Epic battles, terrifying monsters, extraordinary strength and great leadership; these characteristics and encounters are what make up the epic hero that is Beowulf. The heroism exemplified by Beowulf is defined by many different qualities. Beowulf is truly a hero because he is willing to take great risks for the greater good. Beowulf's defeats of Grendel and Grendel's mother make him a hero because he did it to save his people, rather than for his own glory. Beowulf is brought from his homeland to Heorot as an aegis for Hrothgar's people. This illustrates the point that he was willing to put himself at risk because he fought the monster with his bare hands and only put himself in danger for the sake of saving others. "I hereby renounce the sword and the shelter of the broad shield, of the lifting war table: it will be hand to hand, a fight to the death with the demon, whatever death falls must be considered a just judgment from God. ( Heaney lines 436-441) He had overshadowed Heorot for twelve years and had killed many with his mighty strength. He also knows that by entering into melee with the evil monster Grendel, he is endangering his own life. however, that if he dies during the battle it will have been for a just cause because he was saving his people not only fights Grendel but also Grendel's mother returns to Heorot to take revenge on the people who killed her son. Beowulf bravely runs to the rescue when his people are in need. This is another instance where Beowulf knows that he is putting himself in danger for the sake of others." ... I ask you to remember what we said before: that you , son of Halfdane and golden friend of the servants, .... .. middle of sheet ...... Works cited Heaney, Seamus, trans. "The Norton Anthology of English Literature: W. W. Norton and Company, 2001. 23-94. Leyerle, John Demands for Heroic Strength and Kingly Wisdom." Readings on Beowulf. San Diego: David L. Bender, 1998. 56-62. Niles, John D. "The Fatal Contradiction In Beowulf." Readings on Beowulf. San Diego: David L. Bender, 1998. 89-97. Oglivy, J.D.A., and Donald C. Baker. "Heroic Beowulf Readings on Beowulf: David L. Bender, 1998. 69-73. Sigona, James, and Gina Feldman. BEOWULF: The Last Moments. September 11, 2005. Swanton, Michael "The Heroic Standards of Beowulf's World on Beowulf: David L. Bender"., 1998. 74-81.