Beowulf Essay

The Evolution of Heroism

History illustrates heroes as those who sacrifice themselves for the betterment of others. This selflessness has carried on throughout history all the way from the Anglo Saxon period to present day. Anglo Saxon heroes such as Beowulf were defined by their physical strength, invulnerability, and confident character. Over time, society has developed new heroic characteristics that exemplify almost the complete opposite of the Anglo Saxon period heroes. History’s most significant heroes whose impact has changed society today served with humility, dignity, nonviolence and used language to create impact. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi are two heroes our modern day society idolizes. Society has changed perspective from idolizing a hero by their strength versus their active knowledge and use of language, proven true in the comparison between Beowulf and the contemporary heroes respected today.

In the Anglo Saxon epic Beowulf, its main character demonstrates heroic deeds to society selflessly and physically by defeating the monster Grendel. Beowulf used physical strength to create impact for the betterment of society. While society during the Anglo Saxon period rejoiced as Beowulf held Grendel as he “twisted with pain” and his “muscle and bone split,” society today would turn their heads at such brutality and call it murder. Anglo Saxon literature defines heroism through atrocious acts of brutality and torture as a “new glory” of which Beowulf exemplified. The battle between Grendel and Beowulf gave insight into society’s respect towards heroes who demonstrate power through merciless destruction towards enemies.

Anglo Saxon’s perception of heroism obviously deviates from the heroes currently idolized today due to their verbal impact versus physical impact. Take Mohandas Gandhi and his Indian nationalism calling for Indian independence from the United Kingdom during the nineteenth century. Gandhi gave truth and justice a new respect to inspire Mankind. Beowulf was a kind character who believed in serving justice, but he did not teach nonviolence; he taught aggressive murder to glorify and call heroic. Martin Luther King Jr. compares to Mohandas Gandhi’s teachings of nonviolence exercised  in his speeches and peaceful protests to promote racial equality in the United States of America. The Washington March and “I Have a Dream” speech gave empowerment through language and nonviolent, peaceful protests to create impact upon unjustified racism and discrimination. Beowulf used physical strength to create such impact and justified issues with his bare hands rather than his words. Beowulf’s God-like strength put him on a golden pedestal declaring him King of the Geats. Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. are idolized as heroes today with their monuments, memorials, and powerful words that live on today.
Society treasures those who make impacts and calls them heroes; whether impact is created through physical victory or verbal truth. Beowulf, Mohandas Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. are significant heroes who define their individual time periods characterizing society’s perception of heroism. With these heroes and their quest to solve injustice whether it may be safety, national independence, or racism, they have impacted their societies and have demonstrated how heroism has evolved through the ages. Beowulf depicts a self-confident, invulnerable, and physically outrageous character who defeats evil with his God-like strength and brutality that today’s citizens would characterize as murder. Society leans more towards respecting those of nonviolence such as the famous Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. as they have served justice with their wise words and peaceful protests. So, we have to ask ourselves, “Does physical strength or nonviolence depict a true hero?” Physical impact may create instant, yet temporary accomplishment, but impact through words has the capability of living on forever.