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Comparisons to beowulf and modern heroes
What is the meaning of hero
Comparisons to beowulf and modern heroes
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Heroes are somebody, everybody, and in some cases nobody, but in all definitions there is a common theme. Courage is not a noun, is not an adjective, but is a verb. Unfortunately, today’s idea of a hero has slowly been changed from the courageous Beowulf to the intriguing James Bond. This idea will be displayed by providing what today’s definition of a hero is, explaining how the hero in Beowulf is different, and finally by explaining which definitions of a hero are most applicable in real life today.
The common definition of a hero today is that they have to have special powers or have some physical attribute that allows the hero to conquer his enemy's. To me a hero is not someone from comic books, or someone from a spy movie. In reality they are just people like you me. They stand up for what they believe; they speak up when someone does the wrong. They hey act not because they have "powers", but because they have and undeniable desire to do good, and the courage to act where others won't. In essence we all have these traits. Heroes have seven traits that make up who they are, these traits include; caring, open, understanding, reliable, action, goodness, and empathy. If all of these are put together, they spell out courage. Courage is what heroes had in earlier definitions.
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I showed this by first talking about the definition that the world today has. Second I went over what the definition of the word hero as found in the epic Beowulf is. Finally I talked about how the definition of the word hero as found in the epic Beowulf is the most applicable in real life today. I hope that through this paper you are able to draw your own conclusions about the word hero, and the impact that the definition from Beowulf would have on the world if we were all models for the definition found
A hero not only needs to be physically outstanding, but he also needs to have integrity, moral values and needs to act without thinking in his own benefit. Beowulf has many characteristics of a hero but he also has some defects that make me think that he wouldn’t be considered a hero in today´s world. A hero concept evolves with a culture, Beowulf has many things that the Anglo-Saxons viewed as heroism but he misses many things that are important for a modern hero.
There are many things to take into consideration when characterizing a person as a hero. Heros are typically seen as people who accomplish brave deeds and fulfill noble tasks for the greater good of things. In the epic poem Beowulf by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet a hero is revealed. What makes Beowulf a hero is his unbelievable strength and power. He does not get discouraged or let anything stear him away from what he feels needs to be done for the safety of others. In his battles with the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon Beowulf exhibits his strength and will to fight. Beowulf, is loyal to his people and his king. What I feel is the most important quality of Beowulf, though, is his willingness to risk his life for the good
Thou Hrothgar, hail! Hygelac's I, – kinsman and follower. Fame a plenty – have I gained in youth! (”Beowulf”408-410) Francis B. Gummere the author of the epic “Beowulf”, which tells the tale of a hero. For a story that’s supposed to be told about a hero Beowulf’s actions are not the case with many hero’s and maybe for Anglo-Saxon culture, but Beowulf cannot be considered as a hero in modern times. Beowulf is not a modern hero or a hero that would be accepted in today’s society. Beowulf is not a hero because of his lack of morals and compassion, Beowulf not believing in his own men, and Beowulf’s constant need to be the best or accepted by many.
Reading through Beowulf I began to compare it to the last great epic I read, Homer’s Odyssey. While the Odyssey and Beowulf are each examples of both historic and modern ideas of heroism, the acts of Beowulf’s hero seem to fit better within its context.
Many people have read the tale of “Beowulf” and consider him a hero to the town of Herot. For 13 years Herot was cursed with a demon named Grendel which hunted down innocent citizens. Grendel was only mad because of the large parties held at the Hall. Just as Herot seemed helpless a “hero” named Beowulf showed up. Beowulf isn’t a hero because he used the issue to promote himself, not bring order to Herot.
Most of us have heard of modern day heroes such as Spiderman, Superman, and the Hulk. Each is a hero to many children. Heroes are introduced to people early on in life usually as fictional characters, but as children grow older their perceptions of heroes alter. The characteristics of a hero are usually based around the ideas of a society or culture. In the epic Beowulf, the main character is thought of as a hero. Beowulf, a pagan warrior and the main character of the epic, shows certain characteristics such as bravery, loyalty, and generosity, which portray him as a hero. It is interesting how modern day heroes show the much of the same qualities as Beowulf.
