Posted: October 7th, 2022

Essay: Beowulf Epic Hero

Essay: Beowulf Epic Hero.

Beowulf is a fascinating epic poem that was composed between 975 and 1025 A.D. by an unknown Anglo-Saxon author (Chase 9). This poem has endured for centuries, captivating readers with its tales of heroism and adventure. The story revolves around a brave Geatish warrior, Beowulf, who comes to the aid of King Hrothgar of Denmark after hearing that his people have been living in fear of a monstrous troll called Grendel. Beowulf’s journey to Denmark marks the beginning of his epic quest. Frustrated by the loud, joyful sounds coming from the feasting hall that King Hrothgar had built for his people, Grendel attacks the Danes every night, killing them in their sleep. Grendel’s attacks create a climate of fear and despair in Denmark, highlighting the need for a hero.

From a formal perspective, Beowulf is regarded as an epic poem because 1) it is written in verse, 2) it features a particularly elevated language and 3) it relates the actions of a glorious hero in a narrative form (Steinberg). These characteristics align with the traditional conventions of epic poetry, elevating the story to a grand and timeless scale. According to Aristotle (XXVI), epic poetry is very similar to tragedy in that they are both concerned with imitation and depict people as better than they actually are; however, while tragedy imitates by means of melody and spectacle, epic relies exclusively on words to achieve mimesis. This comparison highlights the power of language in epic poetry to create compelling and memorable characters. From a thematic perspective, an epic poem should contain five elements, namely a hero who succeeds where everybody else has failed, extraordinary deeds that allow the hero to exhibit his superior strength and / or valor, a journey (across a vast land or into the underworld), supernatural elements (demons, deities, time travel, cheating death etc.), and an omniscient narrator. These elements contribute to the epic scope and grandeur of the narrative.

Beowulf contains all of these elements: the main character is a resourceful warrior who manages to tear Grendel’s arm off as soon as he arrives in Denmark, thus proving to be stronger and smarter than the many Danish warriors who confronted the monster before him. This initial victory establishes Beowulf as a formidable hero capable of overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges. Beowulf’s bravery emerges several times throughout the poem: after defeating Grendel, the hero dives into a lake inhabited by sea monsters to reach the cave where Grendel and his mother live; once there, he kills the monster’s mother, whose anger and resentment pose a threat to the Danes; many years later, a much older and weaker Beowulf saves his own people from a terrifying dragon. Each of these encounters tests Beowulf’s courage and resilience, showcasing his unwavering commitment to protecting the innocent. All of Beowulf’s foes (including Grendel’s mother, who fights like a true Amazon) possess superhuman abilities that would frighten any ordinary man. These formidable adversaries highlight the extraordinary nature of Beowulf’s feats of strength and courage. However, being Beowulf an epic hero, he would do anything to ensure the safety of his friends, including losing his own life. Beowulf’s selflessness and willingness to sacrifice himself for others are central to his heroic stature. The story involves two journeys across the sea (although relatively brief): at first, Beowulf has to sail from Geatland to Denmark in order to kill Grendel and rescue the Danes; after completing his mission, he returns to his homeland, where he spends the rest of his life. These journeys symbolize Beowulf’s commitment to fulfilling his duty and protecting those in need. Also, the events are reported by an omniscient author who has full access to the character’s thoughts and feelings. This narrative perspective allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations and experiences.

Despite being a mortal man, Beowulf takes it upon himself to fight three supernatural villains (after all, Grendel’s mother is portrayed like a demonic creature who lives at the bottom of a swamp) without any divine assistance. Beowulf’s courage and determination in facing these supernatural threats solidify his heroic status. Thanks to his courage, strength and superior skills, he succeeds in protecting those who cannot protect themselves, which is what makes him a true hero. Beowulf’s unwavering commitment to justice and the protection of the innocent are hallmarks of his heroic character. In the final act of the poem, he agrees to confront a fire-breathing dragon knowing that this quest will probably be his last. This final act of selflessness demonstrates the depth of Beowulf’s courage and his unwavering dedication to his people. After receiving a fatal wound from the dragon, Beowulf manages to stab him in the belly and before dying, he thanks god for the treasure that he has won and retrieved for the Geats. Beowulf’s final moments are marked by gratitude and a sense of fulfillment, highlighting the significance of his heroic deeds. As a result of his victories and ultimate sacrifice, Beowulf is loved and celebrated by people across Scandinavia, who regard him as the human embodiment of the ideals that characterize their culture, i.e. skillfulness, bravery and generosity. Beowulf’s legacy as a hero transcends his own lifetime, inspiring generations to come.

References
Aristotle. Poetics (335 B.C.). 2013, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1974/1974-h/1974-h.htm. 10 December 2018.
Денисенко, М. В. (2023). GENRE FEATURES OF” BEOWULF” AS A HEROIC EPIC. СТРАТЕГІЇ ТА ІННОВАЦІЇ: АКТУАЛЬНІ УПРАВЛІНСЬКІ ПРАКТИКИ: матеріали VIІ Міжнародної науково-практичної конференції (28 квітня 2023 року).–Кривий Ріг: Донецький національний університет економіки і торгівлі імені Михайла Туган-Барановського, 2023. 354 с., 46.
Chase, Colin. The Dating of Beowulf. University of Toronto Press, 1997.
www.jstor.org/stable/10.3138/j.ctt1287v33. 10 December 2018.
Doğruyol, H. (2022). Two Epic Heroes: The Anglo-Saxon Beowulf And The Turkish Oghuz Khan A Comparative Study. Manisa Celal Bayar University International Journal of English Language Studies, 1(1), 51-63.
Ramey, P. (2024). St. Beowulf: Hagiography and Heroic Identity in Beowulf. Studies in Philology, 121(1), 1-27.
Fahey, R. C., & Swain, L. (2024). Three-Dimensional Heroism in Beowulf. Teaching “Beowulf”: Practical Approaches, 78, 183.
Steinberg, Theodore Louis. Twentieth-century Epic Novels. Newark: University of Delaware Press.
2005.

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Tags: Anglo-Saxon Literature, Beowulf, Epic Hero, Grendel, Supernatural