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Caleb Blevins
Mrs. Tieman
English 12
February 10, 2015
Beowulf The Epic Hero..Really?
In 2008, I saw a poster of the highly anticipated up and coming film The Dark Knight. I
was surprised though when below the picture of actor Christian Bale (Batman) there read four
very unusual words. Im not a Hero. I know the words themselves seem nothing that sounds
unnatural at all, yet at the same time they were. Batman is and always will be a hero. Hollywood
and the comic book creator, Bob Kane, have already made him into being a hero. However, after
a few moments of processing it I finally realized it. What makes him a hero is the fact that he
denies being one. Hes honorable, humble, just, and puts the people before himself like most of
the comic book superheroes that Marvel and Detective Comics have brought about. Yet I really
dont see the mythological character of Beowulf being a hero. He seems more to me like a
glorified jock. Like someone at a class reunion that will reflect more on their past successes than
that of their present life. Compared to the superheroes of today, Beowulf is not a hero because all
he does is brag about how great he is and thinks more of himself than that of the good of the
people.
It has been said that the comic book characters of today are considered to be the
mythological heroes of modern society, just as the Greeks had the characters of Hercules,
Perseus, and Aracne. Characters such as Captain America, Batman, Spider-man, the X-Men, and
even Spock from Star Trek have been categorized as being heroes whether they have super
powers or not. One quality that all these characters have is that most of the comic book heroes,

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with a few exceptions, do not gloat about their powers or successes as Beowulf does. For
example in The Dark Knight (2008) Batman takes the blame of the crimes committed by
Harvey Dent, or Two-Face as he is better known. By doing such a thing he degrades himself to
the lowest level possible. A fugitive running from the law. As the film ends Batman is being
chased by police and in the following film The Dark Knight Rises he is still being hunted by
the residents of Gotham City. Yet, unknown to Gotham, is that he took the blame of the murders
because Harvey Dent had such a great impact on the citizens that even knowing of the selfless
heros fall would plunge the city into madness. By branding himself a villain for the greater good
of the people, Batman still gave the people something to believe in. Hope and that is what really
matters. Beowulf, on the other hand, lacks the will to let his good name be ruined if it means for
the better of the people. Some might argue and say that he did sacrifice himself at the end of the
story, but even at the end Beowulf still acted as if he was greater and far more superior than that
of anyone else.
Heros dont have to be just fictional characters in tights and capes like Superman and
Thor. There are real life heroes today that have saved lives. Two that come to mind are Captain
Sullenberger and Captain Phillips. Captain Chesley Sullenberger, or Sully, is mostly known for
his serving captain of US Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009 what many have dubbed the
Miracle of the Hudson. Sully has focused his entire career on safety, performance, reliability,
and operational excellence and on January 15 of 2009 all those qualities were put to the test as he
landed Flight 1549 in the Hudson River when the plane hit a large flock of birds that disabled
both engines. It was unbelievable when it happened. Yet, through all the madness, through all the
turmoil of the passengers pushing their way out it was said that Sully never lost his cool and no

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one was lost. He saved the life of everyone on the plane that day, has been given many awards
for his bravery and courage, but never let it get to his head. Hes still humble and still honorable.
Another example of a modern day hero is Captain Richard. On April 2009 the U.S
container ship Maersk Alabama was on its way to its destination when it was attacked by
Somali pirates. Phillips told the crew to hide and faced the pirates with his wits to ensure that all
the crew would return safely home. The story goes on that the pirates captured Phillips and
almost got away on a lifeboat until they were caught. While one of the pirates went to negotiate
with the American Navy, Navy Seals killed the other three that held Phillips hostage and saved
his life. Both the American Navy and Navy Seals are heroes due to savin Phillips life yet
Phillips himself is also a hero. He saved the crew of the Maersk Alabama. He stood up against
four armed pirates that were determined to kill him and every man there if they could. Both
Phillips and Sully posses heroic qualities but never act as if they are gods or deserve to be
worshiped like that of Beowulf. For example Beowulf often tells of a story about himself when
he challenged another man to swimming. In the story he tells of how great and mighty he is and
that no one can conquer him.
Finally Beowulf thinks to much of himself. Now some may say that he puts the good of
the people before him but does he really? I dont think so. I ask this question: why does Beowulf
wait too long to go to Hrothgar to slay Grendel? Between that time he (Grendel) had already
killed many of the people and destroyed the hopes and faith of the Danes. In the story it talks
about how the people turn from the Christian Faith and go back to their pagan gods and make
sacrifices to the strange spirits. This makes me think Beowulf is willing to let the faith of the
people be broken if it means he can show himself off. Now one can relate this story back to The
Dark Knight Trilogy but another story comes to mind. I know its considered to be one of the

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geekiest things ever but it still holds a deal of moral value. Im speaking of the Star Trek movies.
For example in Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan Spock sacrifices himself to save the
Enterprise. As he dies he reminds the devastated Kirk that The needs of the many outweigh the
needs of the fewor the one. Spock put the good of the people before himself and was willing
to give his own life if it meant saving the lives of everyone else for the greater good. Beowulf
seemed as if he didnt care when Grendel was terrorizing the Danes or even when a fellow
warrior was ripped in pieces by Grendel.
In conclusion Beowulf may be awesome and super strong but he lacks what it really
means to be a hero. Whether it be a fictional character like Batman and Spock to real heroes like
Captain Sullenberger and Captain Phillips a hero is made of humility, honor, and moral value.