An epic is a long narrative poem that tells the story of a hero. The majority of epics date back to preliterate periods, for they were passed on by scops (oral poets) until finally written down. Epics usually tell about how brave and courageous the epic heroes truly are, and just how far epic heroes are willing to go to preserve their people and kingdom. In Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf undergoes several challenges that test his epic hero characteristics: honor, bravery, strength and courage. Throughout the poem, Beowulf demonstrates that he fits the definition of an epic hero.
             Like any other epic hero, Beowulf has superhuman strength. In his battle with the notorious monster Grendel, Beowulf uses his strength to crush Grendel's claws. When Grendel strikes Beowulf, he immediately realizes "that nowhere on earth had he met a man whose hands were harder" (274-275), and then is reassured of this when Beowulf "fastened his claws in his fist till they cracked" (283-284). Although Grendel is powerful and strong and he has been able to defeat all the warriors that have dared cross his path, he is no match for the strength of Beowulf. After Grendel and his mother are defeated by Beowulf, he once again shows his enormous strength by lifting the heavy head of Grendel. Grendel's head, "too heavy for fewer than four [men] to handle" (591), was carried from the hair by Beowulf and "brought... straight to where the Danes sat" (603). The enormous head of Grendel represents much more than the death of a monster. When Beowulf cuts it off and brings it to Hrothgar, it clearly demonstrates the triumph of evil, and the fact that Beowulf can so easily lift the head up puts him on a pedestal given that four men struggled to carry it. With his ability to crumble Grendel's claw and lift his weighty head, Beowulf clearly shows his superhuman strength.
             Beowulf, like all epic heroes, is loved by his people and others. Throughout the poem, Beowulf is ...