An epic is a long narrative poem that celebrates the exploits of a hero. An epic hero is best described as brave, strong, humane, and not invincible and undertakes quests to defeat evil. Beowulf, from the Anglo-Saxon epic, is an epic hero. Beowulf is a classic example of an epic hero because he has all these traits. Beowulf is an example of an epic hero because he is brave. Beowulf is described as brave because he agreed to fight Grendel without weapons or shields. Beowulf tells the king "...the monster's contempt for men/...nor will I" (168-169). Only a brave hero would face a deadly monster without any help like a weapon. Furthermore, Beowulf is even when he is old. Beowulf decides to kill the dragon that threatens his people. He announces “…I am old now/But I will fight again, I will still seek fame,/If the dragon hidden in his tower dares to face me” (609-611). Although epic heroes are brave, Beowulf is stronger than ordinary people. Beowulf expresses strength when he grasps Grendel's arm. Grendel “…writhed in pain/And the bleeding tendons deep in his shoulder/Crashed, the muscles and bones snapped/And broke” (337-340). Additionally, Beowulf holds up a sword made by giants. Beowulf “…saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy/Sword, hammered by giants, strong/And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons/But so massive that no common man could lift it/Its carved length and decorated” (513-517). Beowulf drew the sword "...from the scabbard, broke the chain on the hilt" (518) with his extraordinary strength, and killed Grendel's mother. All epic heroes undertake quests to defeat evil, and Beowulf undertakes many quests to defeat evil. First mission; Beowulf crosses the sea to the land of the Danes to kill Grendel. Beowulf “…would sail across the sea to Hrothgar,/Now when help was needed” (115-116). Second search; Beowulf goes underwater to fight Grendel's mother. Beowulf “…jumped into the lake…/…for hours he sank beneath the waves;/At last he saw the bottom/And suddenly he saw the greedy wolf” (450-453) Grendel's mother . Latest search; Beowulf is old and travels to kill the dragon that threatens his people. Beowulf “He walked calmly, confidently, towards the tower, under/The rocky cliffs; no coward could have walked there” (635-636). Even though Beowulf is strong, brave, and accepts quests, Beowulf is first and foremost human and not invincible. In a battle, Grendel's mother has a trap for Beowulf and for a second Beowulf can't get out.