Many people aspire to have the qualities of a hero, but few achieve these ambitious goals. The Anglo-Saxons idealized many of the qualities in men that we should still idealize and honor today. In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf possesses most, if not all, of these qualities. Beowulf was a great warrior who was honored by the Anglo-Saxons for his extraordinary abilities and the possession of his idealistic characteristics of generosity, strength, and loyalty.
Beowulf is generous throughout the entire novel. He thinks about others before himself and wants to protect his people more than anything. Before Beowulf leaves to fight Grendel's mother, he tells king Hrothgar that if he is to die during battle to send his treasures that Hrothgar has given him to Higlac, his king back in Geatland (70, ll.1482-1488). He thinks of the Geats" great lord instead of himself or his family. This shows that Beowulf is very generous in giving away something that he had already won in battle. Even when Beowulf is dying, he thinks of other people before himself. He thanks God for his ability to do everything he has been able to do. He goes on to give Wiglaf, his only loyal soldier in the battle against the fire-breathing dragon, his " golden necklace his gold-covered helmet, and his rings, and his mail shirt, and ordered him to use them well-(110, ll. 2794-2813). Few people would even think of offering someone else their prized possessions when they are alive and well, much less on their death bed. Beowulf should be commended for having this attribute, it is something most people will never posses.
Strength is something that either comes naturally or you have to work hard for it. Beowulf was naturally strong. He has the strength of thirty men in his hands (35, l. 380). Beowulf uses this strength on several occasions. One of these occasions being when he kills Grendel, a descendent of Cain who could kill thirty men at once.
