Beowulf Is Not A Hero Essay

As it has been said before by many a great professors, There is nothing noble in being superior to your peers; true nobility lies in being better than your former self. If only Beowulf understood this concept, perhaps he’d be regarded as a hero. Although Beowulf does save citizens and eradicate the monsters that are terrorizing them, the way he goes about it shows his true character. His intentions make him no better than the monsters he kills. Beowulf intends to go about his “good” deeds for fame and fortune, whereas a true hero will fight to protect people out of the kindness of their heart and pure selflessness. Therefore Beowulf is not a hero. Although Beowulf is the biggest offender in the pride game, many of the other characters feed into his ego and bash it. As seen in lines 110-111, the narrator, very positively, describes Beowulf as,”

It comes solely from Beowulf. Throughout the poem Beowulf speaks very highly of himself. Stating that, “No man can swim in the sea/ as I can no strength is a match for mine” (266-267). The brag-induced statement is only one of the many overly confident things Beowulf slurs. For instance at the end of the poem, Beowulf is old and weary yet, he still maintains that, “No one else could do/ what I meant to, here, no man but me/ could hope to defeat this monster. No one/ could try” (682-685). He is referring to the dragon that he has vowed to kill. Even in old age he only fights for what he wants. In this case the dragon protects hoard of gold and Beowulf is set on retrieving it. Unfortunately god was no longer on Beowulf’s side for this battle, he died a fiery death. On his deathbed, Beowulf finally does something worth being called noble. He looks to Wiglaf, the only remaining soldier, and requests that the dragon’s gold goes to the people of his kingdom. Although this deed is meant for the greater good, Beowulf has lived out his life merely helping, those in need, for