Beowulf A Hero

Why do people create stories of heroes? People use heroes as a coping mechanism to deal with the current problems of society. The most beloved heroes often times are representative of the culture they are formed and molded into. Captain America was created during World War II to create patriotism and morale in people during wartime America. The X-Men were created during the Civil Rights movement and was a metaphor for the racial inequality and dichotomy between white and black people the time of it’s creation. One of the most early and iconic examples of an hero is Beowulf. Beowulf was created during the Anglo-Saxon period, a dark time of bloody conflicts and barbaric violence, it was survival of the fittest. A more modern example of a hero …show more content…
In Beowulf the protagonist of the story Beowulf has a respectable reputation among the Geats and their leader Higlac. When the poet introduces Beowulf he makes sure to include that he’s “Higlac’s follower and the strongest of the Geats” (110). It’s clear in these lines that Beowulf is no average man, he is regarded as the Geats’ strongest. To gain the honor of being the strongest is no easy feat, Beowulf more than likely had to prove and work to gain such an honorable title. He’s shown to be worthy of that title, as he uses his power to help people rather than use it for his own selfish gain. Daredevil is very similar in this regard as well. There are many upon many adaptations of this character, but in almost all aspects of his character his job as a lawyer plays a vital part in his character. Matt Murdock, the man behind the Daredevil mask, is a defense lawyer who defends the innocent. He is not a lawyer for the money, in fact in the Netflix show Matt Murdock turns down working at a law firm because he disagrees with the grey morals of the company, instead he creates an independent law firm with his friend and law partner, Foggy Nelson. Matt Murdock is a lawyer because he believes in the justice system. In a society where movements like Black Lives Matter exist there is a huge importance placed upon justice, and what better represents justice than a lawyer? Being a lawyer is highly respected in society due to the nature of the job. In the Anglo-Saxon and American society being in a position of high importance is greatly prized as that position is not acquired through doing the bare minimum. One has to prove themselves and work to be important to society like Beowulf and Daredevil are. This proves both of these characters to be worthy heroes for the society they are