When it comes to a hero, what are the most preferred qualities? Is there such a thing as a unique hero, or do their lives and personalities all overlap in some way? The definition of a hero varies from person to person, much like the fictional and nonfictional heroes in our world. A hero could be someone who surpasses great obstacles, or someone who simply follows a certain lifestyle. The fictional monster slayer Beowulf from the epic with his namesake and singer/songwriter Kanye West can provide a valid answer to the questions asked previously. They also give meaning to the wide range of definitions that apply when it comes to a hero. Beowulf and West show that the most beloved assets of a hero depends on the culture, that these culture’s
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Beowulf and Kanye West embody two very different cultures. Beowulf came from Anglo Saxon ideals, which include courage and strength. Beowulf fights many dangerous battles, one of which ended with him dying afterwards, allowing one to see the obvious courage he has. In addition, Beowulf’s strength is notable when the great sword he used is described as “so massive that no ordinary man could lift its…length” (line 533). American values alternatively fit Kanye West, with his humble beginnings and his resilience. He started in a poor community where crime was a large problem. Drug dealers were the only ‘successful’ role models he had. West had to deal with the stigma that he “wasn’t supposed to make it past twenty five” (We Don’t Care). Now, he is a very prosperous man in his career, with a net worth of one hundred and thirty million dollars. Kanye West also has great resilience. He got into a terrible car accident early in his rapping career, and had to get reconstructive jaw surgery (Through The Wire). In response to this tragic accident, Kanye West wrote the song “Through the Wire”, to not only ease his own emotional pain and put humor in place in it instead. Through these actions, he was able to bounce back from such a traumatic …show more content…
Both cultures care for a heroic figure that is persistent, as seen in Beowulf and Kanye West. An example of Beowulf his persistent quality was during an underwater battle with the monster that was Grendel’s mother. After a series of events, she manages to overpower Beowulf, “wildly tearing at him,” dagger in hand (lines 515-9). Prepared and armored well, Beowulf finds a way to fight the almost never-ending battle and wins, virtually unharmed. Kanye West also fought against monsters, but monsters much more metaphorical in nature. He has to deal with ‘monsters’ that come in the form of his insecurities and status symbols. West writes, “I’m so self-conscious, that’s why you always see me with at least one of my watches,” in his song ‘All Falls Down.’ He uses this example to explain how material items such as, like watches, are what get you real attention in society. After explaining this fact in the song, he steadily urges people to destroy this system. Using this song, and many others, he does his best to work against his insecurities and his material-hungry
Beowulf and Kanye West embody two very different cultures. Beowulf came from Anglo Saxon ideals, which include courage and strength. Beowulf fights many dangerous battles, one of which ended with him dying afterwards, allowing one to see the obvious courage he has. In addition, Beowulf’s strength is notable when the great sword he used is described as “so massive that no ordinary man could lift its…length” (line 533). American values alternatively fit Kanye West, with his humble beginnings and his resilience. He started in a poor community where crime was a large problem. Drug dealers were the only ‘successful’ role models he had. West had to deal with the stigma that he “wasn’t supposed to make it past twenty five” (We Don’t Care). Now, he is a very prosperous man in his career, with a net worth of one hundred and thirty million dollars. Kanye West also has great resilience. He got into a terrible car accident early in his rapping career, and had to get reconstructive jaw surgery (Through The Wire). In response to this tragic accident, Kanye West wrote the song “Through the Wire”, to not only ease his own emotional pain and put humor in place in it instead. Through these actions, he was able to bounce back from such a traumatic …show more content…
Both cultures care for a heroic figure that is persistent, as seen in Beowulf and Kanye West. An example of Beowulf his persistent quality was during an underwater battle with the monster that was Grendel’s mother. After a series of events, she manages to overpower Beowulf, “wildly tearing at him,” dagger in hand (lines 515-9). Prepared and armored well, Beowulf finds a way to fight the almost never-ending battle and wins, virtually unharmed. Kanye West also fought against monsters, but monsters much more metaphorical in nature. He has to deal with ‘monsters’ that come in the form of his insecurities and status symbols. West writes, “I’m so self-conscious, that’s why you always see me with at least one of my watches,” in his song ‘All Falls Down.’ He uses this example to explain how material items such as, like watches, are what get you real attention in society. After explaining this fact in the song, he steadily urges people to destroy this system. Using this song, and many others, he does his best to work against his insecurities and his material-hungry