Anglo-Saxon culture and heroic code. 1. The beginning of the story Beowulf is described as having the strength of "thirty men" in just one of his arms. 2. The coastguard also says, "I have never seen a mightier warrior on earth than is one of you, a man in battle-dress." 3. Beowulf often took on courageous and heavy-duty tasks that require intense levels of …show more content…
Beowulf seems to defeat his opponents without any weapons. Thus, showing his impeccable strength. 1. The battle between Beowulf and Grendel conclude with Beowulf ripping Grendel's arm off, fulfilling his promise to Hrothgar to kill the monster with his bare hands. 2. Beowulf says, "I have heard moreover that the monster scorns in his reckless way to use weapons; therefore, to heighten Hygelac's fame and gladden his heart, I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fiend." (433-440) 3. Beowulf nails down Grendel's arm to the mead hall rafters and Grendel is later found to have bled to death in his underwater …show more content…
This quote specifically explains the scene where Beowulf takes down the demon Grendel with his incredible strength. Imagery of Beowulf clamping down on Grendel's arm and wrestling him as he joint-locks the demon occurs. C. Beowulf also proves his strength even when there is no physical task to be accomplished. 1. Beowulf once said, "Well, friend Unferth, you have had your say about Breca and me. But it was mostly beer that was doing the talking. The truth is this: when the going was heavy in those high waves, I was the strongest swimmer of all." (529-534) 2. Beowulf competed in “swimming contests” with other warriors when he wasn’t battling monsters. II. Intelligence A. Beowulf shows superior intelligence in battle, thus making him a creditable/successful hero. 1. Beowulf ends up defeating the monster Grendel by tricking him. 2. Beowulf pretends to be asleep as he hoodwinks Grendel into the hall. 3. Grendel certainly believed he was going to defeat Beowulf because he had no weapons. However, Grendel had no idea Beowulf had superhuman strength with his hands. B. Beowulf’s leadership, advice and cunning tactics is another reason why he earns the title of “epic hero.” 1. The people think of Beowulf very highly for helping them feel
Beowulf sets up a trap allowing Grendel to invade Heorot and devour one man before engaging in combat. When Grendel’s arm was ripped from his body, he
Beowulf is a very strong man. In order to fight and defeat Grendel he must show how strong he is. Beowulf states, “The truth is this: when the going was heavy in those high waves, I was the strongest swimmer of all." (532-534) This quote shows how Beowulf believes that he should always show his strength even when he does not have a heroic act to be accomplished; therefore, even if there is not a demon or dragon to fight, he wants to show his strength in different ways.
Beowulf longed, like so many other Anglo-Saxons, to earn heroism through fame. Aside from killing monsters and wielding magical objects, Beowulf earned a reputation across the land of Great Britain for fighting as an extraordinarily gifted warrior. This reputation, earned over the course of many years, allowed Beowulf to take part in one of the most famous bard tales, a story which is verbally passed down from generation to generation of
Beowulf displays a strong sense of superhuman strength based on his actions. Beowulf’s objective for his quest is to defeat Grendel and his mother. He eventually defeats both of them but is killed while fighting the dragon. Although, while he was battling Grendel’s mother, he defeated her by using force instead of a weapon.
A man of courage can never be defeated by adversity. Inevitably, there are many problems in our life. However, if we are brave enough, we can solve them successfully. In the Hero-Myths and Legends of the British Race, Beowulf had powerful sinews and mighty hands.
Beowulf defeats Grendel with his bare hands, ripping his arm off. Grendel then flees, and eventually falls, becoming surrounded by animals that once feared him. As he dies, Grendel promises, “Poor Grendel’s had an accident. . . . So may you
That technique that Beowulf used was something a ninja would do when he is waiting for his pray. Beowulf was able to bend back Grendel claws by using his hands instead of any weapons,that shows me that you sometimes don't need weapons to beat monsters,Also Beowulf by bending Grendel claws was able to scare Grendel so bad, that Grendel wanted to run away from him,so Beowulf put fear into Grendel that's a really good technique. The second battle that Beowulf fought in the epic poem was against Grendel's Mother who wanted to kill Beowulf for killing her son. In this battle Beowulf didn't not wait for Grendel's mother to come to him, he came to her. The weapon that Beowulf used in this battle was a sword and his hands.
First he was strong enough to stand up to Grendel and claim his victory against his opponent. Everyone knew his strength and therefore believed he was the only one capable of fighting the monster Grendel. In the text the guard for Scyldings tells Beowulf, “I have never seen a mightier warrior on earth” Beowulf was also very strong when he was able to rip out Grendel's shoulder, a monster who made the Danes suffer a tremendous amount. Beowulf was also courageous in his battle because he didn't back down against Grendel. He knew of Grendel's fierce attacks on the Danes but he still came to fight him.
Beowulf sets sail with fourteen of the Geats to battle Grendel. Grendel is so powerful that mere steel cannot injure him. Despite knowing this, Beowulf still chooses to fight him. Not with a sword and a shield, but with his bare hands. “ My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linen shield: my hands alone shall fight for me,” (166-174).
Beowulf is an arrogant man who constantly tries to surpass all other men. The hero is fueled by his greed for power, and boasts of his greatness before battling Grendel. “‘My people… have seen my strength for themselves,/
Beowulf possessed the poised demeanor necessary to defeat all evils by the arrogant swing of his sword. The commitment shown by lending his life to the welfare of his people was imperative in order to be called a flawless warrior. Beowulf embodied the determination that Anglo-Saxons saw as unmeasurably valuable. If nothing more than just fiction, Beowulf is the ideal hero of the people from who he originated. “They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.”
His loyalty could be supernatural, relating to his unknown supernatural powers. Therefore, Beowulf tries to prove himself a hero through his three conflictual battles; the Battle with Grendel, the Battle with Grendel's mother, and the final battle with the Dragon. Beowulf proved himself a hero in the Battle with Grendel by showing immense strength. He was so confident in himself that he said, “Why would I let my sword go where my feet are afraid to,”(170); therefore, he was courageous enough to fight the powerful monster with his bare hands.
In Beowulf’s first battle he battles a half man half beast, he was a little naïve with the strength of Grendel, because he uses his bare hands but in the end he ends up defeating the beast with his bare hands by ripping off his arm
This proves that he is strong and brave because no one else could kill Grendel let alone face him. Beowulf kills Grendel with his bare hands and without armor on. Other warriors could not even kill him with a sword and armor. “Beowulf’s intention to fight Grendel with only his strength proves that he carries the characteristics of a true hero”(Hailey).
Beowulf’s exact words were ‘’Alone shall fight for me, struggle for the life against the monster’’ (Beers 173-174). For proof of his accomplishment Beowulf decided to take,snap, and brake Grendel 's arm apart even his shoulder was missing. Although Grendel escaped going back to the hole he crawled from death soon followed him.(Beers 370-375).Beowulf became famous and was given glory for saving King Hrothgar’s kingdom, but some still questioned despite the arm if Grendel had really been killed. Following after Grendel’s death ,his mother came to avenge her son’s death.