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In folktales, legends, mythology, and even the Bible, people are told stories of men with unimaginable strength. They perform heroic feats and give service to the people they love. In the Old English epic of Beowulf, by an unknown author, people are enlightened of another such hero. Beowulf, the main character of the epic, is very much an epic hero.
Epic heroes are defined according to many parameters, but the two that most apply to Beowulf are supernatural powers and weapons and obstacles or heroic actions. Throughout the story, there is evidence of Beowulf's astounding strength and war-gear. When Beowulf arrives at Heorot, the narrator describes him by saying, Of living men he was the strongest, / Fearless and gallant and great of heart (132 - 133). This passage articulates that Beowulf is stronger than any other man, and that his strength is supernatural. Later it also states that he has the hand-grip of thirty men.
His strength is like many other famous legends like Hercules and Samson. They were heroes and Beowulf is no different from them. Beowulf receives many special weapons to aid him. During the battle with Grendel's mother, Beowulf discovers a sword among the extra gear. The narrator says, Saw mid the war-gear a stately sword, / An ancient war-brand of biting edge, / Choicest of weapons worthy and strong, / The work of giants, a warriors joy (1046 - 1049). This mysterious weapon proves that Beowulf is an epic hero.
It is conveniently there for him when he needs it most, and Fate, or God, often favors the hero of a story. It is also the only sword or weapon that will even harm the Troll-Wife. Beowulf is also aided by his chain mail armor. The narrator describes the scene when he says, Swift she grappled and grasped the warrior / With horrid grip, but could work no harm, / No hurt to his body; the ring-locked born / Cloaked his life from her clutching claw; / Nor could she tear through the tempered mail (996 - 1000). It never states for a fact that his armor is enchanted in anyway, but it does withstand the powerful grip of the Troll-Wife. Every hero needs protection and Beowulf has the best possible.
The armor that Beowulf wears enables him to gain the advantage in the battle. Beowulf's strength and weapons indicate that he is a true hero. Beowulf has to confront many obstacles and challenges as a hero. Beowulf comes all the way from Hygelacs kingdom to Heorot to fight Grendel, and when he is about to fight him he says, Therefore I scorn to slay him with the sword, / Deal deadly wound, as I well might do! / Nothing he knows of noble fighting (509 - 511). This obstacle shows Beowulf's courage, strength, and heroic behavior.
He does not say this out of pride; he wants the fight with Grendel to be as fair as possible. Beowulf is usually confident about his battles, but he is never too confident. He always makes some sort of plans in case he dies. After he defeats Grendel, the Troll-Wife tries to avenge her son.
When the narrator describes the scene he says, The she-wolf bore / The ring-prince down through the watery depths / To her den at the bottom; nor could Beowulf draw / His blade for battle (1001 - 1004). Beowulf's next obstacle is to defeat the Troll-Wife in her own lair. This time his sword fails him and he is left without a weapon. However, Fate favors the hero once again, and he is able to locate another sword. This shows that he is indeed an epic hero and that Fate or God favors him.
Beowulf's final obstacle is to defeat the dragon, and the narrator describes the event by saying, Clad in his war-gear he waited the rush. / In twisting folds the flame-breathing dragon / Sped to its fate (1536 - 1538). This time Beowulf uses equipment for the battle; however, he is very old now. Being a hero to his people, he still decides to fight the dragon despite his old age. This shows his great character and courage once again.
Beowulf does lose the battle, but this also shows that he has a weakness like all other heroes do. Superman loses his strength when he is near Kryptonite, and Beowulf lost his strength when he got old. Beowulf's supernatural strength and weapons and the obstacles that he had to face bear witness that he is an epic hero. Beowulf is not as renowned as Hercules, Odysseus, or Superman, but he deserves the title of an epic hero. He exhibits many qualities of an epic hero and he is very worthy to be named among the best.
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