It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Beowulf!

The epic poem of Beowulf includes both pagan and Christian ideas and values. The author is unknown, but the writer probably was an eighth-century Anglo-Saxon monk. While Beowulf possesses a number of characteristics, three main traits stand out. He is courageous, strong, and loyal. First, Beowulf shows great courage throughout the poem. When Beowulf fights Grendel, he does it without weapons. Beowulf states “…my hands / Alone shall fight for me…”(267-8). Having no fear, Beowulf …

…life, thus displaying full devotion to them. At the moment when Beowulf battles the dragon it is inferred that he is so loyal enough to his people that he would fight to protect them even when the odds are against him. Beowulf is a very unique and complex character, yet the intrepid features of courage, strength, and loyalty can be most easily seen in him. Beowulf was the Anglo-Saxons’ hero as Superman is to us.