...next generation, such as when Hrothgar gives gifts to Beowulf, who distributes it among his people, to show and symbolize the potential sacrifices made to gain the treasure, and thus the bravery, honor, success, and reward that the treasure surely represents throughout the text. After Beowulf slays the monster Grendel, King Hrothgar rewards and thanks Beowulf for his efforts by offering him several objects considered treasure. Among the multitude of objects that he presents to Beowulf: “He gave to Beowulf the blade of Healfdene/ a golden war-standard Roberts: 2 as a reward for victory” (Beowulf 1020-1021) Here the word “treasure” is substituted with “a golden war-standard”, which implies that the treasure was a reward for Beowulf’s heroic deed of slaying the monster that terrorized King Hrothgar’s kingdom and people, and by custom it is such that Hrothgar re-distributes this treasure to Beowulf, as a symbol of honor and...
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...Which hero is truly a hero to mankind Zeus, or Perseus? Zeus is the most powerful deity, god in ancient Greece. Zeus's role was that he was the god of social order, and law. They say Greek mythology Perseus is the son of Zeus. Perseus was a demigod and Zeus was a deity god. Perseus was the heroic slayer of the Gorgon Medusa, the mythical creature who turns people into stone. The mother of Perseus was Danae the daughter of King Acrisius of Argos. Zeus was also known as the king of the gods, protector of justice and social order. Although, Zeus and Perseus are outstanding, brave, and strong heroes in Greek mythology, to human Perseus showed more heroic deeds than Zeus. First, how is Zeus and Perseus lives differ from each other. Zeus was the most powerful god in Greek mythology, he was a deity god. Perseus was known as the slayer of Medusa and he was a demigod. Zeus was the supreme ruler, he was “The Lord of the Sky” (Hamilton 24). An oracle predicted that Danae the mother of Perseus would bear a child who would one day kill his grandfather who is the most powerful god Zeus. Zeus's most powerful skill is to the bolts out of lighting. He could also have the authority to take control over the weather causing huge storms and rain to the human world. That’s how Zeus and Perseus lives differ. (Zeus. Myths and...
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...Name Course Tutor Date Ancient Greek Heroes vs. Modern Heroes Introduction The word hero brings to mind different things to different people, since people tend to have different concepts of heroism. This is particularly the case with regard to the concept of heroes in ancient and modern societies. As times have changed, the definition of heroes has also changed, in keeping with the changes in the modern society. However, ancient and modern heroes do share some similarities, which act as the basis of heroism regardless of one’s perspective. In view of this, a hero can be described as a courageous person, who deliberately sets out to conquer obstacles for the benefit others or one who performs extra ordinary feats. The aim of this paper is to compare and contrast ancient Greek heroes with modern heroes, for the purpose of understanding both concepts of heroism. Differences There a few differences between modern and ancient Greek heroes, one of them being the religious background of the ancient Greek heroes. In Greek mythology, heroes were usually religious figures, specifically demigods. They were usually born from liaisons between mortal and immortal parents. These heroes were favored by the gods, hence were able to accomplish supernatural tasks, which were beyond the abilities of normal men. Hercules’ mother for instance was a mortal, while his father Zeus was a Greek god, who disguised himself as her husband. As a result, Hercules was a demigod, and was able to accomplish...
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...Grendel Literary Analyses In John Gardner's novel “Grendel,” a monster, Grendel goes on a quest and enters a war between Hrothgar and himself. During this journey, Grendel has an encounter with the dragon and ends up learning a new way to live life. Through Grendel’s encounters with the dragon, the dragon questions Grendel about the true meaning in life, and makes Grendel re-think the true meaning of life. In “Grendel, John Gardner expresses his opinion on the discourse of the philosophical topics of existentialism and heroic ideals. The dragon establishes a theory for himself that all things in the world will die and are useless. The dragon shares his advice with Grendel, by sharing, “Seek out gold and sit on it" (74). This piece of advice...
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...In the story Beowulf he shows many different things but the things I thought stuck out that he showed were Courage, Strength, and Heroic Deeds/Heroism. Beowulf fought 3 different battles and was very successful in most of them. Beowulf showed Courage because he believed he could battle and save all of these people. He gave other people courage that believed in him and he wanted to prove that he could do it. Beowulf came here to do something and he wasn’t leaving until he was finish with it. Beowulf had enough courage he needed, he never backed down and he always got back up on his feet. He had the courage to go fight huge monsters and couldn’t let being afraid get in his way with any of the battles. Another theme Beowulf showed was strength. Beowulf proved that just because he was smaller and not a monster he could do just as much as them if not more. He killed with just his bare hands which showed so much strength and gave everyone else strength because if he can do it they can at least try. Beowulf had strength when he went to every battle, he had the strength that when he went to every battle he was going to succeed and he didn’t let anything get in the way. The last thing that I thought was a good theme was Heroic Deeds/Heroism. Beowulf went in there to do a job and save lives and he did. Beowulf is a hero to so many people because of his actions and what he has done. Beowulf killed the bad people that they couldn’t kill their selves. Beowulf was just a small...
