The Qualities Of An Anglo Saxon Hero - 1014 Words

Bravery. Honor. Intelligence. Loyalty. Sense of Duty. Selflessness. Sense of Justice. Strength. Boasting. These are the common characteristics of an Anglo-Saxon hero. Anglo-Saxon heroes display some or all of these attributes, which help distinguish them as a hero. Much like Batman and Superman or other heros of modern day, Anglo-Saxon heroes protect the public against evil foes, or perhaps Villains. They act courageously and selflessly, without seeking personal gain. Also, they possess an overwhelming sense of duty to protect those in need. Furthermore, Superheros are loyal to those they serve, whether it be their lord, or the Lord. With all these characteristics in mind, the character of Beowulf can clearly be seen as an Anglo-Saxon hero. Specifically, his overwhelming bravery, loyalty, and sense of duty establish him as an Anglo-Saxon hero. First of all, Beowulf is the pure embodiment of bravery. A man who â€Å"drove five great giants into chains, chased all of that race from th e earth†, and also â€Å"swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean and killing them one by one†, is clearly the bravest man alive, bar none. Furthermore, even before he slayed Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the Dragon, Beowulf already had a reputation as one of the bravest men in the word. Then, while battling the three beasts we witness in Beowulf, he further shows his bravery by killing Grendel with nothing but â€Å"the strength in his fingers.† After that, he swims down throughShow MoreRelatedComparing Beowulf, The Wanderer, And The 13th Warrior1731 Words   |  7 Pagesalways reappears is What is an epic hero? Or better yet an epic hero in Anglo Saxon culture. I believe there is more to being a hero than just being strong or intelligent. An epic hero in my eyes is oneself who comes to portray the beliefs of the society in which the tale/story is depicted. A few great examples of the Anglo Saxon epic hero are the literary characters in Beowulf, The Wanderer, and The 13th Warrior. These are all outstanding examples of Anglo-Saxon epic heroes because they all cameRead MoreThe Dream of the Rood: An Outstanding Archetype of Christian Influence on Anglo-Saxon Heroism1158 Words   |  5 Pagesexample of Christian influence upon Anglo-Saxon heroism. It is a religious short story that recounts the crucifixion of Christ communicated from Christ’s rood to an unnamed visionary. The crucifixion of Christ is depicted as the ul timate act of heroism. However, it is via Anglo-Saxon tradition that Christian ideology manages to influence the definition and imagery of Anglo-Saxon heroism. In â€Å"The Dream of the Rood† Christ is an Anglo-Saxon hero. An Anglo-Saxon hero is valiant, strong or mighty and notRead MoreBeowulf : Characteristics Of An Epic Hero978 Words   |  4 Pages20/11/17 Beowulf: Characteristics of an Epic Hero In Anglo-Saxon literature and culture, to be considered a hero was to also be considered a warrior/ soldier. To be a hero, you had to not only be strong but you also had to be smart, and have plenty of courage. These warriors were willing to face any type of trials and tribulations at any odd. These types of heroic warriors would fight to the death to obtain glory and save their people. The Anglo-Saxon hero needed to possess all of these characteristicsRead MoreBeowulf: Epic Hero Essay example961 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf: Epic Hero An epic hero, an Anglo-Saxon hero, a modern-day hero; A hero is is often defined by certain qualities, looked upon traits. We have heroes amongst our lives everyday, from saving a life to simply helping someone out. In the epic poem, â€Å"Beowulf†, Beowulf was the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The Anglo-Saxon code reflects much of the code of Chivalry, the code of the Samurai, to the modern-day code of just doing good. He embodied courage, honesty, loyalty, and muchRead MoreBeowulf : An Epic Hero978 Words   |  4 Pagesthat exudes the qualities of an epic hero. Throughout this epic, Beowulf is seen as a hero to many and a major threat to the evils he encounters. The values of the Anglo-Saxons, who would have read and admired this poem, included loyalty, bravery, and honor. Beowulf’s character exemplifies all of these qualities to the highest degree. The values and traditions of the original composers of this story cause Beowulf’s character to be the perfect example of an Anglo-Saxon epic hero. There areRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare977 Words   |  4 Pagesto the culture’s values and traits that are noble to them. Beowulf, as an epic hero, is a direct representation of the ideal man as seen through Anglo-Saxon eyes. In looking at the poem Beowulf and analyzing the characteristics of the epic hero, it will become evident the desired attributes that were desired in the Anglo-Saxon culture: physical strength, pride, bravery, selflessness, and loyalty. An epic hero is a person that is admired for great achievements and inspires great events. Read MoreBeowulf : An Epic Hero894 Words   |  4 Pagesmake a great epic hero. Throughout his lifetime he displayed several characteristics such as honor, bravery, physical superiority, leadership, and glory. These characteristics all formed how the Anglo-Saxons believed one should live their life. Along with the valorous deeds that Beowulf accomplished he is considered to be a prime example of an epic hero. Beowulf would have even been considered a model human to the Anglo-Saxons due to how he consistently demonstrated these qualities. Beowulf demonstratedRead MoreBeowulf : An Epic Hero930 Words   |  4 Pages The story of Beowulf shows its reader many characteristics of why this Anglo-Saxon poem is an epic. First of all, Beowulf is a warrior of epic renown by the time he formally introduces himself in the poem. Next, Beowulf is the warrior that many strive to be in life. In addition, Beowulf finds himself tackling many quests that involve dangerous beasts, or as he might call them, demons. The next quality shown by Beowulf is his bravery and honor. The reader is able to easily identify this characteristicRead More Epic of Beowulf Essay1033 Words   |  5 Pageswriter incorporated many of the ideals of the Anglo-Saxons. Some of these ideals included loyalty, bravery, selflessness, and justice and were demonstrated in the hero. Both the characters Beowulf and Grendel represent aspects of both good and evil, Christianity and Paganism, and what occurs when they collide with one another. A characteristic of an epic poem is the concern over struggles that humans face, which is presented i n a serious manner. The hero often embodies the religious, national, andRead MoreCritique Analysis Of Beowulf753 Words   |  4 PagesCritique Paper – Beowulf In the epic Beowulf, the main character Beowulf possesses all the qualities of a hero during the Anglo Saxon Era. He demonstrates his courage, loyalty, wisdom, and strength but are these qualities enough to consider him a hero by the standards of today? Beowulf has qualities that strong heroes have but didnt struggle to get them because he was born with it. He has many adventures, like fighting Grendel and other monstrous creatures but was very sure of himself. He was