Does the hero decline in Beowulf?Beowulf, a thrilling English poem about man and monster, recounts the rise and fall of a superhuman hero named Beowulf. This is the interpretation of certain readers that he clearly declines throughout the poem. This essay will explore this point of view. In Beowulf, the main character, a great warrior named Beowulf, possesses extraordinary qualities: “He was the strongest man alive at that time, powerful and noble. » Seeing Beowulf approaching, the Danes' sea guards declare: "I have never seen a greater man on earth..." King Hrothgar of the Danes says of Beowulf: "The sailors who brought gifts to the Geats say that he has the strength of 30 men in his hand. Beowulf chooses to fight Grendel alone and without shield or weapon; previously, the hero killed nine sea monsters with his sword. And he is completely ready to sacrifice his life for this: “...I alone will fulfill the wish of your people...or die at the hands of the enemy. » Beowulf consciously chooses to act in a superhuman manner: "I will perform the feats of a hero or I will have spent my last day in this mead. » Even Grendel recognizes the hero's superior strength: "The criminal knew that he had not encountered one in this Middle-earth with such sway. Other warriors, thinking of Beowulf, would "quickly compose a clever story with words." Hrothgar calls Beowulf "the best of warriors." The Danish Queen Wealhtheow compliments after Grendel's defeat: "You have forever deserved the praise of men here and abroad. » Hrothgar speaks of good warriors: “He is the best born man – my friend Beowulf… the best of warriors. » When the dragon burns the Geats' mead hall and Beowulf prepares to retaliate, he "scorned an army, an...... middle of paper...... at that moment he sorely lacking in a solid faith in God.” , which was the cause of his previous successes, in addition to his extraordinary strength. Weakened by this lack and by a miserly attitude, he fails not only against the dragon but also morally.BIBLIOGRAPHYChickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A bilingual edition. New York: Anchor Books, 1977. Fry, Donald K. “Introduction.” In TheBeowulf Poet, edited by Donald K. Fry. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1968. Goldsmith, Margaret E. “The Corruption of Beowulf.” In Readings on Beowulf, edited by Stephen P. Thompson. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. Shippey, T.A. “The world of the poem”. In Beowulf – Modern Critical Interpretations, edited by Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987. Thompson, Stephen P, editor. Readings on Beowulf. San Diego: Greenhaven Press,1998.