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Beowulf

Beowulf "In a world without hope, a brave soul has nothing to lose." In the epic Beowulf, some might perceive Beowulf as having traits such as being arrogant. Although he is raised in a Pagan society, Beowulf concurs many tasks that an ordinary man could never do. He portrays man in general struggling against outward foes and inward doubts. Beowulf displays his characteristics; courage and strength, fame, perserverence, and compassion; which affords him the opportunity to be looked upon as an epic hero. With a lack of courage, not many can accomplish much. As Beowulf travels, his courage not only grows but stands strong. In his journey to Hrothgar's kingdom, Beowulf is faced with many unbearable tasks many men wouldn't dare to go up against, but with Beowulf, he takes those tasks and runs with them. His fight with Grendal not only proves his courage but his strength as well. Beowulf, being a mortal man, takes Grendal by the hands and tears his hand from his body, leaving Grendal mortally wounded. When Grendal's mother attempts avenge for her son's death, she is rudely awakened. After her kill of Ashchere, she resorts back to her lair in Hell, but not for long. Beowulf goes looking after her and swims through the deep, dark, and miserable waters to Hell. He finds Grendal's mother there and kills her without any warning to her. His bravery saves his people back in his homeland as well. After gaining the throne, a terrible dragon starts to terrorize his home. Here he proves to his people that he is in fact a true hero. He, with the help of his dear kinsman, slays the dragon even after being wounded. His courage and strength truly proves him an epic hero. With an epic hero, one must know of his travels and battles. As is with Beowulf, he is known throughout the lands. His fame helped him tremendously in becoming this hero. His courageous fights and accomplishments led to his known defeats in battle with huge and fierce monsters. After his death, his people promised him a tumulus to be built in his memory so he could be remembered. Not only did his people hear his request, but they honored it as well. They built an enormous tumulus on top of a high cliff over the waters where the boats would see and remember him by. With him in the tumulus, they laid treasures and garments to honor him also. Beowulf tried to alter his fate by defeating tasks almost unbearable for any ordinary man. He suceeds in this very matter and is remembered by the fame produced. Perseverence is yet another key factor for Beowulf being an epic hero. Even after his defeat of Grendal, Beowulf still stayed to help Hrothgar defeat Grendal's mother. Hrothgar was devistated because his beloved counselor Ashchere was subject to her revenge. Beowulf decided to stay and help Hrothgar to rid his kingdom of such a vile creature. He plunged to the the bottom of the firy waters of Hell to kill Grendal's mother once and for all. Not only was he determined to help Hrothgar, but he was also determined to save his own kingdom later from the hidious dragon that terrorized his people. Even after Beowulf was wounded, he defeated the dragon along with being defeated himself. Although he might could have lived seeing he got help right away, he instead died for his people to be set free from fear of the dragon. This proves how Beowulf still persevered Lastly, an epic hero cannot go on without having compassion. Beowulf not only felt pity for the people of Heorot, he also had compassion for them. With this in mind, he went to Heorot hoping to rid them of a monster. His defeat of Grendal's mother was also an act of compassion. His willingness to stay and conquer her even after gaining riches and glory was truly an act of servitude. His slaying of the dragon in his homeland was truly the biggest feat his life claimed. Beowulf knowingly died for his people to be free from fears. This accomplishment was his last and an honor not only for himself but for his people. As Beowulf's accomplishments sure brought him great fame, his life also reflects the pure joy of trying to alter your own fate. He received recognition for his great defeats and prize-winning battles. He is remembered throughout the lands for being a true epic hero. His characteristics led him to his goals in life. His courage, strength, and compassion brought him perseverence, which in turn gave him fame and fortune. The attributes Beowulf displays truly gives him the opportunity to be looked upon as a worthy epic hero. Bibliography:

Word Count: 833