Beowulf Epic Hero

Characters Beowulf The hero for whom the untitled poem was later named, Beowulf is the perfect warrior -- brave, strong, and honorable. While he displays enough bravado to inspire hope in the Scyldings, he is still courteous. He uses both his wits and brute strength to defeat his foes. Beowulf's only flaw manifests in the latter part of the poem, when he decides to face the dragon alone instead of delegating the task to a younger man, and in so doing leaves his kingdom without an experienced ruler, vulnerable to its enemies.

Characters Hrothgar The king of the Scyldings is a wise and venerable leader weighed down with sorrow and loss. Placed in the unenviable position of requiring outside help to solve his deadliest problem, Hrothgar nevertheless stands proud as he decides to accept Beowulf's help. Before the hero returns home, Hrothgar has wisdom to share with him about kingship, for which he believes Beowulf is eminently suited.

Characters Grendel The first and most memorable foe that Beowulf must face, Grendel is a hideous creature that is clearly not human; and yet, he displays human emotions and motivations. The poem ties him to the biblical Cain and brands him an outsider, condemned to live beyond the human community in a horrible place. There is a suggestion that envy of the splendor Hrothgar's Scyldings enjoyed and bitterness at being excluded drove him to attack Heorot.

Characters Unferth Unferth is one of Hrothgar's Scyldings, and like all the other Scyldings, he has failed to defeat Grendel, and will not face the fiend. When Beowulf arrives and is the focus of his comrade's hopes, Unferth grows jealous, and, having indulged in too much drink, he taunts the hero. Unferth's resentment and inferiority serve to throw Beowulf's greatness into sharper relief. Yet he is the one character who exhibits any growth, humbled by Beowulf's defeat of Grendel and lending his prized sword to the hero when he fights Grendel's mother. However, he understands -- as does the reader -- that he will never be a true hero.

Characters Wealhtheow Hrothgar's wife and queen is Wealhtheow. Her appearance in Heorot lends a certain grave splendor to the festivities. It is Wealhtheow to whom Beowulf makes his pledge to kill Grendel or die in the attempt, and it is Wealhtheow's confirmation of Hrothgar's adoption of Beowulf that seems to legitimize the act. In a sense, Wealhtheow symbolizes all that is fine and good in women, especially women of rank and sensibility.

Characters Grendel's Mother A swamp-fiend like her son, Grendel's mother -- who is never named -- is just as fierce and dangerous as Grendel. Understandably enraged by the death of her offspring, the hag attacks swiftly and flees, killing Hrothgar's advisor Aeschere. But when Beowulf comes after her, she faces him willingly, dragging him into her lair and attacking him viciously. Just as much a monster as Grendel, the mother shares a very human desire for vengeance. She can be contrasted with Wealhtheow, symbolizing evil in womanhood.

Characters Hygelac Hygelac is the King of the Geats. He is fond of Beowulf, yet surprised that he has triumphed over such a deadly foe. By bestowing gifts and honors on the returning hero, Hygelac reveals how Beowulf's victories have earned him respect among the Geats. When Hygelac dies, Beowulf refuses to take the throne; only when Hygelac's son is killed does Beowulf take on the responsibility of ruling Geatland.

Characters The Dragon An ancient creature, the Dragon has made his home in an even more ancient barrow, where the treasure of a long-dead pagan chieftain was hidden. When its lair is accidentally discovered, and when only one item is taken from its hoard, the Dragon awakens to bring fiery devastation to Geatland. Beowulf's battle with the Dragon will be his last.

Characters Wiglaf A kinsman to Beowulf, Wiglaf is one of the warriors that the hero brings with him to seek out the Dragon, and the only one who joins Beowulf in his hour of need instead of fleeing. For his loyalty and courage, Wiglaf is made Beowulf's heir, signifying that the valued qualities of the warrior live on in the next generation of Scandinavian manhood. p/beowulf_characters.htm

The Epic A long, narrative poem Heroic figure whose actions determine the fate of the people Vast setting, visits other worlds Written by literary artists Often first in oral tradition Uses specific literary terms & formats Supernatural forces intervene/appear

The Epic Hero Has superhuman courage, especially in battle Usually the ideal man of his culture Imposing physical stature – greater than the common man His actions control the fate of his people

The Epic Hero cont. Admired for grand achievements Affected by grand events Sometimes of divine origins or help Wants to or becomes remembered or immortalized because of his deeds May go on an epic quest

Themes – Main Ideas #1 Good vs Evil Courageous warrior vs monsters Christians vs the Devil and Hell Man vs the evil within (wild nature) Man vs death

Themes – Main Ideas #2 Warriors and Courage Warriors go to extremes to use or display physical strength Skill is also desired Combine these with courage – true bravery and no fear of death Meet all challenges as his duty

Other Ideas Alienation and loneliness Wealth – king is ring-giver, rewards for great deeds Identity – making a name for yourself - reputation Supernatural – pagan and Christian Envy Revenge

Code of Comitatus Germanic Code of honor 5 th 6 th cent. Warriors (thanes) swore allegiance to the King or feudal lord Fight to the death or avenge his death They are rewarded with treasure, protection, and land Everyone/everything is interlaced – dependent upon one another

Lit Terms Kenning Caesura Alliteration Metonymy Speaker All the Hero Definitions