Beowulf; A True Hero

A True Hero

Epic battles, terrifying monsters, extraordinary strength, and great leadership; these characteristics and encounters are what make up the epic hero that is Beowulf. The heroism exemplified by Beowulf is defined by many different qualities. Beowulf is truly a hero because he is willing to put himself at great risk for the greater good.

Beowulf's defeats of Grendel and Grendel's mother establish him as a hero because he did it to save his people, rather than for his own glory. Beowulf is brought from his homeland to Heorot as an aegis for Hrothgar's people. This illustrates the point that he was willing to put himself at risk because he fought the monster with his bare hands and put himself in peril just for the sake of saving others.

"I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heave war-board: hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fiend. Whichever one death fells must deem it a just judgment by God." (Heaney lines 436-441).

Grendel had obfuscated Heorot for twelve years and had killed many with his mighty strength. Beowulf knows that by going into a melee with the evil monster Grendel, he is endangering his own life. He also knows, however, that if he dies during the battle it will have been for a just cause because he was saving his people. Beowulf not only fights Grendel but also Grendel's mother. Grendel's mother comes back to Heorot to get revenge on the people who killed her son. Beowulf courageously runs to the rescue when his people are in need. This is another instance in which Beowulf knows that he is putting himself in danger for the sake of others.

"...I ask you to recall what we said earlier: that you, son of Halfdane and gold-friend to retainers, that you, if I should fall and suffer death while serving your cause, would act like a father to me afterward. If this combat kills me, take care of my young company, my comrades in arms" (Heaney 1475-1481).

Even though Beowulf knows that he could lose his life, he is concerned about what will happen to his people should he die. Beowulf makes Hrothgar promise him that if he dies he, Hrothgar, will look after his warriors and make sure no harm comes of them. Lastly, Beowulf is offered a position of leadership by Hrothgar for his courageous efforts at saving his people. "In all things you are even-tempered, prudent, and resolute. So I stand firm by the promise of friendship we exchanged before. Forever you will be your people's mainstay and your own warriors' helping hand" (Heaney 1705-1708). Beowulf's ability to protect his people without any care of losing his own life made him a true hero and also gave him the qualities of a great leader.

Beowulf's warriors praise him after his death as being a hero and a gracious and kind king who always defended his people with honor and minimal pride. This is an especially difficult thing to accomplish. "The hero follows a code that exalts indomitable will and valor in the individual, but society requires a king who acts for the common good, not for his own glory" (Leyerle 56). These two characters, the epic hero and the mighty king, often conflict with each other. Each one has different characteristics. The hero acts solely out of pride for his accomplishments, while the king does everything for the betterment of his people. Beowulf is one of the rare heroes that embodies both of these qualities and is able to successfully protect his people from all dangers. Beowulf is offered the throne by Hrothgar after his defeat of Grendel's mother. He exhibits his graciousness and selflessness by denying the throne. Instead he allows the rightful heir to take the throne and patiently waits for his turn to be the ruler of his people. Once Beowulf does become king, he rules with great leadership and keeps his kingdom safe for 50 years. "The wide kingdom reverted to Beowulf. He ruled it well for fifty winters, grew old and wise as warden of the land" (Heaney 2208-2210). During his reign as king Beowulf could have gone to war with many of his enemies. Instead, he remained in his homeland for fifty years and kept his people safe from all dangers.

Beowulf does not shirk from his duty of protecting his people even when he is very old and likely to die in battle. At this point in the story Beowulf is now an old man and, although he still has the strength of thirty men, he is more effete than he used to be. "Even in his old age, his code of honor still obligates him to fight against an evil, fiery dragon" (Sigona 1). He goes into battle against the dragon to stop him from terrorizing his people. "I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in