The oral epic poem Beowulf illustrates a loss of community, cultural values, and tradition. Beowulf, the main character, is an ideal king and an archetypal warrior. The story is relevant to Beowulf; this Germanic society was being taken over by Christian missionaries seeking to convert this culture. The character of Beowulf is a reflection of the virtues of Germanic culture; heroism is emphasized in the text's multiple references and constant focus on heroes and what it means to be a hero. Beowulf, reflecting an older generation of heroes, stands for community. In contrast, Christianity's focus is on the individual. This conflict ends when Beowulf, a figure from the past and the old world, dies. With Beowulf, the hero dies. Therefore, Beowulf's efforts to keep his culture and ethics alive are impossible as war and Christianity conquer the Germanic land. Beowulf, physically and emotionally, is representative of the ideal Germanic hero. Beowulf is ?brave? (688), honest and strong. One of the poem's first scenes describes Beowulf's arrival on the shore of a foreign land. Instead of fearing the great warrior who has arrived and asking for help, the ?guardian? (229) is in awe of Beowulf. Even before he meets Beowulf, the guardian thinks that this warrior is one of the strongest and noblest men he has ever seen: "I have never seen/on this earth/a more powerful man-at-arms/than the one who stands here: a unless I am wrong,/is he truly noble? (247-250). Therefore, Beowulf's height and imposing stature convince others that he is a hero. Like the typical hero, Beowulf boasts Hrothgar, Beowulf defends himself from the murderer of relatives Unferth; Beowulf boasts that he will kill Gren...... middle of paper...... on it ends with a war and the disappearance of its heroes. This end of heroism and orality is suggested by the last singer of the text; during Beowulf's funeral, a woman cries instead of singing, implying that she will never be there; plus a happy song about heroes: "Did even a Geat woman sing in sorrow?" (3150). The epic poem Beowulf is all about the hero. From the character of Beowulf, the reader can see the importance of community, orality, and heroism. Beowulf, consequently, is an icon of his ancient Germanic heritage. It is mimetic of the world around it. Furthermore, it reflects the tradition of heroes of the past; follows in the footsteps of Shield and Sigemund, mirroring their characteristics and actions. Therefore, when Beowulf dies, both the old world and the new world collapse.