An Essay on Beowulf

Beowulf is a warrior who takes pride in fighting for others and others. Beowulf exhibits multiple characteristics of an epic hero. Beowulf is capable of things that most are not capable of during his time.  Beowulf is capable of deeds of great strength and courage. Beowulf has the courage and strength to challenge the monster Grendel despite Grendel’s history and tendency to slaughter many warriors.
Grendel is a giant monster that is unharmed by human weapons, forcing Beowulf to use nothing but his bare hands. This battle boosts Beowulf’s resume proving that he has great strength and courage since Beowulf took on the challenge that most of the warriors were afraid of. Beowulf’s strength is displayed when he uses bare hands to rip off Grendel’s arm. Beowulf goes underwater to battle with Grendel’s mother with the courage to pass through multiple sea monsters.
This demonstrates Beowulf’s courage since he went through what the other warriors were afraid to, knowing that his life could be taken by Grendel’s mother or the sea monsters. Beowulf returns from his home to put an end to the dragon that has been terrorizing the Danes. Beowulf is of old age at this time but arrays great strength and courage by going to the dragon’s home, with the help of only one other warrior, aware that he may not make it out alive. Beowulf’s strength and courage set him apart from the average warriors.

Beowulf faces supernatural foes in his battles. Beowulf faces Grendel, but Grendel is unharmed by any ordinary weapons. Beowulf’s approach to fighting Grendel must be different than human battles. Grendel’s supernaturalism is emphasized by the warriors’ swords inability to harm him. Beowulf battles with the supernatural dragon that was terrorizing Hrothgar’s men.
The average warriors are not able to tame the dragon. The dragon possessed flames and poison that naturals did not own. Beowulf goes to Grendel’s mother underwater lair to defeat her. Beowulf’s natural sword cannot penetrate her skin since she is a supernatural evil foe. The sword that Beowulf attempts to use would penetrate the skin of an average person, but human weapons fail against Grendel’s mother since she is supernatural. Beowulf partakes in battles and victories against foes with immortal abilities that regular or ordinary warriors cannot handle.
Beowulf owns the credibility of a great warrior. Beowulf boasts stating, “I drove Five great giants into chains, chased All of that race from the earth. I swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean and killing them one by one” (Lines 151-158). Beowulf has fought many sea monsters in the ocean giving him an accomplishment to support his boasting of ability.
Not many, if any, of the warriors could overcome five great giants. Beowulf fought a swimming match with Brecca in the deepest and dangerous seas. Beowulf has the proof behind his boasting since no man could swim and fight off monsters in the seas like him. Beowulf is an established and accomplished warrior before he even fights his biggest battles for Hrothgar.
Beowulf possesses characteristics and abilities that define him as an epic hero. Beowulf takes on tasks or challenges that the average warriors do not have the capability of doing. Beowulf solidifies his already impressive resume in his battles in Daneland.