Jada Banks
Mr.tanig
English AP
10-8-15
Prompt: evaluate beowulf and winston and decide who would be a better hero for modern society
Winston and Beowulf are both heroes in their own ways. What makes them different? What set them apart from each other of being a better hero? Beowulf tells a story of his heroic battles full of violence, horror and distraught to save his people from danger. Beowulf is the best illustration of a hero for modern society. He has primordial heroic deeds risks his life for glory his braveness is what makes him strong and a censurable leader . A hero is someone who has courage, idolized, worshipped and has noble qualities.
Many people define Winston as a hero because how he withstands the system in 1984. Winston stood up for his beliefs, he was willing to sacrifice anything for what he believed in . Why should that make him a hero? ”She did not understand that there was no such thing as happiness, that the only victory lay in the far future, long after you were dead, that from the moment of declaring war on the party it was better to think of yourself as a corpse.”(pg.137) Many people didn't praise him because everything was more of a secret and if the party was to find out he would be in vain. He knows somethings not right he won't let it bypass him that is what a good citizen is called
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to do. Beowulf on the other hand physically and mentally fights for his credence for his people. He is brave strong and not afraid to defend himself among these intractable monsters. Beowulf had to face three three battles to earn this title of a hero of modern society. He first has a face to face combat with grendel in which he aggressively rips off Grendel’s arm in full force. This shows Beowulf's articulate strength in his human nature as a human being. “The infamous killer fought for his freedom, wanting no flesh but retreat, desiring nothing but escape..”(pg.51) he showed so much strength and portrayed so much courage Grendel gave in without a fight. Furthermore, Beowulf was present in a sword fight against Grendel’s mother taking place underwater. No matter how hard she taunted and clawed at him beowulf did not give in.”The water was calm and clean, the whole huge lake peaceful once the demons who’d lived in it were dead.’(pg.60) the people thanked beowulf once again rejoicing because they no longer have to live in fear. Lastly, he undergoes a battle with a dragon full armored and with his weapons “I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me.”(pg.62) portraying his increasing in age and retirement.
His greed for the towns freedom becomes feckless, but he still gives full action knowing death soon awaits him. Beowulf nor the dragon survived but Beowulf spirit still remained. “And now the giving of swords, of golden rings and rich estates, is over, ended for you and everyone who shares your blood: when the brave geats hear how you bolted and ran none of your race will have anything left but their lives.”(pg
69) A hero is someone of good deeds and a characteristic to save someone. The people considered him as a hero to be worshipped for saving their lives making history. Beowulf will pass on his warrior behavior to carry on his belongings as a hero. And so Beowulf’s followers rhode, mourning their beloved leader, crying that no better king had ever lived, no prince so mild,no man so open to his people, so deserving of praise.” (pg.70) Beowulf will live on forever, the people held him at high standard for his markings as a true modern hero. Modern society is defined as people living together in the same setting of current time.It is a expansion of new ideas and life that people have to adapt to for making a better fit for their life. “To be heroic does not have to mean possessing the ability to stand against the evils of the world, either well or successfully, but just that one is willing to stand.”(Mike Alsford) Beowulf set an example for the society showing them what needs to be done to have a successful life so that they can no longer be afraid. He done things that were impossible for others to do.
This essay is the comparison between Beowulf and a modern day hero. I consider any American soldier to be my modern day hero. In this essay I will explain in three paragraphs of how my modern day hero is like Beowulf. With in these three paragraphs I will go over how they are both fighting for a good cause, how they are both rewarded for what they do, and how they are both treated with much respect.
Heroes come in many forms. The construction of "the heroic" has taken many forms, yet traits such as: courage, honor, and loyalty, reappear as themes throughout the "hero" personality. The characters of Beowulf and Sir Gawain each represent a version of a hero, yet each comes across quite differently in their story. A hero can be said to truly win if he remains constant to his noble values when put in any situation that crosses his way. When measured by that criterion, Sir Gawain stands out above Beowulf as a true hero, due to his command of both personal and spiritual power through the use of thought, as well as valiant deeds.
Beowulf, the great Geatish warrior, lives a very adventurous life filled with many voyages, battles, and victories. Through all of these events, he meets various people who are considered to be heroes like himself. These heroes, however, are unable to have the same abilities and characteristics of Beowulf. His great achievements cannot be matched by anything that they have done in their lives. Beowulf is a superior hero to Hrothgar, Unferth, and Wiglaf in the epic of Beowulf because he kills every monster that he fights, becomes a widely feared warrior and king, and dies in battle completing his final heroic act.
