Beowulf: The Ultimate Hero Essay -- Epic of Beowulf Essays

A hero is one who places himself or herself at risk for some other byperforming great deeds of courage. In the epic poem Beowulf, the character of Beowulf isclearly a hero. Not only is Beowulf a hero because of his natural strength, but he also gives the gloryto God. Beowulf is the ultimate hero who put his life on the line for an entirekingdom. Beowulfs heroism can be seen when he takes 14 of the bravest in hisland to go help Hrothgar. Hrothgar was Beowulfs fathers close friend who hadbeen plagued by attacks for twelve years that threatened an entire kingdom.Beowulf did not have to twirl Hrothgars kingdom help, but does so because hewants to uses his God given strength to the best of his ability. As soon asBeowulf heard of the troubles in this land he set sail immediately. Beowulfcontinues to show his thankfulness by thank ing God for giving them safe travelacross the sea. Beowulf is lead to Hrothgar and offers him is services.-Now sit down to the feast, and, in cod epoch, listen to lays of warriorsvictories, as your heart may prompt you. (15)Beowulf is asked by the warriors to tell of his past defeats while eating inHrothgars palace. Beowulf is already a hero to the mickle of this land for heis about to rid them of their enemy. The warriors are anxious to here what hehas done and what he plans to do to Grendel. Here Beowulf puts on his running berth and runs through his battle plan mentally just as any great athlete woulddo before a big meet. As the junketeer continues, Hrothgar thanks Beowulf, andpromises him gre... ... Beowulf can be called the ultimate hero because he put his life on theline for an entire kingdom. Even though Beowulf had hoped that his people wouldwelfare from all of the treasures he had stored up, we are taught, the materialthings that one earns during ones life can not stop what is Gods will. Foreverything in life must come to an end and that time is always uncertain, evenfor a hero. Works Cited Beowulf and Other Old English Poems. Trans. Constance B. Hieatt. New York Odyssey Press, 1967.