How does Beowulf protect his people throughout the poem Beowulf?

Part of the reasonis an epic hero is that he performs heroic deeds not just for his own
reputation, but also for the good of his people. The poem illustrates Beowulf's concern for both
his own people -- the Geats -- and those of Hrothgar -- the Danes.

Early in
the poem, Beowulf travels to Hrothgar's kingdom to fight the beast Grendel, who has been
terrorizing the land for years. Beowulf volunteers for this task and presents himself as the
only person who could end thethat has befallen Denmark. In defeating Grendel, and putting his
own life in serious danger, Beowulf saves the Danes from the threat. He resolves what Hrothgar
calls their "constant distress" (line 937). Beowulf further protects the Danes when
Grendel's mother comes to avenge her son's death. She kills Hrothgar's best adviser, so Beowulf
goes down to her cave, alone, again putting himself in grave danger for the common good.
Hrothgar tells Beowulf, "help depends / again on you and you alone" (lines
1376-77)....