Joseph Campbell once said, "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." A hero is someone who would give up their time, money, and life to perform a task to better one person, one community, or one world. Heroes do not have to be super; in fact, most heroes today are just average people doing what they love to better the world. "Contemporary heroes" did what they loved to help the world, helped people out of the kindness of their hearts and did not expect anything in return, and gave everything they had for the cause. In the story Beowulf, the main character Beowulf, helped a town rid itself of the horrible beast that lurked nearby. But, was it out of the goodness of his heart, or was it for fame and …show more content…
A young woman was walking down the street on a cold, rainy day; she noticed an elderly woman living on the street. The older woman was wearing wet socks and sandals, so the younger woman pulled her aside into a nearby shoe store. The young woman asked if she could buy the elderly woman a pair of shoes more suited for life outside; the elderly woman eagerly agreed. The young women did not expect money or payback; she just did it because she wanted to help. Beowulf, did not do anything just because he wanted to help. Beowulf defeated Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon to save the town, but he did it so he would be remembered. He wanted a legacy: power, treasure, and respect. He was a very flashy hero and completed tasks that made a lasting impact on the people he saved. He was granted the right to become king, and he wanted a watchtower built in his honor after his death. He wanted the sailors and townspeople to look at the tower and think of him and his triumphs. Which was reasonable, everyone wanted to be remembered, but "contemporary heroes" completed tasks not because they wanted to be listed in history books, but because they wanted to help people. A hero should not need flashy titles, treasures, or watchtowers, they just needed someone in need and a plan to help them any way they
There many ways to describe a hero but in my words the way I describe as is someone who risks dieing everyday for the ones they love or for the people and someone who isnt afraid to stand up to a very difficult task at hand.Beowulf is an excellent example of an archetypal hero in the following in the following three ways: he risks death and glory for greater good of society,he has super human strength,he decapitated grendels mother, and he is a strong responsible leader.In conclusion those are my examples of why beowulf is a hero.
Beowulf is a great tale but as a person, he isn’t that all that people make him out to be. In his older years his need for attention and glory ended up with the death of him. He fought the dragon alone and in return, ended up killing the dragon, but also sacrificed himself. Even as he died he asked for one thing, his people to build him a memorial near the sea so everyone could see the person that he was. His need for attention, lack of planning, and need for glory caused him to be just a prideful man, not a
Beowulf is incredibly altruistic. He feels obligated to defend his people and he does so with absolute determination and bravery. He was beloved by everyone who knew him. “They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.” (Luizza 150). Even after he is fatally wounded by the dragon, his dying wish is for his tomb to serve as a lighthouse. No matter how terr...
Beowulf is going out of his way, "across the sea" to help a lord whom he is not obligated to. He is doing so out of choice to show his respect for Hrothgar, and to help the poor people threatened by Grendel.
In conclusion, although Beowulf possessed many heroic qualities he would not be considered a hero in today’s world. A hero varies from culture to culture. The Anglo-Saxon appreciated different things in a person that what do not we appreciate today. Many things have changed a lot with time, the requisites for being considered a hero have also changed. Today we do not like to solve problems with war. Pride and honor are not as important as the willingness one has to help others. Beowulf is not feeling that contact with people he doesn’t identify with them because he believes himself better, a part of a hero´s cycle is to be identified with the community. To be part
Beowulf was altruistic because he always put the needs of others before his own. His whole reason for coming to Herot was to help the people against Grendel. He even stayed to defeat Grendel’s mother and the fire dragon. “My life was almost lost, fighting for it, struggling under water: I’d have been dead at once, and the fight finished, if our Father in Heaven had not helped me.” (Line 310). In the story, Beowulf is also a Tragic Hero. He possesses goodness by telling the king of the Danes in lines 1-8 that he is honored to be there helping them. Beowulf shows superiority in the story. “I sold my life for this treasure, and I sold it well.” (Line 76). I believe that his tragic flaw is that he was too sure of himself, and never brought the right weapon to fight with. In line 113 it tells how his sword broke into bits after striking the dragon. Beowulf’s tragic realization is that he knew that it was his time, because he believed in the Lord.
