Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Oprah Winfrey

Improved Essays
To be a hero, supernatural powers are not required. Television falsifies unrealistic power and strength. A human being or even an animal can be a hero. If someone were to do a good deed, that significant person would be the hero of the day towards the help. For example, if a woman donates some food, a blanket, and new clothing along with a pair of sneakers to a homeless man, she would be the hero in the man 's eyes. The woman has surely saved him and given him relief from his suffering. With this definition of a hero, a willing heart and mind, Beowulf and Oprah Winfrey fit right in. Although they are from different times and places, they both have sacrificed for others, which has led them to be the people they are. In the epic of Beowulf, he was a hero because he saved many people 's lives from not one, but …show more content…
The definition we use for heroism is a person who, in the face of danger, has bravery or strength, often sacrificing his or her concerns for some greater good. This definition brings upon Beowulf and Oprah, they both put others before them. Oprah donating tons of money to charities and even inventing her own charities just because she wants to is so inspiring. She is a hero to all of the children and adults involve in these organizations. Oprah 's childhood was a challenge, but it made her to the beautiful person she is today. She stated to herself every day "her life won 't be like this," Oprah knew that her life was not for arrogance it was a place knowing it would be different from before. ("Chicago Sun Times") Though Oprah was a hero, Beowulf is a hero because he saved Hrothgar 's kingdom from Grendel and his mother along with a dragon 50 years later. He was very strong, brave, and intelligent. Beowulf to be a warrior in battle, the sword that he used to kill the dragon was so heavy that nobody could not pick it up. It was destiny or a move of invocation. Oprah and Beowulf are great examples of

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    The epic story of Beowulf portrays a young man determined to find his place in the Anglo-Saxon society as a hero, encouraged upon him from his youth, Beowulf was enthralled, one can even say he was obsessed, with the idea of fame and accomplishment. His desire for both inspired him at the moment ,and throughout the remainder of his life as a leader amongst leaders and a true hero in the complete sense of the term. Beowulf is different than most heroes in…

    • 1443 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Honor In Beowulf

    • 884 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Heroism and Honor saves Humanity A hero, in modern day terms is “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities”, according to dictionary.com. There are many heroes in this world that people admire daily; everybody has a hero, it just depends on what you consider to be hero material. There were heroes centuries ago that were respected for the same qualities as today’s heroes are. The term hero has been established throughout many time periods and according to the distinctive characteristics that the two heroes spoken about in this paper possess, this is evident. Beowulf and Marine Corporal William “Kyle” Carpenter both have several characteristics, which will be compared and contrasted, that coordinate…

    • 884 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Heroes In Beowulf

    • 397 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf is a story about heroes. Traditionally, heroes are people who sacrifice for others when needed; they do as much as they can even when not asked. Heroes are found through all walks of nature, they could be a normal pedestrian or the local fireman. In the story Beowulf heroes are defined as men who are loyal, proud and accept their fate.…

    • 397 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Although, people think of heroes as a fictional figure that saves the day when evil is near, heroes are as real as the sky is blue. Beowulf may be an epic hero now, but at a point in time, Beowulf was a serious hero that saved lives, much like Rick Rescorla. Rescorla saved 2,700 lives with others were paralyzed with fear on 9/11, he rushed people to safety. They both fought for their people, saved those who were in distress, and stood for those who could not stand for themselves.…

    • 543 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    A hero can be the good guy in a movie, the guy who gave the homeless a plate of food, or the guy who stood up for hundreds of people. The world is surrounded by millions of brave people. Anybody can be a hero, all it takes is a courageous individual. It takes someone who is willing to do everything in their ability to take a heroic action. Beowulf and Cesar Chavez are both examples of heroes.…

    • 426 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Typically, when one hears the word “hero,” the brain automatically pictures a character flying through the air saving the day with his super power. On the contrary, the two do not have to be related at all. Beowulf is viewed as a stereotypical hero- titanic, mighty, and powerful. However Victoria Soto simply earned her title of “hero” by putting children’s lives before hers. Although Beowulf and Victoria Soto presented bravery and courage like any hero, the impression they make and the preparation they put in are distinctive.…

