Guardian
Julia Feeser
Rowland; Period 5
22 September 2012
A hero is someone with the emotional capacity to alter significantly, the lives of others for the better. In some cases, physical accommodation is necessary as well. The epic, Beowulf, by an unknown poet, accurately portrays the characteristics of an epic hero. Strong and intelligent, the hero in the story, Beowulf, defeats many evils and pieces many nations back together. Frequently, Beowulf performs courageous tasks, which determine the fate of many nations, and his actions reflect heavy, timeless values. These characteristics are evidence of Beowulf’s heroism.
Beowulf, who claims to be the mightiest warrior in existence, courageously destroys any monster in his path. As he converses with Hrothgar, king of a land terrorized by the evil monster Grendel, he expresses his power shown in the past. Beowulf tells Hrothgar, “I drove Five great giants into chains, chased/All of that race from the Earth,” speaking of his evil-fighting past (154-155). Raising justice against these monsters takes a lot of strength, which many men do not have. Beowulf, however, carries the necessary amount of power to complete these tasks. Later on, when Beowulf finally gets in front of Grendel, “He who had come to them from across the sea, … had driven affliction/Off, purged Herot clean,” just as he has promised. Beowulf puts forth his best effort and kills Grendel, even with strength left in him (Lines 347-349). This is something no ordinary man can do. Beowulf carries such strength, which allows him to defeat almost anything and anyone.
