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Beowulf is a Geatish hero who is the nephew of Higlac. In several occasions during the epic, he battles against Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a fire breathing dragon. Beowulf shows the traits of a perfect hero that you do not see everyday. In his youth, Beowulf is a great warrior, characterized by strength, courage loyalty, courtesy, and pride. After fifty years, he later becomes king of the Geats. In his old age, he proves a wise and courageous king. He sacrifices himself at the end because he courageously battled against the dragon in order to protect his people. Therefore, Beowulf is seen as the greatest heroic warrior that ever lived.
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Grendel is a man eating monster that lives at the bottom of a lake. He is a demon that was punished by God, and he is a descendant from Cain, who was punished by God because he killed Abel. He is portrayed as a demon who preys on Hrothgar’s warriors at night . He was awakened one night by the Danes because of all the noise they made during their celebration in the king's mead hall called Herot. Then he basically just came every night because he felt like it, and he continued to terrorize the Danes. He is the first monster that Beowulf battles and defeats.
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Hrothgar is the king of the Danes. A wise and aged ruler, Hrothgar represents a different kind of leadership from that then carried by the youthful warrior Beowulf. Hrothgar sits on a throne that is protected by God, therefore no sort of evil can come near him. He is a model of the kind of king that Beowulf later becomes.
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Grendel's mother is a water witch who seeks revenge because Beowulf killed her son, Grendel. During her battle with Beowulf, her head is chopped off by a sword made by the giants. Her head is then given to Hrothgar as a trophy. She is the second monster that Beowulf battles and defeats.
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The dragon is a fire breathing serpent, whom Beowulf fights in the final part of the epic. He guards a bunch of treasure in a hidden mound. When something is taken from his treasure, he comes for revenge and starts burning down things and places.
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Wiglaf, one of Beowulf’s select band, was the only warrior brave enough to help Beowulf in his fight against the dragon. Wiglaf shows that he is willing to die attempting to defeat the dragon and, more importantly, to save his king. In this being said, Wiglaf appears as a reflection of the young Beowulf in the first part of the story, a warrior who is strong, fearless, and loyal.