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
Beowulf was more than a man. He was a king, a hero, a friend, a warrior. A legend who would not give into defeat and malice. Admired and looked upon by many. A belligerent bold man who lived to see smiles on his friends and fear in his foes faces. Seeing him in battle was an extraordinary sight, the way he moved with such agility, the smirk on his face after decapitating monsters. Beowulf fought for more than glorious gold. He fought to prove that the mighty Beowulf can overcome any task, any challenge, foe or obstacle in his path, for he was more than a man or ring-giver.
A Hero is one that holds positive qualities like, loyalty, courage, and being brave. Beowulf possess these traits and can be noted through both his actions and speech. When he first arrives to Hrothgar’s village, he presents himself as a man who wishes to help the king in need. Beowulf deeply wishes for Hrothgar to
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.
Beowulf is honored after Grendel and his mother’s defeat for his morality and willingness to help the king with his problem. He put aside the life he had at home and gave up everything so they were protected. Upon his return, everyone was praising him and lifting up the wondrous works and all that’d he’d done to protect them. Because of his respectable actions, Beowulf was rewarded for his true heroism. He becomes king over his people and ruled for the next fifty years.
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.
By definition, a tragic hero is a protagonist that due to some tragic flaw loses everything he has. Throughout history, literature has always been filled with main characters possessing some tragic flaw. In Macbeth, Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his enormous ambition to become king. In Hamlet, Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his need for revenge for the death of his father at the hands of his uncle. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh’s tragic flaw is his need to be remembered. In the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, Beowulf also has a tragic flaw, excessive pride and the search for fame, which ultimately leads to his demise.
A hero is someone that helps others no matter what the situation. There are many qualities that a hero must posses such as bravery, courage, strength, intelligence and honor. These qualities alone are not enough to make a hero. They must also be pure at heart, fight for the good of mankind and only fight when it is to protect the people and not out of revenge. Beowulf is everything a hero should be, but contains a few qualities that a hero should not posses. When Beowulf sailed with his men to Herot he had one goal, to rid the hall of Grendal. Beowulf was under no obligation to destroy Grendal and never asked for anything in return for his services. A true hero would never ask for money or anything of value. He put his life at risk to save the people of Herot, who he didn’t even know, out of his own good nature Great strength has been a trait that has been identified with heroes in many stories and legends. Than he saw hanging on the wall, a heavy Sword, hammered by giants, strong And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons But so massive that no ordinary man could lift... (II. 1557-1560) Beowulf possessed great strength that separated him from other men. Being able to use a sword that no ordinary man was able to carry gives the feeling that Beowulf is something more than a human being. It makes him special and causes him to stand out from all other men. Fame is something that makes a hero more noted. Beowulfs popularity had spread all over the world. He never let this go to his head and he never thought that he was better than everyone else because of it. “Your fame is everywhere, my friend,/Reaches to the ends of the earth, and you hold it in your heart wisely...” (II.1704-1706). A hero should not be foolish or full of himself. Unferth said: You’re Beowulf, are you- the same Boastful fool who fought a swimming Match with Brecca, both of you daring and young and proud,exploring the deepest Seas, risking your lives for no reason But the danger? (II. 506-511) A hero should not have to prove to himself or to anyone else that he is brave, fearless or courageous. If he is pure a heart and his intentions are good then he can be considered a true hero.
The usual epic hero is most of the time on a mission. Beowulf was on a mission to help his people by getting rid of Grendel. He is determined to free the Danes from Grendel.The third characteristic of Beowulf is courage. There’s no way Beowulf would have accomplished anything without courage. “The Spear-Danes in days gone by and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. We have heard of those princes' heroic campaigns.” Beowulf stated here that he’s known for courage, “The man whose name was known for courage, the Geat leader, resolute in his helmet,answered in return: "We are retainers