If you were asked to describe a hero, would you say your mother, a surgeon who performed a miraculous surgery? Or would you say a strong and courageous male who roams the streets seeking help from citizens? The portrayal of a hero has changed throughout history. However, their characteristics, personalities, and physical abilities differ greatly from epic heroes to modern-day heroes. Most people in the 21st century would refer to epic heroes as "braggarts" because they are known to always brag about their adventures, their treasures, or their battles. Now heroes are more like ordinary people. A firefighter is a modern hero and may reside in the house next to you. Modern heroes do not seek to accomplish great feats. Their actions are often performed spontaneously, as epic heroes search for people or villages in danger. Even epic heroes work for a reward, while most modern heroes do not. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In most cases, heroes exemplify not only what society considers extraordinary and impossible feats, but also the ideals of that society. Throughout history, the definition of a hero has changed along with humanity's values, morals and challenges. Currently, Google defines a hero as "a person admired for his or her courage, exceptional achievement, or nobleness." In the 8th century, a hero was defined by his courage, constancy, and self-sacrifice. The epic poem "Beowulf", one of the first works of English literature, tells the adventures of Beowulf, the perfect example of an Anglo-Saxon epic hero. The poem explores Beowulf's heroism in three progressively difficult feuds against Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a dragon. With each victory, Beowulf further confirms his place as a hero in the hearts and minds of both the Geats and the Danes. Being an epic hero contrasts with modern heroes due to social differences. At that time Beowulf lived when society's problems were not terrorism, disease or injustice. People were worried about rival armies and great monsters. In defining a hero, there are three fulfillments to evaluate. The person must overcome extremely difficult obstacles, show great courage, empower and inspire people, and represent the traits of a hero. Throughout the poem, Beowulf was largely encouraged by his desire for honor and fame undeniably, but this pursuit of fame was not of personal interests and material wealth. Instead, it was earned by fighting for his people or protecting others, during which he demonstrated his strength and courage. Fame is very important for a warrior like Beowulf to assert himself, but Beowulf never lets fame develop too much into self-centeredness and overconfidence, because fame means responsibility and greatness, pride is purely a desire to be great regardless of his harmful costs. In other words, generosity (distributing wealth to his followers and the people) and community interests, rather than greed for personal wealth and selfishness, are Beowulf's way and purpose when pursuing his honor. When the dragon takes revenge by ravaging the countryside at night, burning the land and buildings, including Beowulf's mead hall, Beowulf immediately realizes the threat he poses to his kingdom and his people. Therefore, he decided to fight the dragon with 11 Geatish warriors, not only out of pride, but also because of the king's heavy responsibility to protect his people from harm as far as possible while he himself took the riskof death. Ten of the eleven warriors, however, betray Beowulf (only Wiglaf stayed and helped), which serves as an obstacle to Beowulf and Wiglaf's honorable actions and morals. As a result, Beowulf and Wiglaf gained fame through their valiant battle while the ten warriors brought eternal shame. The meaning of Beowulf's life was further realized when his fighting became a representation of the general good and justice: his attempts to minimize violence in his violent social environment were distinctive. Although often considered violent and bloody in combat, Beowulf is certainly different from the warmongering conqueror Scyld, whose funeral is depicted at the beginning of the epic. Instead of gaining fame by conquering neighboring peoples like most other kings of the time, Beowulf did not seek conflict. Beowulf was indeed a warrior eager for fame, but he is praised not for his conquests but for his courage, kindness, meekness, and benevolence, although the peace he tries so hard to maintain is ultimately vulnerable and not lasting. In the poem, the three main violent fights were between monsters and Beowulf, and those fights are the epitome of the great struggle between good and evil, between human and inhuman. The first clash takes place between Grendel, destined to be evil because his jealousy of humans being able to enjoy life pushes him to commit evil acts, and Beowulf, the embodiment of all possible heroic virtues. Grendel is condemned to darkness and misery as he is depicted as the offspring of Cain. He has no desire to end the feud, nor to pay compensation to those he kills or to make peace with their families. Beowulf therefore, by defeating Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon, became a representation of the belief that good will ultimately defeat evil. (probable influence of the author's Christian worldview). Furthermore, Beowulf was presented as the protector of humanity. He is against violence between human beings or, more precisely, against the Northern European culture in which he lived, made up of continuous violence and revenge between peoples. As he recalls his life, Beowulf is proud to have kept the peace for fifty years: "Fifty winters have I led my people, no king of the people... dared to meet me with friends of war... nor sought strife invented... [no] murders" nurse against my relatives."Beowulf achieved self-realization through continuous struggles against obstacles throughout his life, regardless of the destined end he feared death and this is one of the signs of the. to be a hero. He knew that death may be around the corner with every step he takes, but he always dives headlong into challenges. Beowulf mentions several times throughout the epic that fate supports him because of his courage he can defeat Grendel, as he is told, but he does not let fear stop him because he himself would determine his actions, and he believed in his strength, as was demonstrated in his subsequent victories Before embarking on the final march towards the dragon, sitting on the top of the cliff, already predicts imminent death. He is sad at heart, “restless but ready, he feels his own death,” while at the same time he feels that his “spirit would be freed from his body.” Despite this self-awareness, he still pursues his purpose, went to defeat the dragon and sustained mortal wounds. He viewed personal endurance as a bridge to transcending the limitations of life, and regarded the destruction of personal tragedy in exchange for people's happiness as a realization of personal worth. While he went through a series of battles and finally died, his fight against destiny continues and ferocious, not giving up any chance of..