Question

What are important characteristics within Beowulf that make Beowulf an epic hero?

Accepted Answer

Some of Beowulf’s most important traits as an epic hero include bravery, loyalty, honor, superhuman physical strength, and the willingness to risk his life for the greater good. These characteristics are exemplified in Beowulf’s epic deeds, including slaying Grendel and Grendel’s mother. Beowulf later also demonstrates the epic trait of being a just ruler of his people, the Geats, and sacrificing his life to slay the dragon that threatens them.

Answer

Beowulf is considered an epic hero because he performs impressive superhuman feats that have won the admiration of his peers. By traveling to Heorot in the land of the Danes, Beowulf, a Geat, has left his home to slay Grendel, a seemingly unstoppable monster. Hrothgar calls upon Beowulf for aid because no other man can stop Grendel – Beowulf’s reserves of immense strength, agility, durability, and willpower distinguish him from other men, and it is these distinctions that make Beowulf an epic hero. For without such abilities, Beowulf would be unfit to maim Grendel with his bare hands, swim down a lake to reach the lair of Grendel’s Mother, and slay the dragon that ultimately kills him in return.
Bear in mind, however, that one does not need to be a moral exemplar to be an epic hero. Beowulf is only considered an epic hero because of his ability to rise to certain challenges that regular humans cannot endure (although Beowulf, like any epic hero, can still die or be killed). Though Beowulf comes to Heorot out of gratitude for a favor Hrothgar completed for his father, Beowulf’s motivations hardly influence his status as an epic hero – had he been altruistic or fame-hungry before slaying Grendel, Beowulf would have been considered an epic hero all the same. Before modern notions of heroism emerged in contemporary storytelling, a hero was more defined by deed than by character.

Answer

Beowulf embodies several traits that make him a textbook epic hero. Some of these traits include his larger-than-life physical strength, his courage in the face of extreme danger, and his loyalty to both his superiors and the men who serve him.
An epic hero is not perfect or immortal, but he is a sort of superhuman. He is larger-than-life in the sense that his qualities exceed those of regular humans. For example, an epic hero will have extraordinary strength. Beowulf displays this best when he fights Grendel and rips his arm from his body. Grendel is an imposing beast who has already easily destroyed a number of men, including warriors who are strong and experienced fighters. Beowulf's feat in killing Grendel perfectly displays how his physical strength sets him apart from others. 
Beowulf is also incredibly brave and willing to put himself into physical danger to save the lives of others. First, he decides to go to Hrothgar's kingdom of his own volition despite hearing the horrific reports about the damage Grendel has caused. He seeks out Grendel's mother in her cave, so he is putting himself into a foreign environment to face off with an angry, violent monster. Later in his life, when he is much older, Beowulf sacrifices himself fighting a dragon to protect his kingdom. 
Finally, Beowulf is loyal to his superiors and to the men who serve him. Before he goes into a battle or fights any of the monsters he faces, he makes sure his men will be taken care of. He is their lord, and they swear fealty to him. He is responsible for them, and he holds up his end of the bargain. Beowulf is repaid by one of his men, who finishes off the dragon after it has mortally wounded Beowulf himself. His men also honor him after his death, memorializing him as the epic hero he has proven himself to be.

Answer

Beowulf is an epic hero for many reasons. Three of Beowulf's most epic characteristics are strength, honor, and the ability to rule justly. 
1) Strength: First and foremost, Beowulf is strong, and is known to possess power greater than any normal warrior. This is evidenced by his ability to wrench off the gigantic Grendel's arm and by his ability to contend with Grendel's equally monstrous mother. In short, Beowulf, like Hercules and Achilles, is far stronger than conventional warriors, and his superhuman abilities elevate him to an epic status.
2) Honor: Beowulf is also described as being honorable and virtuous. This characteristic comes into play many times, but it is most evident in Beowulf's commitment to fighting Grendel in hand-to-hand combat, rather than using man-made weapons. Beowulf reasons that Grendel does not use weapons, and so he will likewise eschew any armament besides his own strength. Thus, Beowulf shows that he follows a respectable code of honor, extending respect even to monstrous foes.
3) The ability to rule justly: Beowulf rounds out his epic qualities by proving himself to be a capable ruler. He clearly does not want power, as he initially refuses the throne of his country and only becomes king when it's clear there is no other option. He then goes on to rule for fifty years, and it seems as if the period of his rule is marked by peace and prosperity. As such, Beowulf is epic not only because he is a skilled fighter, but also because he is capable of justly ruling the kingdom entrusted to him.

Answer

There are four characteristics that all epic heroes must have—they are Glorified, On a Quest, Ethical, and Strong. Beowulf is glorified not only because of his noble birth, but because of his past deeds and accomplishments. Beowulf is on a quest, not only at the beginning of the poem (to kill Grendel), but throughout the poem—his mission is to gain more fame and fortune. He is considered ethical because of his protective nature and willingness to help the Danes with their problem. Although it is debated, I would argue that Beowulf gradually loses this trait through the story. Lastly, Beowulf is strong. His strength is exemplified through his ability to complete tasks no other man can complete, such as ripping off Grendel's arm, lifting and wielding the giant-forged sword, and carrying Grendel's head without assistance.

Answer

An epic hero has to perform heroic deeds.  Beowulf kills Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon, all of which are heroic deeds that no one else was able or willing to take on.  The foes that Beowulf fought were all beyond human strength and capabilities and required superhuman abilities to bring down.  Beowulf performed these deeds for the good of others, which is another quality of an epic hero.  In the end, though, it was the human mortality of Beowulf which brought him down when the poison wound caused by the dragon resulted in Beowulf's death.

Beowulf

What are important characteristics within Beowulf that make Beowulf an epic hero?

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