Beowulf - Traits of the Anglo-Saxon hero Within the tale of "Beowulf" you can find four character traits that define the Anglo-Saxon hero. The first is loyalty, as demonstrated by the relationship between Lord and Thane. According to page 23 of the introduction to "Beowulf", "a relationship based less on the subordination of one man's will to another than on mutual trust and respect." The second and third characteristics are strength and courage. The importance of these specific traits to the Anglo-Saxon people is clearly presented during the recitation of Sigemund's tale within Heorot. As the song states, "He was the most famous adventurer, far and wide across the nations, for acts of courage - he had already prospered from that, protector of warriors - after the Heremod War had come to an end, his strength and his courage" (38). The last piece that makes up the Anglo-Saxon hero is the concept of fame. The only thing a warrior could ever aspire to after life was immortality through fame once this is explained by the introduction to the story, "Beowulf's chief reward is pagan immortality, the memory in the minds of later generations of a hero's heroic deeds" (24-25). Understanding what defines a hero is simple understand why Beowulf is considered by some to be the greatest of all. He possesses unswerving loyalty to his king and his allies, and except for the final battle, his thanes show him the same devotion. His strength is unmatched, since he is capable of defeating each of his opponents and performing unparalleled feats of endurance. Beowulf's courage, though motivated primarily by his own idea of ​​destiny, is nevertheless unshakable. And as a hero he fulfilled his desire for immortality through poetry itself. Each of the four heroic traits can be identified in the three battles in which Beowulf participates: his battle with Grendel, his underwater fight with Grendel's mother, and his final fight with the dragon. Before going to fight Grendel, Beowulf gives a speech that may seem presumptuous to the modern reader, but is actually a simple device used to secure immortality through fame. Beowulf states: “I do not think myself poorer in terms of war strength and war work than Grendel claims to be. Therefore I will not slay him with the sword... and then a wise God, Holy Lord, give glory to whatever hand seems good to him” (35-36).