How can we define a true hero in our lives? Our world is full of heroes, whether they are those who risk their lives for someone else or lend a hand. Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf reminds the reader constantly about Beowulf’s fearlessness and supernatural strength. Beowulf is also seen to display courage, loyalty and generosity. He is gracious, generous, chivalrous, and has a good reputation for his political skills. It is not difficult to see that Beowulf has many admirable qualities. Beowulf’s heroic traits are shown in three major fights where Beowulf battles two demons along with a giant dragon. Beowulf exemplifies Anglo Saxon culture. Beowulf accepts the challenge of a battle in the Danes kingdom after he is told that Heorot’s people are being terrorized. The poet describes Beowulf before the battle. “There was nobody else alive who could compare to him. Heaney, lines 196-298). The author is recognizing Beowulf’s strength. The watchman claims that he has never before seen a group of men land without taking any precautions. Never before had a force disembarked with such openness, not bothering to check if they were allowed safe passage by the sentries or if their clan consented. He is a truly noble man, and I have not seen one on earth who is more powerful. This coastguard claims that they’ve never seen men carry weapons and step on foreign land without permission or assurance of safety. The Coast guard claims they’ve never seen anyone with Beowulf’s strength.

Beowulf proves to Hrothgar that he is loyal to him by explaining the family connections he has with the king. “In the days of my father, Ecgtheow was a distinguished warrior-lord. He survived many long winters and continued on his journey. Around the globe, men of good counsel remember him. We are coming in good-faith to find Halfdane’s son, your lord. . . We have been sent on a mission to bring the lord Danes back, and so I don’t think there should anything be kept secret or hidden from each other” (Heaney line 262-272). Hrothgar owes Beowulf money for his generosity. Beowulf brags about his lineage and how he came to fight Grendel. He also says there shouldn’t be any secrets between Danes and Geats. Belatedly, Beowulf and the men of Hrothgar are allowed to enter Hrothgar. Hrothgar’s officer and herald state, “I have never seen such a large or impressive assembly of strangers.” Hrothgar was attracted by your bravery and not banishing. Wulfgar admits Beowulf’s bravery. Wulfgar’s description of Beowulf as stout can have two different meanings. The first describes a person’s build as being somewhat heavy or fat, and the second describes someone as courageous or determined. Both are applicable to Beowulf.

Beowulf doesn’t hate even if he disagrees with him. Beowulf defends Himself by Telling the Truth. Unferth taunts Beowulf because he lost a fight against Breca. Beowulf said, “Fate often spares those who have not been marked by it for their courage.” Whatever the circumstances, my sword killed nine sea monsters. No man has ever faced such night dangers or endured such hard ordeals. But I made it through, even though I was worn out” (Heaney line 572-579). Unferth was jealous and reacted violently to try to bring Beowulf down. Beowulf then responded by telling the story maturely, expressing his gratitude for life. Beowulf’s reputation was ruined after he boasted of himself. He could not win the battle against Grendel. Beowulf’s people valued courage and strength in battle. Instead, I’ll grab Grendel by the neck and wrestle him to death.

If I let this creature best me in battle…He will freely feast…’ (Heaney lines 386-93). If I allow this creature to defeat me in battle…He will feast …’. Beowulf challenges the creature and declares that he will not fear losing his own life. He does not fear to lose, and he puts his life completely in God’s hand, believing that God will have his back, no matter what the outcome. Beowulf was described in many ways, and his strength and size were acknowledged. However, the reader gets a clearer picture of Beowulf through the first battle he has with Grendel. Beowulf fights Grendel with no armor, showing courage and fairness. The Geat trusted his strength in limbs, and God’s favour. He removed his iron breast-mail and helmet, then handed the sword to his attendant, an artist’s work, telling him to guard the equipment (Heaney, lines 669-674). In the same way, he recognizes that God has control over his destiny, and is aware of this. Grendel preys upon Beowulf when he attacks Heorot. He soon realizes his mistake as Beowulf is not armed or wearing armor. Grendel is mortally wounded in a hand-to-hand fight. He tries running away when his arm has been severed. “The captain was caught in a grip that was more powerful than any he’d ever felt on earth. His entire body trembled and retreated, but he couldn’t escape. He was desperate for him to go back to the den and hide under the devils’ litter. For in his entire life, he never had been so tightly cuffed. The monster was retracing his steps, and the man had the upper hand” (Heaney line 749-760). It is said that Grendel had thirty men killed on his first attack against Heorot. It’s clear that Grendel has a lot of supernatural power, as he continues to raid Heorot for 12 years.

Beowulf overwhelms him and he tries to flee. This is repeated throughout his encounter. “The captain for evil was caught in a grasp that was stronger than any he ever had with anyone. . . Since he was a child, he never had been cornered and cuffed like that. . . “He was manacled tightly by the most powerful man in his lifetime”. . . “He couldn’t escape. . . He desperately wanted to run to his den to hide. . . The dread was so great that the people were desperate to leave. Beowulf’s aide was ineffective. Unbeknownst for them, Grendel has been cursed to render weapons useless. Beowulf’s fighters would defend the life of their lord by using their ancestral weapons to lay around him. . . “No blade on Earth, no blacksmith’s art could ever hurt their demon opponents” (Heaney lines 793-803). This proves Beowulf killed Grendel alone. The monster was in great pain. A huge wound appeared on the shoulder. The bones lappings split the sinews. Beowulf got the glory for winning, while Grendel went under the banks of the fen, dead and in his lair. (Heaney Lines 814-820) Beowulf is credited with bravery, loyalty, superhuman strength and risking his life to protect and serve a foreign kingdom.

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