Beowulf as an Ideal Germanic Hero - Essay Example

Beowulf   Many critics suggest that Beowulf is an ideal Germanic hero. The Beowulf text tells of the heroic endeavors and exploits of this Scandinavian Geatish young man who is adored by many (Heaney 3). His epic fights against the fire breathing monster Grendel earn him the reputation of being the most fearless and courageous young men of his time. The text paints Beowulf as the ideal hero, and his actions reflect the best values expected of a character of his stature and fame. Strength, courtesy, courage, pride and loyalty are values exuded by Beowulf as he goes about his duties to protect his people from evil forces. His heroism is not only apparent in his youth, when he grows older he becomes the leader of his people. He continues showing a heroic character by practicing a kind of leadership that endears him to all (Ringler 4). He proves to be wise enough and worthy of the kingly title the people have bestowed on him. He performs ne last heroic act in his old age by killing the dragon monster that threatened to cause havoc among his people. Although he is himself killed by the dragon’s venom after it bites his neck, his selflessness just shows the kind of fearless and heroic man that had been all his life. Beowulf is one person who can be relied upon any time to offer his assistance. He doe not fear plunging into the world of the unknown to fight for a worthy or just cause. When he makes a promise to himself and to other people, he is honorable enough to fulfill his word. During battle, Beowulf is never afraid to show his valor, and this sets him aside as a fearless and heroic person. He does everything that he sets himself to do wholeheartedly, no matter how risky what he is doing might be. His pride does not come as a result of wanting to show off and claim fame; he does it out of selflessness, considerations and a deep sense of honor. He shows non-physical heroism in his leadership style which makes people him love and respect him in equal measure. His undivided loyalty to his king and people are also characteristic of Beowulf’s indescribable greatness, which is more than can be said of most other people considered to be noble. Beowulf is the noblest and most heroic of them all. Beowulf is a great man, but he also has his own flaws. However, I think that his greatest strength is also his greatest undoing: he loves others more than he does himself. This selflessness, though good, is what leads to his violent demise in the end. Adjectives that Best Describe Beowulf Good, selfless, courageous, brave, determined, proud, considerate, ethical, caring, virtuous, humble, honorable, strong, wise, decisive Beowulf and Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is perhaps the most recognized and inarguably also the most respected Indian nationals to have lived in the 20th century. Many in India and around the world consider him a legendary hero for his principles which are based on non-violence, truth and political freedom (Schraff 6) He used these three moral principals which he fully believed in to almost single handedly force the British to relinquish one of their most prized colonies: India. The fact that Mahatma Gandhi was able to achieve what many others could only get after widespread blood shed is a testimony to his great influence as a leader whom all Indians respected and were ready to follow. He was unafraid to fight for what was right. Many times he was able to terrorize the British colonists, not by brandishing words and guns, but through his non violent campaigns (25). His resilience, courage and sense of patriotism and loyalty to his country are what gave Indians their independence for which they did not have to shed any human blood. Mahatma’s heroism is in many ways similar to Beowulf’s. Both believed in justice for their people and did everything in their power to achieve it. Beowulf respected and loved his kingdom, the same way Gandhi did his country. Both were courageous and selfless in their endeavors to bring justice and peace to their people. While Beowulf saved his people from utter destruction by Grendel, Gandhi saved Indians from prolonged and inhumane colonial rule. They both had selfless commitments to serve their people without letting obstacles such as fear come their way. Mahatma, just like Beowulf was showed insurmountable courage when facing his enemy, the British colonists. When the British sent him to jail, his resolve to fight for justice did not waver. This kind of resilience, courage, humility and sense of honor just show a fraction of the hero Mahatma really was. However, despite the similarities in both Mahatma’s and Beowulf’s heroism, there are one stack difference between the two. Mahatma fought his fight using non-violent means while Beowulf achieved his heroic status on the battle field. Gandhi was also deeply religious and he used his spiritual beliefs as the basis for his non-violence, truth and freedom principles. Another difference can be seen in the manner that each of them died. Beowulf died while fighting a dragon that had threatened his kingdom while Gandhi died in the hands of an assassin whose aim for killing him was purely political. Nevertheless, both Mahatma and Beowulf would not be considered the heroes they are had they not acted the way they did. If Beowulf had decided not to wage war on the evil monsters, he might have been able to save his kingdom from utter destruction and no one would remember him as a hero. If Mahatma had decided to let go of his principles and instead chosen to deal with the colonialists using violence, he might not have achieved independence and respect from his own people and others around the world. In their own unique acts of heroism, both Gandhi and Beowulf were able to inspire others to have no fear while fighting for what is right. Works Cited Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf: A new Translation. London: Faber and Faber, 1999. Print. Ringler, Dick. Beowulf: A New Translation for Oral Delivery. Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 2007. Print. Schraff, Anne. Mahatma Gandhi. Irvine, CA: Saddleback Educational Publishing, 2008. Print. Read More