Within the first piece of written literature known to man comes a character that exemplifies the characteristics of a hero. A hero possesses certain qualities which include the desire to help others, bravery, courtesy, courage, superhuman feats, and the ability to boast about his accomplishments. According to English tradition, this hero's name is Beowulf. Within the epic poem "Beowulf" there is clear evidence that Beowulf exemplifies the qualities of a hero which are the desire to help others, bravery, courtesy, courage, superhuman feats, and the ability to boast about his accomplishments.
             Beowulf possesses the qualities of the desire to help others, courtesy, and the ability to boast about his accomplishments which prove he is a hero. First of all, Beowulf lives in the land of the Geats. He hears from others that Hrothgar, the leader of the Danes, is having problems with a monster killing off his men for the past twelve years. Beowulf goes to the king of the Geats, Higlac, and asks him to let him take some of the best men and go over to the land of the Danes to help fight this monster. This proves that Beowulf possesses the desire to help others. Furthermore, when Beowulf arrives in the land of the Danes he shows his courtesy by praising Hrothgar for his noble birth and telling how brave Hrothgar is for his victories in battle. Beowulf further shows his courtesy when he leaves all his weapons on the shore of the land of the Danes to make sure the Danes know that he comes in peace. Beowulf does leave some of his men by his ships to protect them. Beowulf does everything that Hrothgar's men ask to show his courtesy. This proves Beowulf is a hero as he possesses the quality of courtesy. Lastly, Bewulf shows how he has the quality of a hero in his boasting to Hrothgar. When Beowulf first meets Hrothgar he tells him how his youth has been filled with glory and that his people told him he must go and help Hrothgar as he is a...