    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles” (Christopher Reeve) Heroes don’t need to have superpowers like the ones you see in comics, heroes are ordinary people and they are all around you wherever you go. A hero shows signs of courage, fairness, and trustworthiness Heroes are courageous and lack fear. This shows that heroes aren’t afraid of any obstacles that may face them whether it is big or small. A good example of this is in the Odyssey, when Odysseus thrusted the stake into the big and bad Cyclops to save him and his men.…

    • 365 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Beowulf Hero Quotes

    • 627 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Prompt one I believe that Beowulf Is a hero because unlike cowards he stands up for himself as well as others. Beowulf shows that he upholds about 5 ethical codes varying from bravery to strength, all because of his heroic actions. Beowulf is called on in a town to come and save everyone from Grendel and the dragon.…

    • 627 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf vs. Miriam In a study of 4,000 adults, 55% helped others in an emergency, 8% stopped an injustice, and 5% sacrificed their life for a stranger (National Geographic). This proves anyone can be a hero, but one aspect of a hero is always shown; a hero is someone who puts the well being of others above their own. Although there are heroes in everyday life, they are also found in stories that are exaggerated over the years, such as Beowulf, or in modern stories like A Thousand Splendid Suns, in which they are portrayed more realistically. In many cases, the hero follows a certain model of behavior that characterizes the type of hero they will remain throughout their story.…

    • 1008 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Of the many heroes in the Anglo-Saxon and medieval literature, Beowulf is a prime example of a hero. In the Beowulf poem written by the Beowulf poet, and in Robert Zemeckis’ film, Beowulf. Beowulf selflessly sacrifices his own life in the hopes of saving the lives of the Danes, who belonged to a whole different clan than his own. Beowulf is willing to give his own life for the betterment of another society, and with this he chivalrously saves many people. Even though Beowulf is portrayed as an ideal hero in the poem, and in the movie the audience is introduced to his flaws, they are both similar in their theme of heroism.…

    • 1478 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf wanted fame and fortune for his deeds. The definition of a hero is someone who does an honorable deed for someone without wanting a reward for their actions. During the story Beowulf heard about a monster terrorizing a King and his men, Beowulf then traveled to the land of the King to defeat this monster. After defeating the monster and his mother Beowulf was rewarded with honors…

    • 716 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf Characteristics

    • 559 Words
    • 3 Pages

    A hero is a person we look up to they are above us and they have traits we admire and wish to copy. Beowulf is the perfect personification of the Anglo Saxon epic hero he is much more than a mere mortal he has superior strength, intelligence, courage, and morals. He uses all of these traits on his quests in order to grow fame and glory even at the risk of his life. Beowulf believes in fate and that god had already decided the outcome of the battles this makes it seem as if god himself chose Beowulf and protects him.…

    • 559 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In Beowulf, Beowulf, the main character, is regarded as a hero. He is known throughout the Land of the Danes and the Land of the Geats as fearless and courageous when he comes to their aid to help slay Grendel, Grendel’s mom, and a Dragon. Beowulf’s heroism is exemplified in two phases: the first is youthful heroism and the second is mature heroism, once he is crowned King. Throughout his life, Beowulf helped not only his own people, but also those in other lands. People look up to him for his great strength and the ability to never back down from a challenge, even when he knows fate might bring him to his death.…

    • 1127 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf, the hard headed, gung-ho warrior, proves himself worthy in the face of any impossibility. Success, in the face of death, presents a change in character of anyone. In the case of Beowulf, he comes out as a much wiser, more mature fighter and warrior. His success helps him to develop more improved tricks and techniques to his fighting and leading style. These techniques create followers who build a legacy out of Beowulf.…

    • 1270 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Shannon L. Alder once said, “Heroes are not made. They are born out of circumstances and rise to the occasion when their spirit can no longer coexist with the hypocrisy injustice to others.” However not everyone can be a hero. Heroes need the courage and strength to persevere through difficult situations. Heroes are selfless and may not always be brawny figures, but average audacious individuals.…

    • 809 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays