Ms.Craig
Eng.12

12/11/2017                                       “ Dedication, Leadership and Sacrifice Births Heros’“

               “ A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown” -Tom Hanks. In the epic poem Beowulf, the main character Beowulf is a Geatish hero  on his way to Denmark to fight three monsters Grendel, Grendel’s mother and many years later a dragon. For these reasons Beowulf is a hero because he shows dedication,leadership and sacrifice  as he walks into the unknown.

      First and foremost, Beowulf  shows dedication in the epic poem Beowulf, which is a great attribute when being a hero. If Beowulf  didn't have dedication he would not have been able to defeat Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon.”There’ll be nothing to mourn over no corps to prepare for its grave; Grendel will carry our bloody flesh to the moors, crunch on our bones and smear torn scraps of our skin on the walls of his den ,No I expect no Danes”(275-279).  Because of Beowulf's dedication he’s able to kill Grendel with his bare hands.

Secondly, Beowulf shows leadership throughout this  epic poem because he steps up to fight Grendel’s mother, and the Geats are entreating Beowulf to fight what they believe will be the last of the monsters. If Beowulf is not looked at as a leader then the Geats would never ask him to spare his life.” You’ve not seen. Seek it, if you dare; Save us,once more and again twisted gold, Heaped ancient treasure, will reward you for battle you win!” (445-448). As can be seen, Beowulf is a leader because he’s able to voluntarily take a peek into the unknown.

Lastly, Beowulf shows sacrifice. Beowulf shows sacrifice when defending the King by killing Grendel’s mother. Although it looks like being a hero is an easy task to acquire. However, if everyone could be a hero then there wouldn't be anyone to protect. Infact Beowulf shows sacrifice by walking into the unknown not knowing if he’d survive or not . “ Hrothgar ,o knowing king, now when my danger is near.the worm words we utteres And if your enemy should end my life Then be, o generous prince, forever The father and protector of all whom I leave.”(450-454)

            All in all,  Beowulf is a hero due to the fact that he voluntarily walks into the unknown to protect his people. To be a hero  you have to have dedication, leadership and be willing to sacrifice whatever for whoever looks to you as their hero.Beowulf shows that he is willing to give his people his  dedication, leadership and sacrifice. In this epic poem, Beowulf show that his heroism gives hope to all. By Beowulf Killing Grendel, Grendel's mother and slaying the dragon this shows that he is a hero. Because of his heroic ways he is crowned king, with that alone I say that Beowulf is a hero.