Webster's defines the term hero as a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life. This definition of the term hero might as well have the old English character Beowulf's picture next to it.
             Beowulf is a Geatish hero who fights monsters, kills dragons, and is said to be the strongest and smartest warrior around. He exemplifies all of the characteristics of the perfect hero; courage, strength, honor, discipline, and loyalty just to name a few. Beowulf shows these characteristics to be true in the story by constantly doing heroic things for himself and more importantly, others. While dining and relaxing at King Hrothgar of Denmark's mead-hall (a place to eat, drink, and share war stories), the extreme noise coming from the warriors awakens Grendel, and disturbs him greatly. Grendel, a monster who lives in the swamp, would terrorize the subjects and worse, kill them. All the warrior's efforts did nothing to stop Grendel for years. That is until Beowulf arrives. When Grendel comes to the mead-hall to terrorize some more, Beowulf confronts Grendel and fights back heroically. He ends up killing the ugly beast with out using much effort at all. He cuts off Grendel's arm and hangs it in the mead-hall as a trophy. The people of Denmark praise their great hero Beowulf and celebrate their good fortune with a feast in his honor.
             The conflict isn't over though. Outraged after hearing about the death of Grendel, Grendel's mother becomes enraged and comes to Herot for revenge. There Grendel's mother kills Aeschere. Aeschere was one of Beowulf's advisors. Beowulf is now understandably upset, and he takes his men to Grendel's swamp for revenge of his friend. Beowulf dives down into the water and eventually kills her with a giant sword. This fight was a bit more challenging for Beowulf,
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