Bravery, Courtesy, and Heroism of Beowulf - Essay Example

The overall mood created by the poem is strictly based on the heroism of Beowulf, the legendary hero. Thesis statement: Does Beowulf in the poem possess heroic qualities that can be termed the real qualities of an epic hero?

      The main qualities that can one spot Beowulf as an epic hero in the Old English period are heroism, courtesy, bravery, loyalty, leadership quality, military prowess, and generosity.

Heroism

The most important quality of Beowulf that makes him an epic hero is his heroic quality. For instance, like a real hero, Beowulf was ready to travel a great distance to undertake dangerous tasks. When Hrothgar faced trouble from Grendel, like a real hero, Beowulf left his homeland (Geatland), killed Grendel the monster, and saved all. But Burton Raffel criticizes that the author does not give ample importance to Beowulf’s fight with monsters and dragons (Raffel xi).

Courtesy

Beowulf praises Hrothgar for his nobility and brevity. This proves that he possesses the heroic quality of courtesy. When he entered the land of the Danes, he left his weapons on the shore. This proves his courtesy towards the king and his people. Besides, Beowulf was ready to do anything to prove his courtesy.

 Bravery

Beowulf was a brave warrior. For instance, he fought and killed Grendel the dragon, and his mother, another dragon.  Besides, Beowulf reveals to Hroogar that he did defeat five giants and chased them from the earth.

Loyalty

Beowulf possessed the quality of loyalty. He proved his loyalty towards the king and his people by killing Grendel the dragon. Later, when he became the king, Beowulf did not allow his warriors to fight against Grendel’s mother. Instead, he proved his loyalty toward his people by killing Grendel’s mother on his own.

Leadership quality

The leadership quality of Beowulf helped him to travel to unknown lands with his warriors and to fight monsters and dragons. Besides, leadership quality is so important to an epic hero. 

Military prowess (skill)

Beowulf’s success as a leader proves his military skills. Besides, he was able to maintain a group of warriors with him to help in critical situations. He very well knew that his warriors may not be helpful in the fight between Grendel and his mother. So he went alone to face those demons/beasts /dragons. This proves his military tactics.

Generosity

Beowulf’s generosity or openheartedness is evident in his decision to help the Danes to kill Grendel. Later, even as a king, he was ready to fight against Grendel’s mother to save his people.

     Summing up, one can see that the heroic qualities possessed by Beowulf help him to be a real epic hero with heroism, courtesy, bravery, loyalty, leadership quality, military prowess, and generosity. Besides, Beowulf’s heroism represents the social circumstance of England and its neighboring nations in the Old English Period. So, Beowulf possesses heroic qualities that can be termed the real qualities of an epic hero.