Beowulf is the archetype of the dragon slayer, the hero who faces death in order to save a threatened community. Does Beowulf remind you of any heroes in real life, in fiction, or in the movies today? What characteristics do the heroes share?
“And over and over they swore that nowhere on earth or under the spreading sky or between the seas, neither south nor north, was there a warrior worthier to rule over men” (35). This worthy warrior is Beowulf, prince of the Geats. When Grendel, the monster, terrorized the people of Herot for twelve long years, only Beowulf accepted the challenge of killing him. When the cowardly Grendel came to feast on the sleeping men in Hrothgar’s hall, Beowulf drove off the monster after separating Grendel’s arm from his body. After Grendel’s mother attacks Herot, Beowulf besieges her lair. He triumphs and returns to his homeland to rule in peace for 50 years. Later, Beowulf sacrifices his life to save the people of Geat from a dangerous dragon. Placing his life in mortal danger in order to save a community at risk, Beowulf is the archetype of epic heroes.
Beowulf is not only an archetype of epic heroes; he embodies characteristics of heroes present today. Typical of fictional heroes, Beowulf possesses herculean strength. Beowulf was able to lift, “a heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons but so massive that no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated length” (37) Comparable to Beowulf is the strength possessed by comic book heroes such as Superman. Among the many virtues Beowulf displays, one is courage. Like American soldiers, Beowulf is willing to risk his life and go to battle for strangers threatened by danger. Beowulf’s bravery can also be observed in the fictional hero, Spider-Man, who consistently saves the lives of the citizens of New York City, despite persecution from the local newspapers. Overall, Beowulf characterizes the best qualities of society’s heroes, past and present.
“And over and over they swore that nowhere on earth or under the spreading sky or between the seas, neither south nor north, was there a warrior worthier to rule over men” (35). This worthy warrior is Beowulf, prince of the Geats. When Grendel, the monster, terrorized the people of Herot for twelve long years, only Beowulf accepted the challenge of killing him. When the cowardly Grendel came to feast on the sleeping men in Hrothgar’s hall, Beowulf drove off the monster after separating Grendel’s arm from his body. After Grendel’s mother attacks Herot, Beowulf besieges her lair. He triumphs and returns to his homeland to rule in peace for 50 years. Later, Beowulf sacrifices his life to save the people of Geat from a dangerous dragon. Placing his life in mortal danger in order to save a community at risk, Beowulf is the archetype of epic heroes.
Beowulf is not only an archetype of epic heroes; he embodies characteristics of heroes present today. Typical of fictional heroes, Beowulf possesses herculean strength. Beowulf was able to lift, “a heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons but so massive that no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated length” (37) Comparable to Beowulf is the strength possessed by comic book heroes such as Superman. Among the many virtues Beowulf displays, one is courage. Like American soldiers, Beowulf is willing to risk his life and go to battle for strangers threatened by danger. Beowulf’s bravery can also be observed in the fictional hero, Spider-Man, who consistently saves the lives of the citizens of New York City, despite persecution from the local newspapers. Overall, Beowulf characterizes the best qualities of society’s heroes, past and present.
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