Compare/Contrast epic heroes
Broderick Angel
Richard M. Willis
World Literature
12 February 2014
A True Hero Heroes are everywhere. They are in the stories that are read to children when they are little. They are in movies that are seen by people of all ages. Almost everybody in this world has or has had a hero at one or more times in their life. These heroes can be known for doing the right thing, helping others, religious reasons, etc. In the story Beowulf, the main character is a man, whose name by coincidence is Beowulf, who is portrayed as a super hero. The book discusses many of the reasons why one might address him as a hero. Beowulf is very courageous, he is very strong both mentally and physically, and he possesses a great character and personality. Beowulf is unlike any other warrior before his time. He has certain qualities that set him aside from other warriors. In part 1 of Beowulf, there is a scene where Grendel, an evil monster, is coming into the mead-hall and taking 30 men at a time so he can feast upon them. Beowulf knows that he can take Grendel down, that is, he can kill him once and for all so his people don’t have to worry about the monster returning for any more “snacks.” Before Grendel comes to the mead-hall, Beowulf “…began to remove his iron breast-mail, took off the helmet and handed his attendant the patterned sword…” (1646/The Fight with Grendel/671-673). This scene makes it blatantly obvious that Beowulf is full of courage. He knows that Grendel “…possess[es] a wild strength” (1647/The Fight with Grendel/682-683). Although this fact does not detour Beowulf’s thought. The courage that Beowulf has is continued in part 2 of Beowulf when he goes to fight and kill Grendel’s mother who is seeking revenge on her slain son. The only twist is…Grendel’s mother’s lair is underwater. The swim took Beowulf “…the best part of a day before he could see the solid bottom” (1666/Beowulf Fights Grendel’s Mother/1495-1496). This action of swimming so deep and
Richard M. Willis
World Literature
12 February 2014
A True Hero Heroes are everywhere. They are in the stories that are read to children when they are little. They are in movies that are seen by people of all ages. Almost everybody in this world has or has had a hero at one or more times in their life. These heroes can be known for doing the right thing, helping others, religious reasons, etc. In the story Beowulf, the main character is a man, whose name by coincidence is Beowulf, who is portrayed as a super hero. The book discusses many of the reasons why one might address him as a hero. Beowulf is very courageous, he is very strong both mentally and physically, and he possesses a great character and personality. Beowulf is unlike any other warrior before his time. He has certain qualities that set him aside from other warriors. In part 1 of Beowulf, there is a scene where Grendel, an evil monster, is coming into the mead-hall and taking 30 men at a time so he can feast upon them. Beowulf knows that he can take Grendel down, that is, he can kill him once and for all so his people don’t have to worry about the monster returning for any more “snacks.” Before Grendel comes to the mead-hall, Beowulf “…began to remove his iron breast-mail, took off the helmet and handed his attendant the patterned sword…” (1646/The Fight with Grendel/671-673). This scene makes it blatantly obvious that Beowulf is full of courage. He knows that Grendel “…possess[es] a wild strength” (1647/The Fight with Grendel/682-683). Although this fact does not detour Beowulf’s thought. The courage that Beowulf has is continued in part 2 of Beowulf when he goes to fight and kill Grendel’s mother who is seeking revenge on her slain son. The only twist is…Grendel’s mother’s lair is underwater. The swim took Beowulf “…the best part of a day before he could see the solid bottom” (1666/Beowulf Fights Grendel’s Mother/1495-1496). This action of swimming so deep and