Beowulf

We all know that Beowulf illustrates the perfect hero. The poem explores his heroism in two separate stages- as a young man and then as a king through three separate and increasingly difficult conflicts, with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. In his youth, Beowulf is a great warrior, characterized predominately by his feats of outstanding strength and courage, an example would be his “swimming” match against Breca. He also perfectly represents the manners …

…it proves simply irresolvable: Beowulf doesn't lead a particularly good life by Christian standards, but the poet cannot help but revere him. He ultimately lives for the preservation of earthly glory after death, not for entrance into heaven. Though his death in the encounter with the dragon clearly proves his mortality the poem itself stands as a testament to the raw greatness of his life, ensuring his ascension in the worldly heaven of warrior legend.