Throughout time the definition of a “hero” has been shown to be interchangeable with everybody's views being comparative as well as contrasting that’s why we as people view the idea of heroism as dynamic for example, Thor Heyerdahl once said, “I was in uniform for four years, and I know that heroism doesn't occur from taking orders, but rather from people who through their own willpower and strength are willing to sacrifice their lives for an idea.” He describes how heroism becomes achieved with willpower, strength, and sacrifice. Another notable figure that has given his idea of heroism was Christopher Mcdougall he claimed, “Extreme heroism springs from something that no scientific theory can fully explain; it's an illogical impulse that flies
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Throughout the text of Beowulf heroic acts are showcased as choice driven by cultural values. Beowulf promotes the idea of choice when he hears of Hrothgar and the Danes being maliciously terrorized by the son of Cain Grendel. After hearing this news he makes the choice to sail to Denmark with his fellow Geats. The narrator states, “So Beowulf chose the mightiest men he could find, The bravest and best of the Geats, fourteen in all, and led them down to their boat (204-207).” this quote shows Beowulf’s drive to rid Herot of Grendel he becomes driven by the sense of the Anglo-Saxon cultural value of Destiny and lineage because Beowulf’s father, Ecgtheow, owes his life to Hygelac, so ultimately due to Beowulf’s lineage his destiny becomes to rid the Danes of Grendel. Furthermore later on in the poem Beowulf becomes presented with another challenge when Grendel’s mother comes to seek revenge on the Danes for her the death of her son. The narrator says, “The he saw the mighty water witch, and swung his sword, his ring marked blade straight at her head (1518-1520).” In this quote Beowulf has already made the choice to rid the land of the rest of Cain’s descendants, this quote serves as a representation of Beowulf choice to fight off Grendel’s mom the heroic value shown here is sacrifice, though it may be a christian value Beowulf is still driven by this value because he wants the fame he will receive from killing …show more content…
The heroic traits of being strong and physical are widely shown throughout the poem. In the beginning for example in the beginning of the poem the narrator says, “In his far-off home Beowulf, Higlac’s follower and the strongest of the Geats-greater and stronger than anyone in this world (194-196).” This shows the Pagan value of masculinity as well as the leadership quality of strength and physicality with Beowulf being pictured as the strongest of all the Geats. This ultimately showcases him as an Anglo-Saxon hero. In addition to this idea later on in the poem during Beowulf’s fight with Grendel the narrator says, The captain of evil discovered himself in a handgrip harder than anything he had ever encountered in any man on the face of the earth. Every bone in his body coiled and recoiled, but he could not escape. He was desperate to flee to his den and hide with the devil’s litter, for in all his days he had never been clamped or cornered like this (749-756).” This shows Beowulf being strong and physical because not only does he show traits of being physically strong, it also shows mental strength as well because he takes on a creature who can’t be killed with any weapon, Beowulf rips his arms from the socket and take him on which none of the Dane’s
Throughout the text of Beowulf heroic acts are showcased as choice driven by cultural values. Beowulf promotes the idea of choice when he hears of Hrothgar and the Danes being maliciously terrorized by the son of Cain Grendel. After hearing this news he makes the choice to sail to Denmark with his fellow Geats. The narrator states, “So Beowulf chose the mightiest men he could find, The bravest and best of the Geats, fourteen in all, and led them down to their boat (204-207).” this quote shows Beowulf’s drive to rid Herot of Grendel he becomes driven by the sense of the Anglo-Saxon cultural value of Destiny and lineage because Beowulf’s father, Ecgtheow, owes his life to Hygelac, so ultimately due to Beowulf’s lineage his destiny becomes to rid the Danes of Grendel. Furthermore later on in the poem Beowulf becomes presented with another challenge when Grendel’s mother comes to seek revenge on the Danes for her the death of her son. The narrator says, “The he saw the mighty water witch, and swung his sword, his ring marked blade straight at her head (1518-1520).” In this quote Beowulf has already made the choice to rid the land of the rest of Cain’s descendants, this quote serves as a representation of Beowulf choice to fight off Grendel’s mom the heroic value shown here is sacrifice, though it may be a christian value Beowulf is still driven by this value because he wants the fame he will receive from killing …show more content…
The heroic traits of being strong and physical are widely shown throughout the poem. In the beginning for example in the beginning of the poem the narrator says, “In his far-off home Beowulf, Higlac’s follower and the strongest of the Geats-greater and stronger than anyone in this world (194-196).” This shows the Pagan value of masculinity as well as the leadership quality of strength and physicality with Beowulf being pictured as the strongest of all the Geats. This ultimately showcases him as an Anglo-Saxon hero. In addition to this idea later on in the poem during Beowulf’s fight with Grendel the narrator says, The captain of evil discovered himself in a handgrip harder than anything he had ever encountered in any man on the face of the earth. Every bone in his body coiled and recoiled, but he could not escape. He was desperate to flee to his den and hide with the devil’s litter, for in all his days he had never been clamped or cornered like this (749-756).” This shows Beowulf being strong and physical because not only does he show traits of being physically strong, it also shows mental strength as well because he takes on a creature who can’t be killed with any weapon, Beowulf rips his arms from the socket and take him on which none of the Dane’s