If you were asked to describe a hero, would you say your mother, a surgeon who performed a miracle operation? Or would you say a strong and courageous man who prowls the streets seeking help from citizens? The representation of a hero has changed throughout history. However, their characteristics, personality, and physical abilities differ greatly from epic heroes to modern-day heroes. Most people in the 21st century would refer to epic heroes as "braggarts", as they are known for always boasting about their adventures, treasures, or battles. Now heroes are more like ordinary people. A firefighter is a modern-day hero and could live in the house next door to you. Modern heroes do not seek to accomplish great deeds. Their actions are often performed spontaneously, as epic heroes search for people or villages in distress. Epic heroes also work for reward, unlike most modern day heroes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay In most cases, heroes exemplify not only what society considers to be remarkable and impossible feats, but also the ideals of that society. Throughout history, the definition of a hero has changed along with the values, morals, and challenges of humanity. Currently, Google defines a hero as “a person admired for courage, exceptional achievements, or nobility.” In the 8th century, a hero was defined by his courage, his constancy and his self-sacrifice. The epic poem “Beowulf,” one of the earliest works of English literature, recounts the adventures of Beowulf, the perfect example of an Anglo-Saxon epic hero. The poem explores Beowulf's heroism in three increasingly difficult feuds against Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a dragon. With each victory, Beowulf further confirms his place as a hero in the hearts and minds of the Geats and the Danes. Being an epic hero contrasts with modern heroes due to social differences. At this time, Beowulf lived in a time where the problems in society were not terrorism, disease, or injustice. People worried about rival armies and big monsters. To define a hero, there are three achievements to evaluate. The person must overcome extremely difficult obstacles, demonstrate great courage, empower and inspire people, and embody the traits of a hero. Throughout the poem, Beowulf has been largely encouraged by his desire for undeniable honor and glory, but this pursuit of glory has not been about personal interests and material wealth. Instead, he earned it by fighting for his people or protecting others, a process during which he demonstrated his strength and courage. Fame is the most important thing for a warrior like Beowulf to establish himself, but Beowulf never lets fame turn into self-centeredness and overconfidence, because fame means responsibility and greatness, pride is purely a desire to 'to be great, whatever its harmful costs. In other words, generosity (distributing wealth to his followers and people) and the interests of the community, rather than greed for personal wealth and selfishness, are Beowulf's path and goal when he pursues his honor. When the dragon took revenge by ravaging the countryside at night, burning the lands and buildings, including Beowulf's own hall, Beowulf immediately realized the threat he posed to his kingdom and his people. Therefore, he decidedto fight the dragon with 11 Geatish warriors, not only out of pride, but also out of the king's heavy responsibility to protect his people from harm as much as possible while he himself took the risk of death. Ten of the eleven warriors, however, betray Beowulf (only Wiglaf stayed and helped), which serves as a foil to the honorable deeds and morals of Beowulf and Wiglaf. As a result, Beowulf and Wiglaf gained fame through their valiant fight while the ten warriors brought eternal shame. The meaning of Beowulf's life was further realized as his struggles became a representation of the general good and justice – his attempts to minimize violence in his violent social environment were distinctive. Although often seen as violent and bloody in battle, Beowulf is certainly different from the warmongering conqueror Scyld, whose funeral is depicted at the beginning of the epic. Instead of becoming famous by conquering neighboring peoples like most other kings of the time, Beowulf did not seek conflict. Beowulf was indeed a warrior hungry for glory, but he is praised not for his conquests but for his courage, kindness, gentleness, and courtesy, although the peace he strives to maintain is ultimately vulnerable and short-term. In the poem, the three main violent fights were between monsters and Beowulf, and these fights are examples of the great struggle between good and evil, the human and the inhuman. The first fight takes place between Grendel, destined to be evil because his jealousy for the fact that human beings can enjoy life pushes him to commit evil acts, and Beowulf, the incarnation of all possible heroic virtues. Grendel is condemned to darkness and misery because he is represented as the offspring of Cain. He has no desire to end the feud, nor to pay compensation to those he kills, nor to make peace with their families. Beowulf thus, by defeating Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon, became a representation of the belief that good will ultimately overcome evil. (which is probably the influence of the author's Christian worldview). Additionally, Beowulf was presented as the protector of humanity. He is against violence between humans, or more precisely against the northern European culture in which he lived, made of continuous violence and revenge between people. As he recalls his life, Beowulf is proud of having kept the peace for fifty years: "I have guided my people for fifty winters, no popular king...dared to meet me with war friends... nor sought artificial conflicts… [any] murderers. "Beowulf achieved self-realization through continuous struggles with obstacles throughout his life, regardless of the ending destined for him. He did not fear death and is one of the signs of the hero He knew that death could be near at every step, but he always threw himself headfirst into the challenges Beowulf mentions several times in the epic that destiny accompanies him thanks to his courage Nobody. cannot defeat Grendel, as he is told, but he does not let any fear stop him because he would determine his own action and he believed in his power, which was also proven in his subsequent victories. launching into the final march towards the dragon, sitting on the top of the cliff, he already foresees imminent death. He has a sad heart, "unsteady but ready, feeling his own death", while at the same time feeling his "spirit. would free himself from his body.” Despite this self-awareness, he still pursues his own goal, goes to defeat the dragon and suffers fatal injuries. He saw personal resistance as a bridge to transcend the.