He looked out the window, to see whether any handicapped, helpless person was down there in need of his help. He saw two monster-sized creatures gather up on to a street full of people. Not bothering about the consequences, he jumped onto the creatures, put his arms around their necks, and with a little jerk from his strong arms, broke their delicate little bones, sending their souls to hell. The citizens cheered and clapped for the epic hero, and he was glad that he was there just in time to save their lives. Yet, the questions that come to mind would be about why did our super hero jump from the top of the building to attack the enemy. To save his people from danger? To rescue the city from the deadly monster? So that his people can "live happily ever after"? Or to make himself look like a hero and get worshiped by his people? An ideal epic hero has to have qualities such as being brave and strong, being able to defeat enemies "no one else can", travel through dangerous paths, and to aid his people. Yet, these epic heroes mostly do not tend to have an aim to save their people but rather see their own advantage in every "good dead" they do first. Beowulf and Gilgamesh, two of the most prominent characters in history of literature, and both examples of epic heroes who definitely are brave, yet think of themselves before any other, characterizing themselves as being materialistic. .
Beowulf, Higlac's follower, was considered to be the strongest of the Geats, and was the greatest warrior in the world. He was a great warrior, and everybody had faith in him to fight any evil. Beowulf had gone all the way to Herot to kill Grendel because he had killed many citizens of Herot. Yet, the main motive for Beowulf to go all the way to Herot was to receive fame from their citizens. "" Beowulf, being the strong epic hero he is, could easily kill Grendel with a sword, but what would be the difference between him and any warrior? Beowulf wanted the cheers and applauds from the people, and that is why, he wanted to show his bravery.