Modern Heroes Vs Epic Heroes Essay

The idea of the “hero” has evolved in some ways, over 2,000 years. A hero is someone that acts with courage, and is admired for his or her noble actions. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Beowulf examples an epic hero. He slays a dragon, kills literal monsters with his bare hands, and gets glorified with treasures. Although this was back 1500 years ago. Today, heroes can fight intangible forces, and it doesn’t have to be with physical strength. The present day heroes are similar and contrasting to epic heroes. Modern heroes and epic heroes have similarities in that they both protect the innocent, but also have differences in strengths, and the pair is changed forever after the heroic quests. Modern heroes and epic heroes are similar that …show more content…
Beowulf examples an epic hero subsequently to fighting monsters. The fearless warrior wins, “...praise and honour”(L9-10), and the people, “...reward [the] brave man with treasures”(L339). Beowulf is then, “..famed amongst men”(L48-49), gaining a high social status, almost like a God. People of today are similar. For example, Malala, was named, “one of the 100 most influential people in the world”(Time). She doesn’t collect treasures, but people adore her. Epic’s pertain to modern heroes, in that they are praised and gain fame. However, in cases the fame brings bad attention. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. was shot, for helping people. Both modern and epic hero's lives change for the better or worse after their heroic act. Protecting the innocent and the changing of modern and epic heroes has stayed the same over the past centuries. One thing that has changed is the things they fight for. Back 2,000 years ago, the hero always saved the town from actual monsters. Modern heroes don’t have to be physically strong at all. Whether it’s a gimpy tech guy that finds the cure for cancer, or a man that takes down a shooter with strength, they are both heroes