Beowulf the Hero
Beowulf the HeroIn the classic epic, Beowulf, the ideals of conduct held so dear to the Anglo-Saxon people embodies the main character in the story, Beowulf. He was not a hero because of his great accomplishments alone but also by the way he conducted himself in attaining those conquests. Beowulf exemplified the ideals of conduct a true hero should compose himself by.
The most obvious pair of ideals were those of strength and wisdom. These are most apparent not only because they are obvious but also because of Beowulf himself proclaiming them to all whom will hear. King Hrothgar said, “He was the strongest of the Geats…greater and stronger than anyone else in the world.” He also outsmarts many of his adversaries with his keen wit and great wisdom. He was the “wisest, most knowing, and best of them.” One example of this is his encounter with Unferth in the sea where he used his strength and wisdom instead of the sword to win. With Beowulf’s superhuman strength and vast intelligence, he was a formidable force to be reckoned with.
Another pair of virtues that Beowulf carried were those of honor and dignity. He displays admirable honor of war throughout the epic but is most apparent when he is in conflict with Grendel. He states to Grendel, “Since you have no weapon of iron, nor shall I.” He did this because he wanted it to be a fair fight and the sword would make it unfair and since Grendel had no weapon but his bare hands, Beowulf followed suit and the two engaged in combat with their fists. The dignity that should be displayed by all great heroes didn’t spare this one of itself. Beowulf lives, fights, and especially dies with the same dignity that made him great in the first place. He constantly told his followers that they need not engage themselves in the aid of Beowulf for it would be unfair to the adversary. He also gave all that he had to Wiglaf, his one true follower, in his dying moments. As cited by the aforementioned deeds, Beowulf was a man of great honor and dignity that could be looked up to for those traits alone.
Still another pair of virtues that made Beowulf great were those of courage and loyalty. The question is asked: who among us would be willing to oppose a monster whose sole purpose in fighting is to eat you? Beowulf did… several times. That shows his great courage; courage greater than any ordinary man’s. Beowulf not only defeated a man-eating monster, but also slew his mother and his friend, the Dragon. His loyalty to his word is something to envy. He told the Danes that he would protect them and that he did…for the remainder of his life. After he killed Grendel, he returned fifty years later at an extremely old age when the Danes were oppressed again, this time by the dragon. He gave his life fighting to uphold his word. That is loyalty at its finest.
Beowulf is a hero known far and wide for the virtues and ideals of conduct that made him who he is. Great battles and mighty victories do not make the complete hero, these six and many more virtues make the hero who he is. Beowulf is a great man known far and wide for his heroic qualities and he truly makes this story epically proportioned.