“Heroism In Beowulf”

Basic instructions: compose a 4-page paper discussing the main character’s heroism or lack thereof in the poem Beowulf. Your topic statement and your paper in general should argue whether Beowulf was or was not a hero and three reasons why.

Define honor. What makes a hero in your opinion?

Include in your paper lines from the epic poem that show Beowulf’s heroism or lack thereof. Be sure to cite your sources. What actions did he take or state of mind did he have that show that he is or is not a hero? What characteristics did he have that made him a hero or not a hero?

Do you consider Beowulf to be brave? How does bravery relate to heroism? Is a hero always brave?

Allusion: what other characters or people do Beowulf’s actions reflect that illuminate how he is or is not a hero? How does he compare to others that are considered heroes?

Figurative language: How does the figurative language in the epic poem underscore his heroism or lack thereof?

Consider these questions about Beowulf when writing your major assignment.

Remember that when you are writing your essay, you should think of yourself like an attorney going to court and trying to convince the judge/jury to rule in favor of your point of view. Use solid evidence example such as the following:

Personal experience: tell a story about something that happened to you

Anecdotes: make up a short, amusing story or scene

Statistics/Numbers: give statistics from personal research or that of others (remember to cite)

Testimony/opinion of others: quote what a true expert says on the topic (remember to cite)

Textual evidence: use primary or secondary sources (remember to cite)

Analogical evidence: compare with a known situation (how does Beowulf relate to 9/11 responders?)

Hypothetical evidence: an educated guess about the future or what might happen

Evidence to support your claims is necessary. You may mix/match types of evidence to support your reasons for your argument. Evidence should be in each paragraph, supporting each of the three reasons in your topic statement.