Hope In Beowulf

Throughout history society has created heroes to bring hope in times of need. Superman and Captain America were published during World War II. Writers tried to diminish fear in people and show that Nazis and Hitler could be defeated, all you need to have is hope. During the Anglo-Saxon period, one unknown author created a hero, in the epic poem, Beowulf, the hero gives people hope in the darkest of times. On the suggestion of his lord, hygelac, Beowulf goes to a kingdom he does not even belong to. Beowulf exemplifies the characteristics of a hero by being boastful, unbelievably strong, and acting selflessly.

First of all, when Beowulf is introduced he boasts of all the heroic actions he completed. In the Anglo-Saxon period boasting is a very

Beowulf resides in Geatland he travels across the ocean to come offer his help to the Danes, “proclaiming, that he’d go to the famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed” (114-116). After Beowulf defeated Grendel, he stayed to slay Grendel’s mother who was bent on revenge,“He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s answer...For hours he sank through the waves” (467-469). Just like the poem I am going to fast forward fifty years, Beowulf is now a frail old man who will still save the day. As a dragon is terrorizing his kingdom he does not hesitate to put his own life before his people, “In endless battles, I am old now, but I will fight again seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me” (625-628) “Then Beowulf rose, still brave, still strong, and with his shield at his side, and a mail shirt on his breast, strode calmly, confidently, toward the tower, under the rocky cliffs: no coward could have walked there!” (650-654). With this last battle Beowulf does in fact lose his life but he died by killing the monster and saving his

Beowulf can be considered the first hero to be created, and paved the way for modern day heroes we love to read about. Heros are created to bring light in dark times, they also teach the reader how they can be a hero. Beowulf may have superhuman strength, but selfless comes easy to everyone when they try. He could have let the Danes suffer the wrath of Grendel but Beowulf’s demeanor wouldn’t let him, he could have sent all his men to kill the dragon but he sacrificed himself. A good heart can be just as powerful as superhuman strength, superpower are not what makes a hero. The person’s kindness and love for people make the hero, and Beowulf amplified the characteristics of the perfect