Modern Hero vs. Anglo Saxon Hero Essay

Heroes comes in all different shapes and sizes. This is clearly seen when comparing the heroes in the stories of Beowulf, Cuchulainn’s Boyhood Deeds, Lanval, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. For example, Beowulf and Cuchulainn both share traits of a hero; however, have drastic dissimilarities.

Heroes bring a hope to people whom they protect. Heroes bring people joy and bring a sense of relaxation to the people of their society because they play such an important role in lives everywhere. Heroes are complex rather than unembellished because they can fight dragons to defend their kingdom, or create a non-profit foundation to enhance the quality of life for more than 2,000 underprivileged kids. Heroes in our present day can be very complex because a person’s viewpoint on a hero’s life can be a completely different than the way another person looks at that same hero. Thomas Davis Sr. can be extremely comparable to Beowulf but they also have major differences.

Most of us have heard of modern day heroes such as Spiderman, Superman, and the Hulk. Each is a hero to many children. Heroes are introduced to people early on in life usually as fictional characters, but as children grow older their perceptions of heroes alter. The characteristics of a hero are usually based around the ideas of a society or culture. In the epic Beowulf, the main character is thought of as a hero. Beowulf, a pagan warrior and the main character of the epic, shows certain characteristics such as bravery, loyalty, and generosity, which portray him as a hero. It is interesting how modern day heroes show the much of the same qualities as Beowulf.

Growing up, everyone has a idea on what a hero looks like. Heros represent a lot of different aspects of bravery. Every culture in history has had a heroic figure. In most cultures heroes portray different aspects of being a hero. In Anglo-Saxon times heroes were considered strong, and fearless. Beowulf is a true epic hero in Anglo- Saxon times because he is very fearless, strong, and honored.

Being a hero can mean many different things. A modern day hero might be someone who has a strong moral code or someone that has extraordinary powers and abilities but, looking back in time the meaning of a hero has changed slightly. During Anglo-Saxon times, being a hero meant being loyal to their lord and god, having a sense of duty, being selfless, having honor, being intelligent, and boasting. It also meant being brave and having courage, having a sense of justice, and having larger than life strength. A great example of an Anglo-Saxon hero is Beowulf from “Beowulf,” written by an unknown author. In this poem, Beowulf exemplifies the characteristics of an Anglo-Saxon hero because he was brave and courageous, he had superhuman strength, and he had a unique sense of justice.

The Anglo-Saxons held several different values than what we do today. Some people say they would have fit in better back in those days. However if you look at some of the things the American culture values today, you will see some similar values. Comparing Beowulf to our modern day values several things can be compared and contrasted.

During the Anglo-Saxon era, the Anglo-Saxons were invaded by monsters and demons. In addition, the Anglo-Saxons were in search for a hero. That hero turned out to be the great Beowulf. Beowulf fits the characteristics of the ideal hero: he has superhuman strength, a desire for glory, and courage.

Beowulf embodies the Anglo-Saxon archetype of an epic hero. A key moment in the epic is when king Hrothgar welcomes Beowulf to his kingdom and says “But to table, Beowulf, a banquet in your honor:/Let us toast your victories, and talk of the future” (ll. 223-224). Here it is shown that even a king is acknowledging Beowulf’s bravery and is throwing him a feast, one of the highest honors a king could bestow upon anyone, showing Hrothgar’s great admiration for Beowulf. During the feast Unferth questions Beowulf’s honor but is shown to be a coward himself when Beowulf refutes his claims and inspires king Hrothgar with a speech: “The Geats will show him courage, soon/He can test his strength in battle. And when the sun/Comes up again, opening another/Bright day from the south, anyone in Denmark” will be able to enter Herot (ll. 332-342). Much like they typical Anglo-Saxon

An epic hero, an Anglo-Saxon hero, a modern-day hero; A hero is is often defined by certain qualities, looked upon traits. We have heroes amongst our lives everyday, from saving a life to simply helping someone out. In the epic poem, “Beowulf”, Beowulf was the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The Anglo-Saxon code reflects much of the code of Chivalry, the code of the Samurai, to the modern-day code of just doing good. He embodied courage, honesty, loyalty, and much more, attributes that were all valued by the Anglo-Saxon code. Beowulf was truly an Anglo-Saxon hero of his time as he possessed all the traits of an Anglo-Saxon hero.

The main difference between the hero during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance is that one is more focused on the ideals of religion while the other is focused on typical ideals of knighthood. Beowulf is essentially the perfect knight, having each value in spades. Beowulf has the heroic ideals of bravery, fortitude, and loyalty. In each situation that Beowulf encounters, he proves that he is a hero by displaying these values.

If one hundred people were asked the meaning of the word hero, each of them would have a different definition. The word hero has several definitions based on the fact that the definition varies based on the person who is being asked. The late author, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou defines a hero as “… any person really intent on making [the place they live] a better place for all people” (Zevallos). Her definition pinpoints why Beowulf and Reverend Al Sharpton are both heroes. Even though Beowulf and Reverend Al Sharpton were born in different time periods and places, they have more differences and some similarities.

Originating in the Anglo-Saxon period, the epic poem Beowulf portrays a legendary hero. Beowulf established the earlier form of heroism, and was then later introduced in to the English culture. Praised and admired by many people, Beowulf possesses several distinct traits that allow him to be defined perfectly as an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero; his eagerness to seek glory and fame, rather than richness and treasures, his loyalty and graceful attitude not only to his rulers but also to his followers, and his contradictory beliefs of faith and fate

Beowulf has done and said many things that that earned him the titles of boasting, selfless, and boasting. He has saved countless

Anglo Saxon heroes is willing to put their own lives in danger for the good. They provide the people with a sense of security to make them feel safe, they also display honor in every act. Just like Beowulf is willing to put himself at risk by accepting the challenge of fighting the monster, Grendel, for the honor of helping and to honor his father who pledged his allegiance to Hrothgar. The Wanderer helps to further the Anglo Saxon hero. The earth-walker says that "men eager for fame shut sorrowful thought up fast in their breast's coffer" (Norton). This quotation adds another level to the definition of a hero. A hero in Anglo-Saxon culture had to be strong, brave, intelligent, he must always keep his sorrows and fears to himself, mainly locking how he feels away. Heroes couldn't complain about their problems, or appear weak to others. Anglo Saxon warriors had to appear fearless always. Anglo Saxon sets up mental and physical strength, leadership, loyalty and the ability to avenge as characteristics of a hero, and these ideals of heroism seem to stand side by side with the Anglo Saxon understanding of Christianity. Beowulf and the Wanderer are similar in a few ways. They are mainly the same character but at different points in life. Both characters are warriors that fight for a lord of some kind. They both revel in glory, honor, and good companionship. Both men know what it feels like

The Anglo-Saxon heroes actively choose to suffer and face their wierd. However, their keeping of the allegiance enables them