An epic is a long narrative poem on a serious subject. It usually is about the
adventurers of a hero. The hero is usually a figure of high social status and one who is
often of great historical or legendary importance. In the epic poem "Beowulf",
Beowulf is the hero. He shows that he is a great man by always putting other things before
his own needs. He is important and needed by his people and is known by many as a
courageous and helpful person. Beowulf is a good example of a courageous and strong hero.
He shows all of the qualities and traits that a true hero possesses.
Beowulf is a very brave and courageous person. His actions toward the monster Grendel
that was terrorizing the Danes show that he is willing to help others. In an epic it is
usually found that the hero often determines the fate of a nation or group of people.
Beowulf has definitely helped the Danes and his own people the Geats in their triumph over
evil by killing Grendel his mom and the dragon. He has helped mankind a great deal and
because of that he is made king of the Geats. Beowulf's brave deeds and accomplishments
have contributed to the Danes and the Geats survival.
Another characteristic of and epic poem is that the hero performs outrageous and
sometimes superhuman deeds. Beowulf is a prime example of this type of hero. He volunteers
himself to fight Grendel and when Grendel's mom seeks revenge he goes to the lake and
takes on the challenge. He shows the great qualities of strength and power when, after
fifty years, he takes on the dragon who has become a threat to the Geats. He always
battles his enemies with pride. When Beowulf and wiglaf fight the dragon and everyone else
becomes cowardly and runs off to the forest and hides. Through this it is shown that they
possess courageous traits and are genuinely ready and willing to help.
Often in an epic poem, the plot is complicated by supernatural beings and events. Good
examples of this are when Beowulf fights Grendel. Grendel is a monster and there is no
such thing as a monster. The same goes for the dragon. Throughout history there has never
been a dragon that gets mad that a thief has taken part of his treasure. Also when Beowulf
is dying he asks Wiglof to show him the treasures before he dies. Everyone knows that you
can not hold off your death just so you can see treasure. These examples show the
complications that are found throughout the plot of an epic poem. An epic poem usually
presents the situations of good and evil and life and death. The epic poem
"Beowulf" possesses both of these things. The good is shown through the actions
of Beowulf and Wiglaf when they defeat the evil, who are shown by Grendel, his mom, and
the dragon. Good and evil always leads to life and death. The good live and the evil die
most of the time. In "Beowulf" the good defeated the evil. Beowulf was known by
the Geats and the Danes as a very generous, kind, and strong person, who would give
anything for the Survival of the people. These characteristics are what help to classify
Beowulf as a true epic hero.
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