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Epic Hero: Beowulf

What makes a character from any form of literature an epic hero? The world of literature says it is high status of the character, the brave deed they commit, any long journeys they make, the formal speeches they give and saving a nation or people. Now who are these heroes? Achilles, Odysseus, Hercules, and King Arthur are among the list of epic heroes in literature. But one of the greatest epic hero is Beowulf. Beowulf is the protangonist of the ancient poem Beowulf. The story starts with the monster Grendel attacking the Danes. Beowulf, a Geat, enters the story to slay Grendel and later Grendel's vengeful mother. The poem end with the tragic death of Beowulf after he slay a dragon. Beowulf is an epic hero because he possesses all the characteristics of one, however the most evident of these characteristics are his amazing speeches, the gallant deeds he does, and willingness and ability to save nations and the people of those nations.
Beowulf's uncanny ability to make such atonishing speaches enable him to be called an epic hero. His speeches are capable of enticing others to agree with him. Beowulf travels to the country of the Danes in hope that the Danish king, Hrothgar, will allow him (Beowulf) to aid in the killing of Grendel. As soon as he is recieved by the king Beowulf begins, " 'Hail, Hrothgar! Higlac is... death was my... death's cold grip,' " (Raffel 79-113). Hrothgar agrees to house Beowulf and his fourteen men in the mead hall in hopes that Beowulf is able to kill the monster that has plagued them for over a decade. Another skill of Beowulf's speeches is glorify himself. As Beowulf set out to fight the dragon, he makes another speech, " ' I'd use no sword... stand till fate... to a bitter death,' " (Raffel 272-291). Here Beowulf states he shall fight the beast with out any weapon except himself and that he is willing to continue till the creature is dead or he dies. It is easy to see how this would impress others. Again Beowulf exalts himself...