Beowulf is an Old English epic poem that centers on a hero named Beowulf who defeats monsters with inhuman strength given to him by God. Lines 371-455 talk about Beowulf who presents himself to Hrothgar to kill Grendel. These lines focus on the characteristics of the epic poem, show that Beowulf is an epic hero, and highlight the difference between Beowulf and Grendel and how God relates to them. There are six important characteristics in an epic: it must have a hero, involve a display of superhuman abilities, have a broad setting, include supernatural beings who guide or hinder the hero, have an elevated writing style, and be told by a omniscient narrator. Beowulf has all of these characteristics but only some are shown in this passage. The hero of the poem is a manSince Beowulf is the hero of the epic, the words used to describe him are positive and strong, for example, “wonderful tales” (379), “hero” (399) “fine wrought mail” “ shining” (400). In contrast, when talking about Grendel, he receives negative words such as “gruesome day” (442), “he gets his fill.” (443) “gorged and bloodied” (447) “gloating with my raw corpse… in a cruel frenzy” , fouling his moorland nest” (447-450). This difference in language is made to show that Beowulf and Grendel are opposites of each other and to emphasize that Beowulf is a valiant hero while Grendel is a malignant monster. Another difference in language is that Beowulf is depicted as God's champion, while Grendel is like a demon who opposes God's will. Beowulf shows his affiliation with God by using speeches such as “Dome of Heaven” (414) and “God's righteous judgment” (441). His connection with God is demonstrated by the fact that Hrothgar says he was sent by God to Heorot to defeat Grendel. Grendel is portrayed as a demonic presence because Beowulf must “purify” (431) Heorot from