What Characteristics Of An Epic Hero Does The Excerpt Reveal?

The epitome of the classic hero story is the epic hero. In literature, the epic hero is a brave and noble character that often goes on an adventure and is revered for their great achievements. An epic hero has many unique characteristics that make them stand out from other characters. This article will explore some of the characteristics of the epic hero as revealed in the excerpt from Beowulf.

Courage

One of the most prominent characteristics of the epic hero is courage. Beowulf, the epic hero is known for his courage. In the excerpt, Beowulf displays his courage by his willingness to battle Grendel and Grendel’s mother. Despite the dangers that come with the battles, Beowulf takes it upon himself to fight for the good of his people.

Strength

Another characteristic of the epic hero is strength. Beowulf displays his strength in the excerpt when he talks about how he does not need any weapons to fight the monster. His strength is mentioned when he talks of how he “can gain glory” with his “bare hands” and “defeat them both.” This is a strong indicator that Beowulf is an epic hero.

Selflessness

The final characteristic of an epic hero revealed in the excerpt is selflessness. Beowulf makes it clear that he is going into battle for the good of his people and not for any personal gain. He shows this when he talks of how he “comes here/ To protect the Geats, to give them new hope./ To bravely face this monster” and he is “fully prepared/ To risk [his] life and limb for [his] people.”

In conclusion, the excerpt from Beowulf reveals three major characteristics of an epic hero: courage, strength, and selflessness. Beowulf displays these characteristics when he is willing to risk his life to battle the monsters and protect his people with no thought of personal gain. All these characteristics make him the quintessential epic hero for generations to come.