Why Beowulf Is A Hero

Submitted By Ashleydanielle97
Words: 576
Pages: 3

Whether someone’s hero is a living person or a fabled character from a movie, everyone has a hero. I think a lot when I hear the word of someone being a hero. Being a hero is anyone or someone who, through personal effort, makes a positive action in loves of others without compromising his or her own personal values. In my view, there are different kinds of heroes, Ancient heroes, Shakespearean heroes, and even Modern day heroes. In other words, ancient heroes are from the past that have a special quality to make them a hero. Those heroes are still considered heroes today as well as many others. Shakespearean heroes are in my word, tragic heroes (“a great or virtuous character in dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, and/or defeat”). Lastly, Modern day heroes are different people of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his or her brave deeds and noble qualities. It’s a person who, in the opinion of other, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. (dictionary.com; tragic hero; April 29, 2015) Beowulf is a legendary Geatish warrior and hero from the Old English epic poem Beowulf. Why is he a hero you may ask? Beowulf shows the traits and characteristics of the perfect ancient hero. This poem explores his heroism in two separate phases, young and age, and through three separate and increasingly difficult conflicts with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Beowulf is a great warrior, characterized by his strengths and courage, he perfectly describes the manners and values dictated by Germanic, and pride, when he defeated Grendel, Grendel’s mother, his reputation for bravery establishes him fully as a hero. Beowulf shows himself as both a warrior and a king, The encounter with the dragon, the poet reflects further on how the responsibilities of a king. Meaning in my opinion, he strives to have good in people and not just in himself. (sparknotes.com; Beowulf; April 29, 2015). Next, you have the modern day hero, Clarke Kent as Superman. In today’s world many people don’t think of as many heroes as before. I choose Superman because he is also