The Ideal Hero in Beowulf - 1090 Words

Classifying whether or not Beowulf is an ideal hero, one would have to understand the definition of an ideal hero, and then the decision and whether he has any flaws within this understanding can be made. Beowulf identifies many traits to allow the reader to make his own assumption on this epic poem. According to the dictionary, â€Å"a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities† (dictionary.com?) is the proper guideline to determine if a character is an ideal hero or not. To begin, Beowulf exhibited many characteristics that suggested proper heroic qualities. â€Å" He was strong, an outstanding fighter and very loyal to all who came into his presence† (Killenbeck, and Orci). When Beowulf had to†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"In his last battle, Beowulf was fatally wounded, but he won the battle before he did. This was the fall of a great hero† (Killenbeck, and Orci). Beowulf made sure that his life was lived well enough to carry on his story, but when he finally met his demise it would be the ultimate test. â€Å"After many trials, he was destined to face the end of his days, in this mortal world, as was the dragon, for all his long leasehold on the treasure† (Beowulf, line 2341-2344). Beowulf, the hero for Hrothgar’s people, was now dead and left these people on their own. They don’t have anyone to call on to protect and defeat the monsters that plague them. This is the ultimate test to see whether or not Neeley 4 Beowulf had any affect on the evils, to see if they will learn their lesson and stay away from these people. In conclusion, Beowulf is an epic poem that portrays many characteristics of what an ideal hero of this time would be, the flaws that can come with that burden, and the lasting impressions an ideal hero should have on the people affected by it. Beowulf had confidence he his abilities which led to his reputation being known and well liked. The way he handled the battles and the faith that comes with it, allowed him to be seen as an ideal hero in many peoples’ eyes. As with most heroes though, things become more demanding and they tend to slip in the ways they believeShow MoreRelatedBeowulf - the Ideal Hero1948 Words   |  8 PagesAchilles, Beowulf, Gilgamesh, Samson and Heracles can all be characterized as heroes. However, each of these characters embodies different attributes that earn them the heroic distinction. This paper will seek to show that Beowulf is the mos t heroic figure based on his adherence to the heroic ethos. Also, the character of Gilgamesh will be used as a means of comparison to further showcase the heroic nature of Beowulf. The heroic ethos is a set of values that prioritize and glorify the valorRead More Beowulf - The Ideal Hero Essay1911 Words   |  8 Pages Achilles, Beowulf, Gilgamesh, Samson and Heracles can all be characterized as heroes. However, each of these characters embodies different attributes that earn them the heroic distinction. This paper will seek to show that Beowulf is the â€Å"most† heroic figure based on his adherence to the heroic ethos. Also, the character of Gilgamesh will be used as a means of comparison to further showcase the heroic nature of Beowulf. The heroic ethos is a set of values that prioritize and glorify the valor ofRead MoreEssay Beowulf: The Ideal Anglo-Saxon Hero858 Words   |  4 PagesOriginating in the Anglo-Saxon period, the epic poem Beowulf portrays a legendary hero. Beowulf established the earlier form of heroism, and was then later introduced in to the English culture. 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