Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Kristi Adley's Beowulf Question # 1
Beowulf was seen as a hero due to this protection of the Danes, what does he have in common with other heroes? Why is the idea of an almost "super hero" who steps in to protect others so attractive to people of so many cultures? Can you find any examples of such heroes in society today?
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2 comments:
Beowulf is a great example of a typical epic hero-strong, valiant, selfless, protective, and highly admired. Even though this hero was created hundreds of years ago, he has many similarities to fictional heroes that we hear and talk about today. Some fictional heroes that possess the same attributes as Beowulf are Superman, Batman, and Spiderman. The reason why the idea of a "superhero" is so attractive to many people today is because we like the concept of an immortal being who is capable of saving mankind and protecting the innocent. This admiration could be viewed as an undying hope we have that someday, someone of such characteristics could become a reality. Although there are no historical figures in our society who are comparable to Beowulf in both physical strength and quintessential qualities, there are people in our history who are heroic in their own way. Some such leaders are Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., veterans of past wars, the troops in Iraq, doctors, lawyers, friends, and family.
Beowulf has many qualities that a hero in today's society would have. He is strong, courageous, and overall heroic. I agree with what Allison said, I think that the idea of a "super hero" is appealing to people because people need to feel secure. It is important for them to know that there is someone looking out for them; someone who can protect them and keep them safe from harm. When people think of a super hero, they tend to think of someone who has super human abilities, much like Superman or Batman because these people have the physical ability to protect others from danger. On another side people could see the President as a hero; they look to him because he is in a position of power and because it is his job to find a solution to our problems within our country (currently the economic crisis). We put these people on a pedestal and expect them to help us, whether it be protecting us from a dragon or saving us from an economic crisis, we ask these things of them because we see them as heroes, people who are supposed to protect and aid us.
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