Beowulf: The Perfect Hero of the Anglo-Saxons .
A hero is courageous and noble in purpose. In the epic poem, Beowulf, written by an unknown author, the hero displays the ideals of conduct from the culture in which it was composed. Beowulf is the perfect hero: fighting for his people and vanquishing evil with his extraordinary abilities to bring peace and justice. Three of Beowulf's traits that support him as being the perfect hero are amazing physical strength, ability to put his people's welfare before his own, and the fact that he does not fear death. .
Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physical strength. He fought in numerous battles, and he returned victorious until his death. He uses his strength to kill the monster, Grendel, who has been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years. With his bare hands, Beowulf rips off the monster's arm leaving him to die. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel's vengeful mother, he is slays her by slashing her neck with a Giant's sword that could only be lifted by Beowulf. After cutting her head off, he amazingly carries it from the ocean with ease. It later takes four men to carry it back to Herot. Strength is an essential trait of Beowulf's heroism. .
Another heroic trait Beowulf possesses is the ability to put his people's welfare before his own. Beowulf's uncle, King of the Geats, sends him as an emissary to help rid the Danes of the evil Grendel. Beowulf risks his own life for the Danes, asking help from no one. He realizes the dangers, but fears nothing. After Beowulf serves his people as King of the Geats for fifty years, he goes to battle one last time to fight a horrible dragon. Although Beowulf is old and tired, he defeats the dragon in order to protect his people. Even in death, he wishes to secure the safety of the Geats, building a lighthouse to help the people find their way back from sea. .
The most heroic of traits within Beowulf is that he is not afraid of death.
