Essay on Beowulf (Coursework Sample)

Essay on Beowulf
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A classic hero is one who exhibits the bravery, strength, a code of ethics, and above all, one who opposes the evil. The above defining characteristics for a classic hero applied during the reign of Beowulf and the same can still be used in defining a modern-day hero. With the evolution of information communication technology and some entertainment avenues such as magazines and the television, modern society has placed a lot of value on physical attractiveness as a defining factor for modern day hero. A precise example of such a modern-day hero that can be compared to Beowulf is Batman. Furthermore, a virtue of humility has now become a much-acclaimed quality whereas self-confidence was a treasured attribute in the days of Beowulf. Despite such differences, a precise comparison and contrast between a modern hero and an Anglo-Saxon hero can be achieved through a comparison between Batman and Beowulf.
It is plausible that both Batman and Beowulf harbor the heroic character of strength. Prior to the appearance of the dragon, Beowulf demonstrates remarkable bravery during his defeat of Grendel’s mother. While seeking to revenge the death of her son and get back the claw, the mother launches an attack on Heorot and catches everyone by surprise. However, Beowulf traces her hideout in a dark, swampy area where he defeats her with the aid of a magic sword. He returns to the village with her head as well as the sword’s kilt and displays them as trophies (Beowulf 2014). Batman also exhibits the heroic trait of strength. He solely repels gangs of criminals on very many instances as demonstrated in the movie “Batman,” where he describes not only the physical strength, but also high levels of endurance and perseverance. Thus, it is clear that Batman harbors the heroic strength like that possessed by Beowulf.Both Beowulf and Batman demonstrate strong codes of ethics in their heroic endeavors. They share a common code that condemns murder (Scully 2014). It is plausible that Batman prefers to set criminals free after every fight rather than killing them. It is clear that the criminals do not pose any immediate threat to Batman’s life, and this explains his resolve to set them free. Beowulf demonstrates a similar code of ethics during his argument with Unferth. He condemns Unferth for taking innocent souls, and even rebukes him that he will suffer hell’s fires. Thus, it is velar that both Beowulf and Batman abhor shedding of innocent blood, and they only kill when it is necessary (Gwara 2008).
Another heroic character that defines Beowulf and Batman is their determination to fight evil. After the king’s demise, Beowulf assumes leadership and rules successfully for the first fifty years. His biggest threat to the kingdom arises during his prime years at the throne when a menacing monster emerges and threatens the country. Being the warrior that he has always been, Beowulf insists son is challenging the dragon despite the many objections raised by his close associates and fellow compatriots. After all, “a man famed for courage should meet the end of his fated life.” (Beowulf 2014). He assembles a team of eleven warriors and seeks out the dragon’s barrow. However, his trusted sword turns out to be no match to the monster. When the battle becomes severe, some of the warriors flee and leave Beowulf and a few of the warriors at the mercy of the menacing dragon. Beowulf manages to kill the monster, but he is mortally wounded in the encounter. It is clear that Beowulf has fought and won in many battles except this one. On the o...