Is Beowulf an Epic Hero?

The actions of the hero of a classical epic poem often reflect the values of the society that has created him. Combing through classical literature, it is not too hard to extract a somewhat standard list of actions and attributes expected of a hero. Indeed Beowulf’s almost super-human strength and courage, as well as his unconditional loyalty to his leader can be seen as key ideals in the medieval Anglo-Saxon value system. Even his boastfulness, though seen as symptoms of juvenile overconfidence in today’s society, are traits that we might expect from an eloquent and self-reliant hero of a classical text about to embark on an epic quest. It is not as easy to label heroes and villains today, it seems that our contemporary world cannot be as easily expressed through a good-bad binary. Beowulf portrays the valor, faithfulness, honour, and even vanity of an epic hero of his time, although his status as such would perhaps be questionable if examined according to our society’s values.

One of the most important traits of the epic hero is bravery, which Beowulf possesses in abundance. Arguably all of Beowulf's acts of heroism, namely the slaying of Grendel and his mother, and the slaying of the dragon were undertaken by choice, with full knowledge of the danger he would have to face. For example, he was not obligated to fight Grendel once he saw “the monster’s/ thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws” (line 56-57). He went to battle with the dragon, knowing “[he][f]ought with fate against him, with glory/ [d]enied him./ [h]e knew it” (line 724-725). Showing extreme courage or loyalty to a leader is a trait that qualifies Beowulf as an epic hero.

Beowulf’s courage and selflessness stem from his loyalty, he is willing to lose his life for Hrothgar. He urgently helps Hrothgar each time he is needed, defeating Grendel, his mother, and the fire dragon. Beowulf does not covet the Danish throne; he wants to help Hrothgar and do what is right. He is unconditionally faithful to his king, Higlac, and his host, Hrothgar:

Hail Hrothgar! /Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days/…Now Grendel’s /[n]ame has echoed in our land…/[m]y people have said…/that my duty was to go to the Danes’/[g]reat king…/…[g]rant me, then,/[l]ord and protector of the noble place. (line 163-183)

In addition to being faithful to his king, Beowulf is generous to his staunch men, such as Wiglaf, and to his Geatish citizens near the end of his life: “…Take/ [w]hat I leave, Wiglaf, lead my people, / [h]elp them; my time is gone” (line 807-809). Lasting loyalty to his community, as well as his leader, is a characteristic required of an epic hero.

However, while the heroic quality of his actions is undeniable, Beowulf’s extreme vanity raises questions about his true motivations for modern readers. Did he do the courageous acts from the goodness of his heart, or was it all done to gain fame and praise? It seems that his heroic actions always take place in front of a crowd after he gives a loud catalogue of his conquests. For example, to clear up Unferth's misunderstanding of a swimming match between Beowulf and Breca, Beowulf boasts about his triumph:

Lucky or not, nine was the number/[o]f sea monsters [he] killed. What man, / [a]nywhere under Heaven’s high arch, has fought/ [i]n such darkness, endured more misery, or been harder pressed? / [y]et [he] survived the sea, smashed [t]he monsters’ hot jaws, swam home from [his] journey. (line 294-299)

This elucidates how vocal he is about his achievements. This aspect of his character, though expected of a classical hero, would perhaps damage a celebrated status today.

Beowulf’s behavior demonstrates the qualities of an Anglo-Saxon epic hero; he is brave, strong, loyal, generous, and sufficiently vocal about his achievement to be entertaining. Despite the positive results of his actions, I argue that the modern reader would be reluctant to recognize Beowulf as a hero because of his directness and vanity. In our society modesty, thoughtfulness, and mental complexity are valued more than physical strength and fearlessness. The modern reader seems to judge literary characters based on psychology rather than external actions, however noble. So perhaps our questioning of Beowulf’s heroic status shows that readers have become more sophisticated over the years. But one could wonder if the classical reader would not judge us as hopelessly impractical. After all, who cares about psychology if no muscular hero saves the population from certain death by demon attack?