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...The Greeks are ambivalent about Heracles because he performed many heroic acts and good deeds, but he would also commit evil deeds without justification. The Greeks are unclear in how they should perceive him, whether to appreciate him as a role model or to fear him as an unstable and irrational being. The information from Theogony, The Homeric Hymns, The Iliad, and The Odyssey often questions Heracles’ greatness because there are heroic stories as well as disturbing stories of Heracles. From birth, Heracles had to exhibit his courageousness and strength, while overcoming struggles and obstacles that would potentially hinder his success. He is expected to hold divine status among humans and gods. However, Hera who is not accepting of Zeus’ adultery, plots against the success of Heracles. She conspires Heracles to serve Eurystheus, almost acting entirely as a slave (Illiad 19.96-132). It is unusual to have a hero placed in an inferior position than other respected beings. Heracles receives his eventual hero role described in Hesiod’s Theogony. His acts of bravery and ability to overcome adversity while performing labours is rewarded. Heracles fearlessly battles monsters such as Nemean Lion, saving many men in the process (Th 328-31). Heracles also showed support for humanity when he freed Prometheus from Zeus’ punishment (Th 528-31). At the time Zeus did not think much of humanity, so Heracles’ backing was important. Although it does seem as if Eurystheus was the reason for...
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...Heroism of Paradise Lost Heroism can be described in many different ways. People have certain meanings as to what makes a hero, a hero. Some would like to say it’s about putting others before yourself and others would describe it as completing good deeds for their cities. Paradise Lost written by John Milton is an epic that tells the story of Adam and Eve and how they put the human race’s futures at stake for sin and death. Milton displays a good sense, which I support as well, of what a hero truly is. The story takes place in the Garden of Eden, but is referenced as “Paradise.” The battle between Satan and God created the mess that “caused all our woe” (Norton 1943). God asked Adam and Eve for one favor, which was the action of obedience towards God. They each were told not to eat the fruit from a tree. Satan created temptation for Eve, who ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. Adam, as a sacrifice to Eve, also ate from the Tree afterwards to prove his loyalty to Eve’s love. Now due to their actions the whole world and future human beings of the earth were living in sin for the rest of their lives. However, there was one hero who pardoned all man-kind from their sin and consequences of death. The most heroic character in this epic poem is the Son of God, who sacrificed himself to save God’s creation from death. The definition of heroism in this case represents someone who cares enough about the people that were created, to die for them and show them unconditional...
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...When one must describe a hero, he or she will often allude to various admirable qualities, including powerful deeds, a widespread effect placed upon others, or victory in a ruthless battle. However, one man in particular is recognized for his more modest approach to heroism. Though he was born humbly into a lower-income family in Alabama, Bo Jackson became a universally-admired role model for many Americans because of his natural abilities and overwhelming number of heroic deeds. Two-sport professional athlete Bo Jackson ultimately proves to be a hero for his widespread national heroism, numerous great feats and, most importantly, his omnipresent humility. Regardless of his unassuming upbringing and background, Jackson eventually became widely...
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...and the middle ages. In those historic eras warriors, knights, and kings were honored the most. A hero was someone with a smooth fighting technique and would face death at any moment. Heroes were the people who would lead their armies, fellow knights, and comrades into battle and earned tributes for their courage and great deeds performed during their combat. In other light, the cowards of ancient Greece and the middle ages were considered a burden and were affronted. Throughout many books authors have explained different aspects of what it means to be a hero. Homer, author of the Odyssey, and Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote, convey this characteristic frequently. In the Odyssey, Odysseus was a skillful fighter, but it was yet the proof Homer’s readers needed of his heroism. Odysseus also transpired characteristics of restraint and mercy. On the other hand, Cervantes’ character was not born a hero. He was fooled by chivalric ideas of heroism and sets out to reform the world along with his witty companion. Odysseus and Don Quixote are from two totally different eras, but both of them tried to conquer the world with their heroic acts. Not only their heroic acts made them well known, it’s also their imagination that makes them stand out. In comparison, imagination is what makes Quixote the hero, and imagination just adds a dimension to Odysseus’ character that rules him along. Don Quixote is the hero with the ability to change reality with the force of an idea. For example...
