Hero (n): a person admired for great or courageous deeds or fine qualities (Merriam-Webster.com). As I deciphered the true meaning of heroism for a few minutes, something stopped me. The general consensus is that most readers would consider Beowulf to be more heroic. And, following the model of literature, cinema and storytelling, Beowulf is more heroic. But really, it depends on the context in which you look at it. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayIf we were to read the two stories from the Anglo-Saxon era, which took place from 410 to 1066 AD, we We could all agree. Beowulf is the real hero. He fought two monsters and a dragon among other beasts. When he fought Grendel, he proclaimed: "I will not use an edge to cut him down, however easily I could... He has no idea of ​​the arts of war, of the shield or of swordplay , although he has one. possess wild strength” (Greenblatt, 55). He recognizes Grendel's sheer strength and declares that he will fight him unarmed because it is the right thing to do. He wants to be fair and square. A cowardly or even average person would use any advantage to defeat the monster, but Beowulf has a true inner courage, incomparable to anyone in existence. He won battles that no one else could. Gawain had a battle to fight. He only volunteered because no one other than his king would, and he kept the "magic belt" instead of showing up as he promised (giving the Green Knight a good whack in neck). He was afraid, where Beowulf was not. Beowulf fought with his bare hands when he didn't even have to. So, physically or externally, Beowulf was the true hero. At the same time, the two stories give a different answer, if we look at them from the point of view of a person living in the 21st century. The real hero comes from within today. For example, someone who can lift three cars has less place in society than someone who can travel to third world countries and give food and shelter to those who are down on their luck. Gawain has more inner strength than Beowulf. For example, in the days before meeting the Green Knight, he is tested by temptations. One of these temptations is sex, and yet, despite the Green Knight's wife's strong sex appeal, he pushes her away in the kindest way possible. The Green Knight was testing Gawain until he struck him with the axe. Gawain, fearful, kept the belt that the Green Knight's wife had given him because he thought its magical powers would save him. So he broke his promise. He was supposed to carry his neck, without shield, without protection. He lost his “faith” or his word while wearing this belt. When he discovered that the Green Knight was testing him in his ability to keep his word, he was furious. He admitted, “Fear of the mortal blow and cowardly doubts made me give in to greed, and in doing so I forgot the freedom and fidelity that every knight knows how to follow” (Greenblatt, 235). After this, the Green Knight forgives him because, like the readers, he sees Gawain's strength in admitting his fall and ultimately being honest and regretful. Beowulf is the opposite. He is selfish and arrogant. Yes, he is very strong, but it is never enough. He always wants more. He always wants glory, like when he left his men behind to face the dragon, alone, despite his great age. Beowulf's fault led him to death, while the humility of.