Beowulf’s name tells us in three ways he is far from human. He is beo or “bear”; he is also wulf or “wolf”. Also his name doesn't begin like his father's name “Edgetho” which is a break in tradition. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of a perfect hero. The poem explores two aspects of his life, when he was young and when he comes back 50 yrs later when he is old. He faces three separate conflicts: with Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon. In his youth Beowulf is a great hero: he has many good characteristics like strength and courage, including his abilities not many humans have like breathing underwater for days. No mere human would be able to stand that