Throughout history, there are great men and women who proved to be heroes through their actions. The actions that made one a hero varied depending on the time and place; in one society, great warriors were heroes, and in another, clever leaders. However, the qualities of a hero are unchanging, no matter what actions he/she performs. In order to be a true hero, the qualities one must possess are the willingness to persevere, courage, and selflessness. Beowulf demonstrates these qualities many times throughout the poem proving that he is a true hero. Beowulf never shrinks from a fight, even when his weapons fail him during battle. When he fights Grendel’s mother his sword breaks as he strikes her, and he begins to fight her without weapons for