Profiling A Hero

A true hero does not fear death or, but instead risks all that he is for what he believes to be right, moral, and just. Beowulf is an epic and tells the story of a legendary hero, conquering all obstacles as if he was immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf's life he was constantly looking to be the hero. However, his humanity is exposed by his death. Heroes all share the characteristic of their willingness to die in their effort to accomplish their heroic act, thus making the act in itself heroic. Throughout the epic, Beowulf overcomes the evil contentions of others and exhibits the qualities necessary to be granted the status of a hero.

The deserving right of a hero derives from the risks he takes. For instance, when Beowulf hears the tales of the monster Grendel that terrorizes the Danish kingdom, he immediately has the urge to lend his assistance to the situation, knowing that he is the only one who can defeat the evil. "I alone and with the help of my men, /may purge all evil from this hall" (Raffel 25, 165-166). Beowulf is swift to respond without once considering the price he might pay for his bravery. Furthermore, Beowulf displays courage even after Grendel's death. He decides that he is unwilling

Even after hearing of the power Grendel behelds; Beowulf implore

consumingly obvious the obese control the monster had was indeed apparent.

In addition to taking risks, a hero is often confronted with the wicked hostilities from opposing foes. In Beowulf's case the opposition arises from a thought to be ally; Vexed by Beowulf's accomplishments. Unfurth spitefully declares Beowulf a fool in the public ear of his companions by saying, "You're Beowulf, are you the same/ Boastful fool who fought a swimming Match with Brecca..." (27, 239-241). Instead of encouraging or aiding Beowulf in his quest to defeat Grendel, Unfurth reminisces over petty ploys of jealousy. Not only is Beowulf faced with his ill mannered ally, but also by Grendel's fiendish

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