Beowulf: First Literary Superhero

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and courageous method of killing Grendel
demonstrates his bravery and physical strength. Before, Unferth had taunted
Beowulf about his foolish bravery but when he and all the rest of the Geats
saw that Beowulf's strength and power were worth boasting about, they were
humbled. To prove Beowulf was powerful, he hung Grendel's arm, claw, and
shoulders from the rafters of the meeting hall.�No Dane doubted The victory,
for the proof, hanging high From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was
the monster's Arm, claw and shoulder and all.�(line 485-488)
Had Beowulf attacked Grendel with a sword, the events would not
have turned out the same. Many men before Beowulf had attacked Grendel with
a sword and all with no effect to Grendel. If Beowulf had used a sword
instead of his bare hands to kill Grendel, not only would Grendel have
survived but the brawl would not have such a significance in the history of
the Geats. Beowulf would not seem as brave, and even if Beowulf had died,
the ...

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