Beowulf: First Literary Superhero
Beowulf was the first literary super hero. Like the common day superman,
Beowulf has ordinary human characteristics, as well as superhuman powers. Like
the Anglo-Saxons of Beowulf's time, he is boastful, manly, and willing to outdo
his fellow neighbor. The only difference between him and the rest of the Anglo-
Saxons is that he possesses extreme amounts of physical power.
Grendel, the antagonist of the story, was feared by all men. He ate
humans and attacked them in their sleep. Many men had attempted to kill Grendel,
but until Beowulf, no man had ever succeeded. �...so Grendel ruled, fought with
the righteous, One against many and won...�(line 81,82).
Despite the probability of ...
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and courageous method of killing Grendel demonstrates
his bravery and physical strength. Before, Unferth had taunted Beowulf about his
foolish bravery but when he and all the rest of the Geats saw that Beowulf's
strength and power were worth boasting about, they were humbled. To prove
Beowulf was powerful, he hung Grendel's arm, claw, and shoulders from the
rafters of the meeting hall.�No Dane doubted The victory, for the proof, hanging
high From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monster's Arm, claw and
shoulder and all.�(line 485-488)
Had Beowulf attacked Grendel with a sword, the events would not have
turned out the same. Many men before Beowulf had attacked Grendel with a sword
and all with no effect to Grendel. If Beowulf had used a sword instead of his
bare hands to kill Grendel, not only would Grendel have survived but the brawl
would not have such a significance in the history of the Geats. Beowulf would
not seem as brave, and even if Beowulf had died, the ...
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Beowulf: First Literary Superhero. (2005, September 12). Retrieved May 20, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Beowulf-First-Literary-Superhero/33174
"Beowulf: First Literary Superhero." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 12 Sep. 2005. Web. 20 May. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Beowulf-First-Literary-Superhero/33174>
"Beowulf: First Literary Superhero." Essayworld.com. September 12, 2005. Accessed May 20, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Beowulf-First-Literary-Superhero/33174.
"Beowulf: First Literary Superhero." Essayworld.com. September 12, 2005. Accessed May 20, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Beowulf-First-Literary-Superhero/33174.
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