Beowulf: The Concept of the Hero

Abstract

<p>This thesis deals with the Old English poem Beowulf. Through a detailed study of it and of other literature of a heroic and tragic nature, it explores the character, attributes, and achievements of a hero of this kind of fiction and draws some conclusions about the significance which may be found in the hero's nature and accomplishments. In the process, other literary works, not necessarily epic or Anglo-Saxon, are referred to, enabling the hero to be studied from a number of illuminating angles. Each of the first three chapters puts Beowulf in a particular context; the last two chapters combine the different threads of development and present a conclusion.</p>