Kevlar: A Hero In Joseph Campbell's The Anglo-Saxon Hero

Depicted is a scenario relatable to Beowulf’s actions. Kevlar is a military man who defends his people through battle and experiences events uncommon in an ordinary man or woman’s everyday life. One specific experience includes continuously fighting in dangerous battles to prevent people from more harm. Saving lives and defending his people while risking his own life is a large element of heroism. Kevlar is Joseph Campbell’s definition of a hero in Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth by finding, achieving, or doing something greater than himself, in this case, the possible loss of his life to ensure his people 's safety. It is not easy to act on something such as Kevlar’s job, which leads to why he is perceived as a hero. But frequently

Without mental strength and stability, one cannot lead or rule efficiently and may cause more harm than good. Beowulf is not just a hero in the terms of Joseph Campbell, but is also the definition of an Anglo-Saxon hero. Christopher Garcia, author of The Anglo-Saxon Hero, declares that to be an Anglo-Saxon hero, one must be a warrior which Beowulf is. Although he is the interpretation of an Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf does not bask in his own glory. He controls his mentality which demonstrates how he is mentally strong. As Garcia says, “warriors had to be willing to face any odds, and fight to the death for the glory and people.” Throughout Beowulf, Beowulf fulfills his job as a hero by using his mental strength to display a proper attitude without being overconfident in his abilities. An example of his properness occurs in a formal boast when he claims, “I mean to perform to the uttermost / what your people wanted or perish in the attempt” (634-635). Presented in this quote, Beowulf shows the obvious power of his mentality and willingness to put his life at risk to save others. Beowulf is a definite hero by definitions and exhibits the proper mental strength to relieve the fear the Danes have from Grendel’s multitude of fatal

Beowulf displays his leadership skills in an abundance of particular ways. It takes mental strength and determination to develop leadership skills that Beowulf has. Throughout the text, Beowulf leads his people through various victory’s. To do this, he has to have the ability to lead his people with determination and strength. Dr. J. Michael Stitt has said, “the poem ultimately shows the importance of a leader that is adorned by his people.” This has abundant accuracy when talking about Beowulf. He went out of his way by his travels from Geatland to Denmark to resolve a conflict with Grendel’s common attacks. Beowulf did not anticipate his fight with Grendel’s mother, but when the time comes he is prepared to battle and defeats her. The battles are not limited to Grendel and his mother, but also include a fight with a mighty dragon. The older warrior, Beowulf, is now weaker than he once before but does not give up. His awesome leadership drives him to fight the dragon despite it being much harder than it once was. All three battles are reasons Beowulf is idolized and an inspirational, major character in the poem. An astonishing leadership skill Beowulf displays is his realization of reality and understanding the possible good or bad outcomes and that is exactly what a