Beowulf A Modern Epic Hero - 1595 Words

When someone typically hears something regarding a superhero it’s the fact that they are saving the day. What comes to my mind is a tall, muscled, and good-looking man. The abilities epic heroes hold are without a doubt unspeakable. In common heroes today, they hold the ability to be strong, courageous, and have superhuman features. For example, the Anglo-Saxon heroes were always prepared to put their own lives in jeopardy for the greater good. Heroes always have target goals they must achieve in order to accomplish significant objectives in society. Majority of heroes have superhuman abilities compared to abilities of gods’. In the story of Beowulf, readers get to see a young audacious hero show the abilities of loyalty, wisdom, and physical strength. As I read the story, I saw that Beowulf matures into a man who doesn’t simply upkeep about individual magnificence and integrity but cares about his society as a leader. Beowulf is compared to a modern epic hero because he is fighting for a good cause, rewarded for doing the right thing, and is respectfully treated as a hero. The importance of the poem requires readers to understand the key information throughout it. It begins with King Hrothgar’s suffering with the problem of Grendel, a powerful- demon who terrorizes the citizens of Denmark every night, who kills them and crushes their efforts to fight back. In lines 100-104, Grendel is introduced to the story with the description of, â€Å"a fiend out of hell, began toShow MoreRelatedComparing Beowulf And Grendel And Beowulf1702 Words   |  7 Pagestranslated, Beowulf has represented one of the finest examples of heroic poetry. As a tale reflecting the noble deeds of a hero, it uniquely expresses the cultural values of the Anglo-Saxons from whom it originated since heroes often do reflect the best of what their culture deems worthwhile. However, modern adaptations of this work express a different set of cultural values; valu es unique to modern society. When comparing the translated poem, Beowulf, to the 2005 motion picture, Beowulf and GrendelRead MoreEssay On Selflessness In Beowulf783 Words   |  4 Pagesheroes or monsters in the modern world, I believe that certain qualities which are extremely ubiquitous in modern society as well as in the epic poem Beowulf, align completely with the archetype of an epic hero, these qualities being selflessness, generosity, and bravery. The traits of epic heroes are glorified in society and are the standard to which a society bases their morals from, a prime example of one such trait is selflessness. Not only is selflessness portrayed in Beowulf with a positive connotationRead MoreEssay Beowulf and Batman622 Words   |  3 PagesThere are many similarities between Batman- a modern day hero making use of his intellect, modern technology, and detective skills on crime and warfare and the classic hero, Beowulf- who travels great distances to prove his strength against his enemies, even at impossible odds. For example, the simplest being that they are both heroes working towards the common good, saving others without twice thinking of their own safety. However there are also many differences: obvious ones such as the fact theyRead MoreAnalysis Of Beowulf As A Heroic Epic779 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown†. Stories about such heroes have been told for centur ies. In fact, heroistic ideals are sometimes the basis of a society. The Anglo-Saxon people are a prime example of the previous statement. In Anglo-Saxon culture, being called a hero was an honor. Heroes were treated like kings. One of the most popular hero stories that bled into Anglo-Saxon life was the heroic epic of Beowulf. Beowulf was the perfect example of an Anglo-Saxon hero as heRead MoreBeowulf Epic Hero Essay880 Words   |  4 PagesAnalysis of Beowulf as an Epic Hero The definition of a hero from ancient times to present day has evolved greatly, but they often still possess characteristics synonymous across all cultures and timespans. In modern times, they are often thought of as role models for others to live up to, and are generally humble, honest, and not afraid to put others in front of themselves. In ancient times, more emphasis was put on strength and fearlessness, and epic heroes were often saviors of the land, sentRead MoreBeowulf : A Medieval Plot Twist867 Words   |  4 PagesJanuary 2016 Beowulf: A Medieval Plot Twist. Beowulf encapsulates all the requirements that modern readers have come to expect of a medieval hero. He is loyal, brave, pious, what stubborn while at the same time he displays traits that represent the anti-hero. He exemplifies both the hero and the anti-hero. Beowulf truly is something for everyone. The epic poem bearing the name of the erstwhile hero is the bellwether for epic poetry; it and Homer?s works are the standards that all epic poems are comparedRead MoreTheme Of Good And Evil In Beowulf882 Words   |  4 PagesIn the epic poem, Beowulf, perhaps the most important theme seen throughout is the portrayal of good and evil, and how this portrayal impacts the story. The epic poem is about an epic hero, Beowulf, who is completely thought of as a good character and a strong warrior. The unknown author of this poem makes Beowulf out to be, ultimately, a glorified killer of the perceived monsters. However, the poem in and of itself is an opinionated story which gives the bare am ount of opposition to show that perhapsRead MoreDefinition Of A Modern Hero In Beowulf744 Words   |  3 Pagessettled in what is now Great Britain. The Anglo-Saxons wrote many epics depicting what they thought heroes were, but is their definition of a hero the same as our own? A good example of an Anglo-Saxon hero is Beowulf, he travelled to Denmark with a group of warriors to fight a monster named Grendel that was terrorizing a city, he also killed Grendel’s mother and a dragon to save the people in the city. He may seem like a modern hero, he’s saving the people in danger, he shows leadership, and has theRead MoreCritique Analysis Of Beowulf753 Words   |  4 PagesCritique Paper – Beowulf In the epic Beowulf, the main character Beowulf possesses all the qualities of a hero during the Anglo Saxon Era. He demonstrates his courage, loyalty, wisdom, and strength but are these qualities enough to consider him a hero by the standards of today? Beowulf has qualities that strong heroes have but didnt struggle to get them because he was born with it. He has many adventures, like fighting Grendel and other monstrous creatures but was very sure of himself. He wasRead Morean analysis of the qualifications of an Epic Hero887 Words   |  4 PagesAn epic hero is someone who goes down in history as being brave, courageous, and obviously heroic. They don’t have to be asked to save the day, and often times, they aren’t even saving their own people. There are several epic poems that come to mind when thinking about European culture and where it came from. These stories are held as sacred to many different people, and will always be studied whenever the topic of government or culture comes up. In these poems, or stories, there is always a hero