Heroes This quote comes from Tom McCall and Oregon 30th Governor from 1967-1975 where he states that “Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say: This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.” (McCall) Tom Mccall’s quote shares that all heroes care about their communities. In addition to caring, heroes also share other common traits that identify them as heroic. Characteristics such as strength, bravery and initiative allow someone typical to perform in a noble manner as heroes often do. An example of this is in the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf demonstrates initiative, bravery, and strength. As he fights to free his and other kingdom's people. Beowulf is an epic poem in the 6th century …show more content…
This shows bravery because he is fighting a creature who has sharp claws that have snatched up and killed 30 men with ease. One final trait that Beowulf shows would be strength. Beowulf demonstrates strength when in the epic poem it says '' That shepherd of evil, …show more content…
They display the characteristics of heroes through their term or throughout their lifetime. A good example of a hero would be Queen Elizabeth 1. She displayed the traits as a hero when she gave the “ Speech Before Her Troops''. This was a speech given to the troops as to rally them before a battle, the battle was over the trade with the americas. Where the Spanish sent the Spanish armada to invade england. Queen Elizabeth 1, showed bravery during the speech when she said “I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general” (“Speech Before Her Troops”). This shows bravery to show that even in her old state that she is willing to put down the crown to go fight for her kingdom and that she is willing to fight alongside the soldiers. She Displays Initiative by giving the speech to her troops before the battle to help them defeat the up and coming Spanish armada. This shows initiative because she wanted them to know that the queen has their back in the war and that they are not Pawns in a chess match between countries. As a middle aged woman it would be hard for her to demonstrate physical strength but she makes up for it in mental strength when she gives the speech in front of thousands of troops preparing them for a battle. This shows strength because it would take confidence and bravery to rally up troops to get them ready to fight and a
When asked to describe a hero, Mickey Mantle, famous baseball player for the New York Yankees, Said “Heroes are people who are all good with no bad in them” This quote shows that a hero is someone who always does the right thing and has good intentions. What a hero should look like now is someone who is loyal and brave. In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, Odysseus proves that he is a hero when he went to save his men on “Circe’s Island.” and defeated the cyclops in “The Cave of the Cyclops.”
A person who has the audacity and willingness to leave a positive effect on others is what it means to be a hero. To illustrate, in the book “Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad” by David
Nor will I.” Beowulf shows courage by explaining, if Grendel doesn't need a weapon and fears no man, Beowulf doesn't fear Grendel or need a weapon to fight him. Again, in lines (312-315), Beowulf shows courage when he holds Grendel and won't let go, giving him no escape when the author states “That mighty protector of men Meant to hold the monster till its life leaped out , knowing the fiend was no use To anyone in Denmark.” Another example of Beowulf’s courage is shown when he says “Great king. They have seen my strength for themselves, Have watched me rise from the darkness of war, Dripping with my enemies’
“I think that we all do heroic things, but hero is not a noun, it's a verb.” We often think of heroes as people, but heroes could be anyone, we just have to do something. Being a hero doesn't mean you have physical strength, but it means you have to be willing to put others before you. Heroes don't hesitate to take action, they overcome their fear and/or speak out for what they believe in, even if it means saving 1 or 2 lives. Heroes are people who aid others without any hesitation.
If weapons were useless he 'd use his hands, the strength in his fingers. So fame comes to the men who mean to win it and care about nothing else!” (505-509). Lastly, Beowulf demonstrates braveness when he encounters with the dragon. He doesn’t give up just like the rest of the superheroes, ““Then Beowulf rose, still brave, still strong, and with his shield at his side, and a mail shirt on his breast, strode calmly, confidently, toward the tower, under the rocky cliffs: no coward could have walked there!”
Additionally, Beowulf’s immense courage makes him fit for representing the ideal epic hero. Beowulf is brave and he does not avoid doing anything that might be dangerous or risky. Beowulf is even willing to give up his life, when he performs some of the courageous deeds. For example, when Beowulf plans to fight Grendel, he tells Hrothgar: “’the monster’s scorn of men / Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. / Nor will I’”
These characteristics include being a hero on a quest, being larger than life, being virtuous, and having extraordinary abilities like strength.
This is because without bravery and courage he wouldn’t have had the chance to show his strength nor give God glory for winning. Beowulf’s bravery is matched by none and that can be seen through all of the battles and monsters he fought during his life. This is the crux of what heroes are supposed to do, that
Heroes in our society are revered and respected as Joseph Campbell reminds us: “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself” (Joseph Campbell). Heroes exist in all societies and throughout history. Maybe they are not always on the news or from the movies, but their words and their actions never fail to resonate across their feats. A hero gives of himself and dedicates himself to causes which better others and their society unlike individuals who are self serving, greedy, and cruel.
“No weapons, therefore, for either this night: unarmed he shall face me of face me he dares” (683-685). This quote shows that he will face Grendel without weapons and just his hands. This makes him very courageous because he's sacrificing his life going against Grendel let alone without weapons things like this in what make people envy him. “If we want to figure out what a symbol might mean you have to use a variety of tools on it: questions, experience, preexisting knowledge” (Foster 107). When reading Beowulf you
Beowulf: Following The Heroic Code Beowulf is the oldest work of literature recorded in the English language. In fact, if you tried to read the poem in its original format you would probably have a difficult time since it was written in Old English. The epic poem has gone on to shape today’s literature and be a foundation for countless other works. Beowulf is a story of glory, heroic battles, vengeance, and fearless warriors. The poem’s central focus is the noble warrior Beowulf and his accomplishments throughout the epic.
To many, Beowulf could be described as the true definition of bravery. In actuality, I believe that this reckless decision-making is brash and dangerous. For instance, Beowulf had already decided to travel to and defend King Hrothgar’s land without even knowing the full extent of the situation. In addition, Beowulf was unknowingly blinded by a fit of rage upon the discovery that Grendel’s mother had retrieved her son’s head and quickly followed in pursuit. I feel as though actions such as these are the reasoning behind Beowulf’s death- that because he rushed into the fight with the dragon, he soon faced his untimely demise.
A hero does not tell us us to give to the poor when he gives little himself but rather a hero lives the words they speak. Heroes are not always the ones that win but rather they are the ones that lose sometimes but keep trying and fighting. Heroes are not just ordinary people instead they are ordinary people that make themselves extraordinary. Paul Revere is a hero because he risked his life for the colonists. Paul Revere was selflessness because he was more concerned for the others safety more than his own and an example is when he traveled the Midnight Ride.
Beowulf is an ancient Anglo-Saxon epic poem that tells the story of Beowulf, a great warrior from Geatland. The poem was written in Old English, the language spoken by the Anglo-Saxons of England. This now well known story was composed around the eighth and ninth century and is considered one of the greatest works of Anglo-Saxon literature. The poem is centered around three major battles fought by Beowulf and truly emphasizes his bravery, skill, and unwavering determination to protect his people, even at the cost of his own life. The Old English story Beowulf reflects amongst constant themes of courage and heroism through three notable battles.
Inspiring faith in her competence as a leader. “...in the midst and heat of battle...” She acknowledges the reality of the situation they are about to dive headfirst into. The war was not going to be any simple task. She understands that. “...to or die amongst you all...”, “...I myself will take up arms...”, she tells them.