He takes a firm grip on Grendel's arm and rips it off. Grendel realizes that he does not stand a chance against Beowulf, and decides to escape from Herot, mortally wounded. But after the festivities after Beowulf had killed Grendel, a new terror arises, namely Grendel's mother. She attacks Herot, once again while they are asleep, and manages to take one of Hrothgar's closest friends and advisor, Esher. Beowulf is furious, and chases the monster to its lair, which is hidden below a black lake. Then the two of them fight furiously until Beowulf spies a giant's sword hanging on the wall, which he grabs and decapitates the beast's head with. He also finds Grendel lying dead, and decapitates his head as well, and then goes back to Herot with his two trophies. .
Many years later, when Beowulf has become an aged king, a dragon (also known as a wyrm) comes upon his kingdom like a plague, causing destruction and death wherever he travels, The reason for the dragon's fury is that a slave of one of Beowulf's lords had discovered the cavern, which the dragon had been guarding, with a treasure inside and stolen a cup to bring back to his lord.
Taking up his responsibility to protect his people, Beowulf heads off to kill the creature, accepting armor and a sword to compensate for his age , accompanied by eleven men and the terrified thief as the thirteenth to guide them to the cavern.
Upon reaching the dragon's cavern, Beowulf roars a challenge and the dragon meets him in a battle of strength. The battle seems to be going well, until one notices that Beowulf's armor is melting in the heat of the dragon's flames. The band of warriors that had accompanied their king decides to flee, as the prospect of defeat becomes almost a certainty. All except for Wiglaf, a Swede, who runs to help his friend and king. Together they defeat the dragon, but at the expense of a mortal wound to Beowulf.
Up until the end of Beowulf's life he was constantly looking to be the hero. ... This is what makes Beowulf a true hero. ... Beowulf was one of the most noble and moral epic heroes. ... Beowulf is the prime example of an epic hero. ... Beowulf is most definitely an epic hero of epic proportions, and a hero of the ages. ...
Beowulf is a hero to the people in many different ways. ... I believe Beowulf was a great leader. ... I think a hero is someone who tries his or her best to help others. Even when things get ruff, in the end a hero is someone who stuck through it no matter what. In this story, Beowulf was certainly a hero. ...
Beowulf, the hero in this literary piece, did as such, and he ultimately surpassed the qualities of being an epic hero. Accordingly, heroes and epic heroes alike gained the praise and respect of their subjects as well as their enemies. ... Any hero needs strength in order to be of value. ... Beowulf had uncertainty in what he was capable of doing like any hero, for he was a mortal and could be killed. ... All of these seemed unlikely to be accomplished, but as all epic heroes Beowulf completed each task. ...
To most Beowulf would be considered to be a hero. ... Beowulf characterizes the Anglo-Saxon's idea of a hero. ... His traits and actions made Beowulf an Anglo-Saxon hero. ... In Beowulf, Beowulf is the hero and is a well known warrior. ... Beowulf's "noble birth" separates him from modern day heroes. ...
A hero had to be self-reliant, courageous and honorable. ... In the book Beowulf, the hero, Beowulf shows a lack of courage he has under any problem or circumstances. ... In conclusion, the only way a hero can be a true anglo-saxon hero is if he or she follows the nine noble virtues. Many people might still have different thoughts and opinions of Beowulf being a Anglo-saxon hero. However, we should all know that Beowulf is and will always be a hero. ...
Beowulf Essay by Denny "The Yellow Dart" Fulton In the next four paragraphs will prove that Beowulf has the qualities of an epic hero. ... This essay will show Beowulf's saga as a hero. ... Wow he accomplished all that with out being called an epic hero yet. " Beowulf carries Grendel's head to the king Hrothgar...." ... Showing that Beowulf has now another reason for the role of an epic hero. ... Ok now the thesis was proven that Beowulf could be an epic hero. ...
The title character of Beowulf is on of the earliest examples of an Anglo-Saxon literary hero. ... It can therefore be said that Beowulf is a classic Anglo-Saxon hero. ... Such confidence in skill projects Beowulf as a true Anglo-Saxon hero. ... To the 10th century European reader of Beowulf, the title character is a might hero indeed. ... It can therefore be reasonable to say that Beowulf is one of the earliest examples of an Anglo-Saxon literary hero. ...
Beowulf: An Ideal Hero Beowulf is an outstanding epic poem set in the Anglo-Saxon period that tells the tale of a hero of the land. ... Being a great warrior and a devoted king makes Beowulf the ideal hero for the Anglo-Saxon period. ... Beowulf had fate on his side to make him the most courageous hero of his time. ... Beowulf had fate on his side leading others to believe that he was a great hero. ... Thus, making Beowulf the greatest, most well known hero of his time. ...