BEOWULF ESSAY

The Good Guys

          Hundreds of comic books and movies of superheroes swarm the social world today, but few people look past the flashy costumes and powers to analyze the values that classify them as heroes.  Whereas our social values today reflect upon good morals, displays of bravery, and the perseverance to do what is right, these customs were very different in the ancient, Danish realm of Beowulf.  Although the bravery factor still served as a sine qua non for heroism back in those times as it does today, Beowulf is idolized as the ancient, ideal hero much as Superman epitomizes the modern hero.
          Before gathering the similarities between the two heroes, one must look at their differences, and a great difference between Beowulf and Superman is their characterization within their stories.  In order to determine what makes a man heroic, one must first learn what that individual has done in the past that makes him heroic.  In Beowulf's case, he proved to the Danish kingdom that he was a worthy hero by telling them of his conquests and adventures laying waste to giants and sea-monsters.  The utilization of indirect characterization deemed him a candidate to slay Grendel and bring peace to Heorot.  On the other hand, Superman was first found through comic books, where his strength and morals were directly characterized by a creative writer.  
          Although the two heroes were founded in very different times by very different cultures, various literary elements unite the two.  For example, the utilization of the Biblical allusion supports both characters' symbolization as a hero for their times.  In Beowulf's time, the cultures that surrounded him were transitioning from their pagan lifestyles to the path of Christianity, which was seen throughout his story as his people prayed to God many times for safety and success.  Also, the monster, Grendel, was said to have been the descendant of Cain, a character from a well-known parable in the Bible.  The high Biblical value of those times reflected upon Beowulf as an accepted hero among his people, and the same could be said for Clark Kent in today's world, otherwise known as Superman.  Bearing the large, block letter "S" on his chest, Superman resembles a "Savior" much as Jesus Christ resembled a savior.  Also, the letter "S" on Superman's home planet derives from the symbol of "Hope," much as Jesus Christ symbolized hope for his people in the Bible.  Although the stories of Superman do not specifically allude to the Christian religion as Beowulf's did, the references could still be found with some investigation.
          The most common element found within most heroes of every culture is the epic flaw.  An epic flaw is the fatal, single weakness that usually ends in the fatality of a hero, and both Beowulf and Superman have one.  Although humility was not the most valuable trait in Beowulf's Geatish kingdom, the polar opposite of arrogance was his ultimate downfall.  Beowulf was seen bragging once of his accomplishments to Heorot and reaping reward from it, but before his battle with the dragon, he decided to brag once again.  Claiming that if a sword and shield were not necessary to face the dragon, he would have cast them aside and fought bare-handed as was his way with Grendel.  Sadly, his arrogance finally caught up to him as he was killed in his final battle.  Arrogance to Beowulf was like kryptonite to Superman.
          The  values and norms of society will always change the ways in which we see our heroes, but all in all, heroism stays the same.  Whether it be Beowulf or Superman or the policeman down the street, heroes will always fight fearlessly for righteousness.  Changes in society will constantly shape our perceptions of right and wrong, but one thing will always remain certain.  Heroes will always be the "good guys."