What is a hero? The Webster dictionary describes it as, “a person...who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” But how can mere words on a page create icons that change the course of a culture? Lost in the midst of time, two stories emerge from the medieval era, telling of two great kings who clash in various ways.
A hero is someone who is admired for their courage and bravery, as well as their noble accomplishments. They are respected by almost everyone, due to their kindness and charitable mindset, that drives them to fight for the good of others. Beowulf is the perfect representation of a hero, based on multiple characteristics that he displays throughout the novel. Along with his characteristics, Beowulf also takes on many “hero like” challenges and tasks. In the novel, Beowulf is praised and admired throughout the kingdom for his bravery, humility, and selflessness.
A hero in mythology and legend is a man often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for bold exploits, and favored by the gods. Beowulf, the strongest man alive and the greatest Anglo-Saxon warrior, distinguishes himself as this kind of hero. When Herot is in danger of being destroyed by the ferocious beast Grendal, Beowulf raises hell to the menacing beast. Through his brave actions and deeds, Beowulf demonstrates heroic qualities and that is revered by Anglo-Saxon and those which are also universally respected.
Karma is the destiny you earn through your actions and behaviors; when you act greedy and loathsome to others, you end up worse than the ones you looked down on. In Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, and Grendel, written by John Gardner, Unferth is an underrepresented character who is marginalized by others, especially Beowulf, and portrayed as unheroic due to him killing his own brothers. However, deep inside he is the most heroic character of all. In Beowulf, society defines heroism as all about fame and glory, something Unferth does not have, thus making him unheroic; in Grendel, Unferth finds his own definition of heroism as dynamic and realizes that he can be the hero of his own life, not anybody else’s.
In my essay I will be breaking down the meaning of a hero according to the literature text. The two heroic figures that I will be using to describe the meaning of what a true hero is will be protagonists Beowulf and Gilgamesh. Each Individual has their own ways of becoming a rememberable hero. One theme in both stories is their unmatched physical abilities and skills. Beowulf and Gilgamesh show heroic characteristics throughout the two stories. No hero is just like the next hero, but Gilgamesh and Beowulf have similar stories that portray their heroic characteristics.
Throughout history, people have created super heroes in times of trouble to bring hope to people. Anglo Saxon heroes were also created in times of trouble, like the superhero Beowulf. Like modern day heroes, Beowulf exemplifies many characteristics that make them admirable heroes. Beowulf can connect to modern day heroes through his actions shown during battle, and his boasting. Throughout all of Beowulf’s battles, he exemplifies courage, selflessness and loyalty, which makes him similar to a modern day hero.
Without the divided effort of Hrothgar, Beowulf, and Wiglaf, the people of Herot would not have been saved from destruction. Each character, encompassing a unique trait, is crucial to success. When faced with evil, these characters willingly execute adequate effort in hopes of defeating this evil. The acts of dedication, heroism and bravery in Beowulf are critical to the victory of protagonists in the epic poem.
Beowulf shows physical strength in the story by defeating Grendel. In line 219 of Grendel’s mother, it tells how Beowulf killed her. “…cut it through, broke bones and all.” His strength is also told in line 213 of how he “lifted the sword that was so massive that no ordinary man could lift.” Beowulf’s determination, or his will to win, was throughout the story, even up until his death. A quote that describes this is, “…he cut the beast in half, slit it apart. It fell…”(line 185). He shows courage along with his cousin, Wiglaf, when they defeat the fire dragon. In line 189 it says, “…their courage had killed it, two noble cousins had joined in the dragon’s death.”
The original definition of a hero as defined by Beowulf, The Knight’s Tale from Canterbury Tales, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” This definition was acquired by looking at the characteristics that make up each of the heroes from the previously listed stories; and by looking at what they had in common, or what tied the different heroes together. The characteristics that collectively made up these people included fearlessness, integrity, and dutifulness.