Beowulf Vs. Today’s Heroes Essay Example

compared to modern-day heroes”, n.d.).

Beowulf lives by moral ethics in the way he spares Grendel’s mother after his first battle. He understands his duty is to protect people from attacks by the supernatural monsters. Since Grendel’s mother has not been launching attacks against humanity, Beowulf decides to spare her. However, after Grendel’s mom discovers that he is dead, she goes ahead to get revenge. She kills Hrothgar’s most loyal soldier violently, and Beowulf, out of a natural intuition to protect humanity he engages in a fight with her which proceeds to her lair where Beowulf finally wins. Typically, modern-day soldiers do not launch attacks on innocent people; they document evidence first which merits them to kill. When Hrothgar rewards Grendel for his bravery, he demonstrates his generosity by sharing the fortune with his people. Same with modern-day troops, they offer their lives for the security of their populations. Beowulf’s values and attributes still live on today among soldiers (Beowulf compared to modern-day heroes”, n.d.).

When Beowulf becomes aware of King Hrothgar’s troubles in the great hall of Heorot, he decides to help him out of the situation. He feels that it is his responsibility to assist those who can not stand on their own. He sets out on a journey to Heorot to save the king’s soldiers from Grendel. Modern American troops are working in different parts of the world to ensure peace and order in politically unstable countries. They leave their homeland and head to far-flung regions of the world where hostility is the order of the day just to ensure humanity is safe from the insecurity monster. They do it out of love, compassion

and sense of responsibility. When a slave steals a dragon’s cup of gold, the dragon starts setting ablaze everything in sight.

Beowulf feels the need to protect his people from the fierce dragon, thereby getting into a violent fight with it. Eventually, with the help of his loyal soldier, they sever the dragon’s body, but Beowulf succumbs to mortal wounds. He dies for his kinsmen because he understands it is the purpose of his life. Modern-day soldiers are shelled every day in societies mired in conflict. Just like Beowulf fights for those who can not stand out, combat troops stand squarely by people whose voices and freedom are stifled by their monster-like leaders who do not want to relinquish power. They are cracking down on insecurity each and every day of their lives. They directly follow in Beowulf’s footsteps (Beowulf compared to modern-day heroes”, n.d.).

We also see an echo of Beowulf’s life in today’s heroes through the special treatment they are accorded by the society. After Beowulf has defeated both Grendel and his mother, he is awarded many gifts, in conjunction with the sword Naegling, the king’s family’s heirloom. Later on, when he arrives back home, he is made the king owing to his bravery. Likewise, today’s soldiers are ever respected for their noble task of ensuring that peace prevails. They are paid to join troops; they enter college at no cost including their families and secure good jobs when they are of age. When a soldier succumbs to injuries in a battle, their families receive compensation from the government. Beowulf’s treatment by his contemporary society is similar to the treatment received by today’s soldiers. In

both cases, the heroes are accorded great treatment (“Beowulf compared to modern-day heroes”, n.d.).

Despite the many similarities the Anglo-Saxon hero and today’s heroes share, there are some instances in which they greatly contrast. For example, today pride and arrogance are usually disapproved, unlike the case in Beowulf’s time when fame was the only permanent thing. Today’s fighters are humble to the ground and never display pride in public. They live by a common creed that they should employ teamwork, in contrast to Beowulf’s case where he orders his fellow soldiers stay at the rim of the lake as he dives undersea to fight Grendel’s mother alone (Beowulf vs Modern Hero”, n.d.).

Another instance of contrast is the fact that technology has advanced in today’s combats. Beowulf uses his raw strength whereas modern-day fighters use explosives, rifles and intelligence services. Present-day troops fight criminals who are mortal whereas Beowulf uses superhuman strength to fight supernatural monsters and demons (“Beowulf vs Modern Day Hero”, n.d.).

Beowulf’s epic story being a presentation that was transcribed, it can be considered art, thus qualifying to be compared with today’s movies, for instance, Superman. They both fight for humanity. Superman fights criminals on streets just like Beowulf fights monsters. Their common purpose is security. However, Superman is an immortal and indestructible creature from planet Krypton, unlike Beowulf, who is a mortal man born and raised on earth. They both live, however in different times in history, by a common creed of ensuring peace for their people which they back with deeds of bravery and acts of valor (“Beowulf vs Modern Day Heroes”, n.d.).

It goes without a saying that Beowulf’s legacy still lives on

among today’s heroes. Soldiers are sacrificing their lives for the cause of peace and security, thereby following in Beowulf’s footsteps. Modern art, as well, still employs the concept of a one-man army, like in the movie Superman, who fights his foes solely. Personally, I love watching the classic Superman. It is so engaging and has that grip on your attention that owes to its timeless value. Having stayed in the film industry for decades, my interest in it never flags. It employs the finest qualities of art around. One would confuse it with a reincarnation of Beowulf.

References

1. Beowulf vs Modern Heroes. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://marahhedges.weebly.com/beowulf-vs-modern-heroes.html
2. Beowulf vs Modern Hero. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/25797.html