Beowulf - The Achetype of an Anglo-Saxon Hero

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In present day's society a hero can be seen as someone who risk their own safety or well-being to help someone else either individually or to help the community. Today's requirement to be a hero can be anyone as long as they make sacrifices for others, in which they can be seen as selfless and caring. Many traits that are portrayed of heroes currently were once used to determine a hero in Anglo-Saxon times. In the epic poem Beowulf, by an unknown author, the protagonist Beowulf is visioned to be the archetype of an Anglo-Saxon hero. Some of these attributing qualities that make a hero today were a few of the biggest qualities in Anglo-Saxon times; Beowulf's heroism is personified by his brute strength, his courage to engage in certain instances, and his pride in himself.

Many believe a person or character's will power and determination make them strong and invincible, but Beowulf's physical strength is one of the main reasons to why he is the archetype of an Anglo-Saxon hero. Upon Beowulf's arrival, he had been informed about Grendel, a decedent of Cain, and the acts of violence ...

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