John Green's Beowulf: A Review

In the scene of th novel where Beowulf passes after fighting the dragon, he expresses some of his feelings in his conversation with Wiglaf. The main theme throughout the novel is heroism, and in Beowulf's final words it shows that he had made the appropriate changes to truly be labeled as a hero. The whole novel is about Beowulf proving himself as hero at all the necessary stages and maintaining the values of a hero while trying to conquer his different challenges. From warrior to king he sought to be an acceptable and upstanding champion for the people who he was supposed to be servicing. On his death bed Beowulf doesn't dwell on the fact that he never had an aire nor does he voice any regrets, he takes pride in the fact that he was a good leader for his people and that he was upstanding in God's eyes. When Beowulf finally passes, and Wilgaf reprimands the men who were supposed to assist them in defeating the dragon, he shows what seperates his king from regular men. He is truly a hero because he never failed his people, and he was always determined to fulfill his duty. In his old age he was more than willing to go battle the dragon, he does what he has to, but never out of self interest only for the protection and the good of his others. The basic definition of a hero in literature is exemplified by the character of Beowulf, and his death only magnifies the view on him as so. As he talks about his accomplishments and about how he serviced his the Danes, you notice that Beowulf's passing is calm and graceful. The dragon had ended his life in such a violent way, but he never seemed to be focused on the pain. The author tells of the blood coming from his neck like rain, but upon his final moments Beowulf doesn't comment on it. I don't believe the death was depicted to be graceful in order to be seen as a reward for being a hero, but to show content, and to protest the theme of heroism by showcasing the life of a hero as fulfilling on a personal level. Many