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Beowulf character analysis essay
Who considers beowulf a hero in the story
Who considers beowulf a hero in the story
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A hero is someone that is idolized, admired, or publicly recognized for their courageous and outstanding achievements. The connotation of the word “hero” has slightly changed from the time of the Anglo-Saxons who reigned in Britain during the 5th century to the current time period of the 20th and 21st century. Societies tend to rely on heros to receive hope, save them from troubles, deliver justice, and sometimes entertain. In order to be considered a hero in the 5th century, one would have to fit strict, rigorous qualifications however, in modern day the term hero if flexible and many different qualities and achievements can shape someone a hero.
In the 5th century the Anglo Saxons invaded England and conquered the new land to call it their
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Anglo Saxons needed to trust one another to ensure that their community would not be in danger. The story of Beowulf is an epic poem that displays the attributes of what was considered to be a hero in the time of the Anglo Saxons. The protagonist, Beowulf goes on a journey to save the public from terrorism and the spread of hate from Grendel and several creatures. In the inception of the poem the it states,“Proclaiming that he’d go to the famous king… now when help was needed” (114), this tells the reader that Beowulf is courageous enough to travel to an unfamiliar destination to protect the values of the residing civilians. With Grendel tormenting the civilians, the Anglo Saxons sense of community was in jeopardy. Later in the poem he displayed great supernatural strength, “He leaped into the lake…For hours he sank through the waves” (468). This section of the poem presents Beowulf with the ability to have combat underwater for hours, which is most certainly a supernatural power which draws back to the Anglo …show more content…
Most heros nowadays are based on personal opinion and don't need to meet strict regards to be considered heroic. For example sometimes celebrities and idols are often portrayed heroic for attempting a new fashion trend, pushing a new fad, or influencing ideas into culture. Also, musicians may be deemed heroic by their fans for creating songs that relate to them and get them through an obstacle or lessen their worries with the support the music may bring. In contrast, some modern day heros are still those with brave qualities. For instance, police officers, fire fighters, crime investigators, and teachers are rightfully considered heroes because of the difficulty and courage it takes to perform the tasks and jobs that come with their occupation. Those jobs require people to be tolerable to high stress and sometimes risk their lives to protect the lives of others. Moreover, in the mid 20th century the United States was suffering in the Great depression, a long term economic downturn. During the Great Depression unemployment was popular, banks failed, and housing and global trade plummeted. Franklin Delanor Roosevelt created programs and services which ultimately saved America from the depression and got the economy back on a healthy track. Roosevelt earned the title “hero” by rescuing American citizens from an economic crisis. Personally, I consider Obama my hero. He helped pushed for
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.
People questioned if Beowulf acts of heroism can really be called heroic. He may have done it just to gain fame, or made it sound unrealistic so that people would see him as a god. A hero is someone who is isn’t afraid to dance with death if it means doing what is right, or protecting someone. Beowulf has shown to have this characteristic by his tales of adventures. For example “I drove five great giants into chains, chased All of that race from the earth. In the darkness of the night hunting monsters Out of the ocean, and killing them one By one” (154-158). Should acts of heroism that seem unrealistic be disregarded as a hero’s act?
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
In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf is shown as a hero with extrodinary strength. This is not what makes him a hero. By definition, a hero is a man of exceptional quality. However this term does not do Beowulf justice. His self-imposed purpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his own life in doing so. Beowulf’s battle with the dragon serves as a critique of the notion that Beowulf is a hero. The Dragon section displays many of Beowulf’s heoric characteristics. Beowulf establishes himself as a hero by fighting the dragon, exemplifing strength and courage when fighting the dragon, and sacrificing himself so that others can live.
Beowulf was one of the first great literary pieces ever told. Not only was it one of the first great orally told stories, it also was one of the first heroic tales. Beowulf was a great warrior who risked his own life to save a village from a savage monster, so when I was asked if Beowulf was a hero or not, I didn’t have to think twice of my answer. Beowulf showed many characteristics of being a hero, although there were a multitude of evil monsters who were attempting to contravene with his heroic actions. The battle of good and evil with forever be an essential part of literature and also real life!
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.”
Many epics have been written and forgotten. Yet, the epic of Beowulf has stayed as one of the premiere examples of a heroic epic. This brings an inevitable question to mind. Why is Beowulf considered a hero?
Epic battles, terrifying monsters, extraordinary strength, and great leadership; these characteristics and encounters are what make up the epic hero that is Beowulf. The heroism exemplified by Beowulf is defined by many different qualities. Beowulf is truly a hero because he is willing to put himself at great risk for the greater good.
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.
A true hero does not fear death or, but instead risks all that he is for what he believes to be right, moral, and just. Beowulf is an epic and tells the story of a legendary hero, conquering all obstacles as if he was immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf’s life he was constantly looking to be the hero. However, his humanity is exposed by his death. Heroes all share the characteristic of their willingness to die in their effort to accomplish their heroic act, thus making the act in itself heroic. Throughout the epic, Beowulf in many ways exhibited all the qualities and characteristics needed to be a true hero.
According to google.com a hero is someone who “is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievments, or noble equalities.” (google.com). For example, superman , superman is an all time american classic modern hero who is admired for his courage and for saving earth multiple times from super villains. Another example of a hero is Beowulf. Beowulf was created around 1000 AD and was known far and wide throughout the lands for his selflessness,bravery, and courage .
Two of the several Anglo-Saxon values showcased in Beowulf are bravery and strength. A hero must have the courage to complete a journey which must be traveled or a task which must be completed. Beowulf’s courage and strength is made obvious in many instances of the epic poem
The story of “Beowulf” is one of the oldest epic poems that represents a hero back in the days. Beowulf is a character in the story that has all the qualities of an Anglo-Saxon hero. He is strong, fearless, brave, and courageous, which are typical characteristics for a hero but are these qualities considered him as a hero by the standards of modern day? This Anglo-Saxon poem does have “heroic” characteristics like bravery and honor but it is not a true representation of an actual hero. Although Beowulf is idolized throughout the poem as a hero figure, he shows an egocentric nature to seeking glory for himself and not giving credit to those who aid him by his side.
Heroes have been around since the beginning. They are introduced to humans at an early age, it doesn’t matter if they are fighting monsters and bad guys, or just rescuing a “damsel in distress.” A hero is pictured as a person with incredible determination and the desire to save people, some are more relatable to the average human such as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, while others are more farfetched with superhuman powers like Superman. However, if you study and compare all of the heroes since the beginning, it can be seen that the traits and depictions of heroes have greatly evolved over time. When heroes were around in ancient times they were glorified and different from everyone else.
You also don’t have to kill anyone, conquer foreign land, or risk your life to be a hero. Anyone who influences anyone else by saving or helping save his or her lives is a hero. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. changed the lives of millions of people by bringing justice to minorities. Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest heroes, led a nonviolent revolution to free his country.