Beowulfs Heroic Qualities
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In the Old English poem Beowulf, the hero Beowulf is a man who possesses supernatural powers and special weapons, as well as being able to overcome many obstacles and perform heroic actions. Beowulf is not quite as well known as many other heroes we are familiar with, but he is still an epic hero that rivals any other that is known. The amazing strength that he has and his will to succeed and bring good into the world makes him a great hero. Epic heroes are defined in many different ways but his strength and weaponry, as well as the obstacles that he is able to endure, characterize Beowulf.
As one reads the story the reader is presented time and time again with evidence supporting Beowulf's outstanding strength and his choice of weaponry. For example, when he arrives in Heorot, the narrator states, "Of living strong men he was the strongest, / Fearless and gallant and great of heart" (ll. 195-196). This articulates Beowulf's great strength and indicates that it is almost supernatural. We see this again when the author states, "Sea-faring men who have voyaged to Geatland / With gifts or treasure as token of peace, / Say that his hand-grip has thirty men's strength" (ll. 366-368)...