Heroism in Beowulf

            A hero is one who is not only strong, but one who uses his strength to defend others. A hero is humble, charitable, noble and selfless, a humanitarian at best. In the unparalleled epic Beowulf, the tale's namesake represents every characteristic applying to a hero. He is honest, loyal, and courageous. He portrays these characteristics in the battle against Grendel, the scuffle with Grendel's mother, and the fight against the dragon that inevitably ended his life. .
             Beowulf was a man of admirable feats. He had the strength of thirty men in his arms, and would use this strength to help anyone in need. Upon hearing of the dilemma of Grendel and the ill happenings in Hrothgar's kingdom, Beowulf immediately gathered his followers to help the king and defend Heorot. When Beowulf encountered the beast that had terrorized for 12 years, he single-handedly ripped off Grendel's arm, an act ultimately killing the creature. To further define his heroism, Beowulf kept the arm as a trophy of his victory. .
             Upon learning of her son's death, Grendel's mother was irate. She made a personal vow to avenge Grendel's life. By killing one of Hrothgar's most trusted advisors, she presented Beowulf with an "invitation" to her underwater lair in order to avenge her son. Beowulf, being a man of distinguished valor, accepted the challenge enthusiastically and made his way through the gloomy, dreary swamp waters and into the underwater cave. Though the trip was difficult, Beowulf was persistent in his quest. When he reached Grendel's mother, the battle was long and hard, but the hero refused to surrender. He fought until the flustered mother gave up and died. As a token of his deed, Beowulf took a jewel-studded sword from the cave. To further celebrate his heroic feat, he decapitated Grendel and kept his head as a souvenir of his victory. .
             The last battle that Beowulf participated in was perhaps the most heroic of all. Although the battle ended his life, it proved that of all the men in the story, Beowulf was the only true hero.