Beowulf was the first literary super hero. Like the common day superman, Beowulf has ordinary human characteristics, as well as superhuman powers. Like the Anglo-Saxons of Beowulf's time, he is boastful, manly, and willing to outdo his fellow neighbor. The only difference between him and the rest of the Anglo-Saxons is that he possesses extreme amounts of physical power.         Grendel, the antagonist of the story, was feared by all men. He ate humans and attacked …showed first 75 words of 444 total…

…showed last 75 words of 444 total…would not have been as legendary. There would be no arm, shoulder, or claw to symbolize Grendel's death or stunned crowds to admire Beowulf's courage.         Beowulf's quest to conquer Grendel was successful, not only did he prove to everyone that he was a "true man" but he conquered one of the most feared creatures of the time. Beowulf's life after Grendel's death was blessed and his courageous acts from then and afterwards reached legendary heights.