Beowulf

Beowulf: A Legendary Hero

Beowulf was a story that was composed when England was changing from a pagan to a Christian culture. As a result, the story of Beowulf reflects on the traditions of both pagan and Christian cultures. Beowulf displays many characteristics that distinguish him as the hero of his epic story. His display of loyalty, courage, determination, and gratitude in many different instances throughout the story, all of which embody the ideals of conduct in the Anglo-Saxon culture.

When Beowulf is first introduced in the story, one of the main characteristics he displays from the beginning is loyalty. When Beowulf and his greatest soldiers arrived safely after a journey across the open sea, they are greeted by one of Hrothgar’s men. Hrothgar was the king of Herot and in desperate need of Beowulf and his men. Hrothgar’s lieutenant led them to Hrothgar where Beowulf explained why he and his men had come such a long way. Beowulf was quick to express his loyalty to Hrothgar in the story. Beowulf proved his loyalty in lines 260-261 in the story when he promised Hrothgar he would do his best to cleanse the Hall of Herot of its evils. Loyalty is one the main virtues Beowulf expresses in the story (Pearson, 48).

Another very important virtue that Beowulf projects in the story is his courage. He basically feels no fear. He plans on fighting Grendel, the monster that threatens Hrothgar and the Hall of Herot, with his bare hands. He states this in lines 263-269 of the story (Pearson, 48). Beowulf’s courage guides him through his first fight with Grendel. He expresses this virtue to its fullest when he tears off Grendel’s arm, causing him to flee to his lair. When Grendel flees, this leads Beowulf to one of his next great virtues.

Beowulf expresses his next great virtue when he plans to track down Grendel and his mother and finish them both for good. This virtue would be determination. Beowulf is determined to find the two monsters and end...