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...Heroic Career Essay [Header spacing is correct in the Google Docs] “In the end we’re all alone, and no one is coming to save you” (Depaul, Nolan, 2011). Heroes, tend to be people who are remembered long after they are gone because of a deed or deeds they did throughout life. Regular civilians in ordinary jobs tend to not have as fortunate of a fate though. Real people might have touched others lives in ways that will be long forgotten, say MLB managers for example. It is a tough position to get into, as most managers are former players (“BR Bullpen,” 2014). Unfortunately though, hardly any managers are remembered after they are done managing. Their average salary is half that of the average player they manage, so they hardly get any recognition...
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...to show his thankfulness by thanking God for giving them safe travel across the sea. Beowulf is lead to Hrothgar and offers him is services. Beowulf is asked by the warriors to tell of his past defeats while eating in Hrothgar's palace. Beowulf is already a hero to the people of this land for he is about to rid them of their enemy. As an ultimate hero, Beowulf decides, to be far, he will not use weapons in his battle against Grendel since Grendel reputedly does not use them. "I do not consider myself a lesser fighter than Grendel does himself; therefore I will not kill him with a sword, and deprive him of life in that way.... No, this night we two will abstain from swords..." That night, even after hearing of all of Beowulf's heroic defeats, the warriors still feel that no man on earth will be able to stand up to the evil Grendel carries. Beowulf will either defeat Grendel or die in the process. "Let me live in greatness...and courage," he says, "or here in this hall welcome...my death." Beowulf awaits the arrival of Grendel then goes on to defeat him and sends him back to...
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... Give an example you find in the translation of Beowulf. Within Anglo Saxon warrior culture, at the time at which Beowulf is set, the mead hall had an important role in their society. The mead hall provided a place where the nobility of the time could negotiate deals, discuss management of the land and where the king could give orders to his subjects. It was also a place where the heroic deeds of war could be recounted and the spoils of war could be divided among the thanes. Personally, I think that the mead hall exemplifies the heroic themes portrayed in the poem and provides an excellent backdrop for its trials and tribulations. Two examples within the Beowulf translation, of the cultural importance of the mead hall are; 7 He decided to build an enormous hall, the largest anyone had ever seen. From there, he would rule and give everything he could to his people, except for land and his men’s lives. - Chapter 1 So all of the noble clansmen, including the great king himself and his queen, rode to the great hall to witness Beowulf’s great deed. - Chapter 13 The ideal relationship between a lord and his warriors which the poem Beowulf so strongly depicts, stems from the Anglo-Saxon oath called “Comitatus”. “Comitatus” was a legal bond of a sort between a lord and his warriors whereby the warriors agreed to give their lives in order to protect the king and his lands if under attack and to avenge him if he is murdered. In return for this, the lord...
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...In Homer's the odyssey there is a character named Odysseus. Odysseus goes on an amazing journey and along his way he goes through many things that mold him into an epic hero. Odysseus also proves his heroism through his behavior. During the story Odysseus often presents us with his great intelligence, his superhuman strength, and also his great leadership and bravery. However though Odysseus does not always act like a hero and does immoral things but when the time is right, the true heroic side of him will come out and we will see how heroic Odysseus really is. Odysseus is a true epic hero and has the the personal characteristics to prove it. Throughout the Odyssey Odysseus presents us with examples of his superhuman strength. That is characteristic...
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...(Merlin). Arthur is the first king without egocentric intentions. Even in his last battle, King Arthur puts his morals before his own life. His desolation proves his righteousness. Rather than leaving his people afraid, his death leaves his people with hope of a better place and rebirth. In life and death, King Arthur ruled his nation. Beowulf brought riches to his people, defended his people, and essentially devoted his life to his people, which made him an ideal prince in the eyes of Machiavelli. For instance, Machiavelli states in The Prince that a ruler should “have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline.” In Beowulf, war is glorified and portrayed as a valiant and honorable deed. Beowulf successfully followed this guideline from Machiavelli and overall it made him a better king. For example, Beowulf ruled the Geats “in peace and prosperity for 50 years” (Beowulf). He was always prepared for battle, regardless of the risks. Combat determines a person’s worth through bravery and victory, and Beowulf was the bravest of...
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...Why? When choosing a career in kindergarten, children consider the most heroic jobs, then pick it. Students pick teachers as a child; they look up to teachers as heroes because teachers lead and guide students through school. After graduation, adults reminisce the impact of teachers on their lives, teaching them anything from school lessons to life lessons. Furthermore, many kids aspire to be a doctor. At 5, they seldom think about salaries and additional schooling, instead, they think about saving lives and caring for others. Humans instinctively save themselves first, but save others,...
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