...e failed his people. His choice to conquer this dragon seems to be the obvious choice for a warrior. He must protect his people. But Beowulf seems so caught up in the surreal threats such as, monsters and dragons, he fails to realize the real peril he has left his people in. Beowulf is aware of his age and uneasy feeling toward his success yet he chooses to take on the dragon anyways. Although the dragon is defeated the Geat people are presented with even greater danger of the Sweds who will surely pounce on their nation.
There are numerous similitudes and contrasts between Beowulf the motion picture which was made in the year 2007, and the poem by an obscure Angelo Saxon poet. A large portion of the likenesses and contrasts are clear. The poem was changed into a motion picture and was more advanced and simpler to see then the epic poem itself. The movie happens to be more modern and gives the audience a better understanding of Beowulf and what happened during his life. It also helps the audience visualize it rather than having to picture the occurences while reading the poem.
Through his many heroic accomplishments, whether it is fighting Grendel, Grendel’s mother, or the dragon, in Beowulf’s defense of the needy and his enthusiasm to sacrifice his life to benefit others, Beowulf has earned the right to be given the name “hero.” Beowulf can be looked at as a man who demonstrates the knightly morality of his medieval counterparts. Beowulf is not only a hero, but also a model to all warriors of that they should aim to be.
Beowulf also does not care that he can no longer boast as greatly as he one did. Being mortally wounded, he even accepts Wiglaf’s aid in defeating the dragon. In his last moments, Beowulf is in great pain: “[Beowulf] discovered deadly poison suppurating inside him, surges of nausea . . .he still spoke for he well knew his days in the world had been lived out to the end—his allotted time was drawing to a close, death was very near” (Beowulf 2713-28).
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.
A true modern hero is able to set aside fear and act on the matter at hand, which signifies the quality of courage. Being Courageous can set you apart from others, because you are willing to carry out actions that are beneficial for the greater good. Any one can say they are going to do something, but when the claim is backed with actions they truly display courage. Beowulf is the epitome of being courageous. He voluntarily
Hrothgar predicts that Beowulf’s pride would be his demise and he was correct because Beowulf chooses to fight the dragon alone in his older years. Beowulf is no longer in his prime and he knows he will not be around forever and hopes to make a final “score” and let the people live out the rest of their days wealthy and without worry. But Beowulf still wants to fight the beast alone. “Our old gift lord meant to manage this monster hot battle alone once again with his great wonder strength armed with a war name earned through a lifetime forged now with deeds” (2642-46). Beowulf is not fighting these monsters because he believes he is a god but because he wishes to carry out a promise he gave long ago to his people. His only desire is to make the Geats happy.
...in his willingness to lay down his life to fulfill the Green Knight’s request of King Arthur’s men. Beowulf is known among the people as a selfless hero in their times of need. Not only did Beowulf have immense physical strength, but he also had a burning desire for his people’s safety. It is for this selflessness and concern for others that Beowulf is the better hero.
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.
Though Sir Gawain is brave, Beowulf seems more naturally heroic. He goes to the land of the Danes of his own volition. His king does not order him to go. He tells his king that he wishes to go help the Danes defeat Grendel, because he believes he can and should. His people support him because they know what a great warrior and leader he is. He also wants to help King Hrothgar because his father was in debt to Hrothgar and he wants to pay that debt. He wants to honor his father and his father’s word. Beowulf holds himself to a code of honor when he does not have to do so. He risks his life for a country he is not a part of.
Beowulf displayed great courage and honor throughout his journeys and battles; he was an epic hero. An epic hero is a person who is viewed as larger than life and possesses values of a certain society. From the time of Beowulf’s battle with Grendel to his brawl against the dragon, he has showed everyone what being an honorable hero looks like. His heroism is revealed through both youth as a young warrior and wisdom as a reliable king. He never backed down and didn’t give up when situations were tough. Beowulf had obligations to fulfill and went about every aspect of his life with courage and strength. He cared for his people and was willing to take on anyone that threatened them or his kingdom. He sincerely was the hero of his time.
Beowulf has a strong belief in fate. If he dies in battle he believes it’s because it is his destiny to do so. "Fate will unwind as it must!" He realizes the dangers but fears nothing for his own life. This is what makes Beowulf a true hero. Even after serving his people as King of the Geats for fifty years, he goes to battle in hopes, or fate, to destroy a dragon who is terrifying all of his people. At this point however, Beowu...