Anglo-Saxon Hero

Anglo-Saxon Hero
According to the literature of the Anglo-Saxon, a hero was usually a warrior. The hero was supposed to be strong, fearless and intelligent to protect the vulnerable members of the society during any warfare. Beowulf is the epitome of an Anglo-Saxon hero. He displays strength, courage, and fearlessness from time to time whether fighting sea monsters, Grendel or dragons.
An Anglo-Saxon hero must possess a lot of strength. A hero must be both robust and courageous; Beowulf displays these qualities through his quest. The author claims that Beowulf possessed the power of thirty men. He had the ability to lift a massive sword that was made by giants, and no human being had the energy to lift it. He used this sword to kill Grendel’s mother.
An Anglo-Saxon hero is supposed to be fearless and courageous. Despite knowing how evil Grendel murders people and how strong he was, Beowulf led his men to the land of Danes to offer help. He tells Hrothgar that, “They had seen his strength for themselves. He had driven five giants into chains, chased all of that race from this earth.” (Clark, 38) His determination to fight the monster from whom many warriors have feared in the past brings out his courage and fearlessness.
He is not scared of any creature and his determination to prove that he is a hero is huge. He also fearlessly pursues Grandel’s mother into underwater where he decides to kill her. He does this alone without any help; it is a difficult task, but with determination and relentless efforts he succeeds.

His followers are pleased with his success, and they praise him with songs. He is not afraid of death, and he leads his men in fighting the dragon. He is ready to die in the hands of the dragon or kill the dragon. He knows the result can go either way, victory or failure, but it is a risk he is willing to take fearlessly.
As an Anglo-Saxon hero, despite being strong and courageous, they should be humble and kind. After winning the war for the Danes, he does not take gifts from them. He and his men humbly leave for Geats after offering their help. When the dragon harms Beowulf and realizes his death is near, he asks Wiglaf, “to go, quickly and find the dragon’s treasure because they have taken its life,” (Clark, 57) He also asks Wiglaf to take what he had left behind and lead his people. Further, he gives Wiglaf his golden necklace. This was a kind gesture that implies how heroes should be generous and kind to their predecessors. The fact that he is able to reign for fifty years and people enjoyed peace during his reign indicates that he was just and kind. He receives a lot of respect for his braveness.
In conclusion, an Anglo-Saxon hero possessed particular qualities that ordinary men didn’t possess. They had superhuman powers; they were fearless and courageous, and they had the ability to command their followers. Their humanity and empathy complemented their superhuman strength. Beowulf befits to be named a hero as he possessed all these skills. A hero must maintain strength and character, without either, one is not a hero. Beowulf possessed both strength and character. These are among the values that brought him fame and respect. The society has its ways of determining who a hero is based on these traits.
Work cited
Clark, George. Beowulf. Boston: Twayne,
1990. Print.