Beowulf Is Not A Hero Essay

What Really Makes A Leader?

Beowulf is an epic that represents a clear divide between good and evil. As the story twists and turns into different but connected conflicts, Beowulf is seen as a prominent hero figure. Beowulf is called on to fight three different monsters that threaten the civility of everyday life. What defines a leader? Must that person be big and strong? If so does mental strength and physical strength equal the same? How does Hrothgar a king not even able to defend his own men, compare to Beowulf.

Beowulf, his story so great and prominent that it seems to proceed him. He defeats the first two monsters with little resistance. When Beowulf comes up against the last opponent, a huge dragon. He is left to fight, almost alone when his men run away in fear. He comes to his ultimate demise in the final slay of the dragon. His final wishes are carried out by the last solider who stood by his side. Beowulf is seen as an amazing leader who was born of normal birth and went on to lead an above normal existence. He has demonstrated his strength and humility in most of the acts that he commits. Beowulf is this huge strong character in the epic who is the leader of a great army. He travels with his army to the kingdom of Herot when he is called to help. This demonstrates a willingness to help others in need. The first creature he must battle with is Grendel While every other man is drunk and in deep sleep Beowulf is not. He is prepared and ready to fight the creature who threatens his new friends army. Ultimately Beowulf defeats Grendel and his name is praised forever in the land of Hrothgar and his people. This fight is clearly not over for Beowulf and his men. The next night an even worse creature emerges and kills a very esteemed member of Hrothgars society. Beowulf is disturbed from rest to come help Hrothgar again. Beowulf is lead to the lake and jumps in. He of course defeats Grendels mother and the world is safe again. Beowulf has shown his true traits time and time again. Every time he is needed to complete a job he goes ahead and does it with no fear in his heart. He shows his men what a good leader must do in order to survive. He is strong, physically yes and also mentally. Beowulf shows amazing leadership skills and uses them in everyday life. He helps others in time of need and he fights until he is the ultimate victor. Beowulf is a true hero to his men and they look up to him because of that.

Hrothgar is the leader of the Danes. In this epic tale of Beowulf.. He is a lot older that Beowulf . He has fought many battles and has the objects and stories to show for them. What Hrothgar lacks as a leader is the ability to teach his men about how to do it. He leads this huge army that every night feasts and drinks itself into oblivion and therefore can not protect itself against an evil sea creature. Granted the evil sea creature is huge, strong, powerful and all that jazz but Beowulf took him on. Granted Beowulf has the strength of many mighty men and keen fighting skills. It doesnt seem right that a whole army taught by a true leader how to fight shouldnt have been able to take him on. Then that same whole army should have been mad enough to avenge the death of not only their kings best man but to fight the shame that a second monster came in and killed right under their nose. Hrothgar just led both these whole armies to the lake and watched as Beowulf did all the dirty work. Hrothgar might have been a good solider in his day but as a leader he failed to transfer that sense of pride and honor in his men. Beowulf did fight on his own the entire epic but at least he inspired one of his men in the end to stay behind and fight through the fear. This is a quality that defines one leader to the next, the ability to inspire others to take action. Beowulf exerted this to his men even if it was only one. Hrothgar couldnt seem to do the same.