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Richard Young

Professor Syring

English 2010

November 30, 2019

Works Cited

Bennet, Gracie. "Heroes: Then and Now." Prezi, 1 Nov. 2012, prezi.com/lsp_c15k5ttk/heroes-

then-and-now/. Accessed 28 Nov. 2019. Infographic.

In this slide presentation, Gracie Bennet compares the differences of old heroic legends to

the modern-day superhero. The author says that old English heroes were portrayed as

superhuman, and did their deeds for their own glory and fame. Heroes now are characterized as

being public servants and spend time using their abilities to protect others.

"Beowulf." The Middle Ages, by James Simpson, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, 10th ed., New

York, NY, W. W. Norton & Company, pp. 37-42. 3 vols.

In the introduction to Beowulf, the author shares the origins of the work and goes into

depth about the culture and time period of Beowulf. On page 39, the author goes into detail about

the values found in Germanic poetry, which consist of honor and loyalty to one's king or country.

Beowulf would be considered a hero because he would take pride in defending and fighting for

his kingdom. These are some of the early heroic ideas that we can see in Beowulf.

Bintly, Michael. "Old English Heroic Poetry." British Literature, www.bl.uk/medieval-

literature/articles/old-english-heroic-poetry. Accessed 31 Jan. 2018.

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Micheal Bintly summarizes heroic poetry in his article, and explains that heroic poetry

consists of self-sacrifice and a mix of Christian and Pagan ideas. Bintly explains the origins of

heroic poetry and the Anglo Saxon roots that show through the heroic symbolism of early

English writing. Bintly also explains that spiritual practices such as Christianity and Paganism

are also major factors in shaping these heroic poems.

Dirda, Michael. "From Beowulf to Batman; The Forerunners of Today's Superheroes Can Be

Found in Chivalric Romance, Legend and . . . Real Life. Michael Dirda Reviews 'The

Evolution of the Costumed Avenger' by Jess Nevins." New York Times, Apr. 2017.

Proquest, search-proquest-

com.ezproxy.csmd.edu/docview/1885029928/40CD6B537B504645PQ/3?

accountid=10274. Accessed 11 Nov. 2019.

In this article, the author Michael Dirda claims that many of our modern-day superheroes

originate from many popular chivalric legends. Dirda is revewing an article. Dirda is reviewing

an article by author Jess Nevins which goes into depth about how modern heroic ideals can be

compared to chivalric ideas found in legends such as Beowulf and the "Faerie Queene."

Mullane, Pat. "Today's on-screen heroes not always 'super.'" University Wire, Mar. 2016.

Proquest, search-proquest-

com.ezproxy.csmd.edu/docview/1770410026/EA794F8359A64560PQ/8?

accountid=10274. Accessed 18 Nov. 2019.

In this article, written by Pat Mullane, we understand that the heroic ideals and a central
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protagonist have been embedded in culture since the Greek empire. However, Mullane argues

that modern heroes are beginning to take a turn from the standard heroic ideal, and are begging

to become heroes without any real heroic qualities. Mullane simply argues that today people

simply want to watch a story about the famous central character, whether they are truly heroic or

not.

Padua, Pat. "Can medieval chivalry save the modern world? 'The Kid Who Would Be King'

thinks so.: Contemporary Arthurian action-adventure rambles at times, but mostly

works." New York Times, 23 Jan. 2019. proquest, search-proquest-

com.ezproxy.csmd.edu/docview/2170239902/E02C4AB28BA64CF5PQ/4?

accountid=10274. Accessed 18 Nov. 2019.

In this article, the author Pat Padua talks about the historical relevance of a movie called

The Kid who would be King. This movie is a spin-off of the famous Arthurian legend of the

sword and the stone. While this movie does take a different narrative approach than the original

legend, the movie still teaches kids about some of the heroic and chivalrous codes that the

knights in these stories followed. Padua describes the movie as a "way for kids today to look at

the legends of the past."

Parsons, Deke. "Beowulf Compared to Modern Heroes." Study.com,

study.com/academy/lesson/beowulf-compared-to-modern-day-heroes.html. Accessed 28

Nov. 2019.

Instructor Deke Parsons performs a lecture about the oldest English hero Beowulf and
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how his heroic attributes can be compared to modern-day heroes. Parson explains that there are

two main categories and approaches that heroes tend to be classified as. First, heroes can solely

rely on supernatural abilities and their physical strength. Examples of these heroes would be

Beowulf or his modern-day equivalent superman. Second, heroes can rely more on their

intelligence and cunning by tricking or outwitting their opponents. Parsons believes that these

two heroic traits can be given to heroes like Beowulf and many of the traditional modern-day

heroes we see in popular television.

Porte, Jacqueline. "The Ideal Epic Hero from Beowulf to Batman." Proquest, 2013, search-

proquest-com.ezproxy.csmd.edu/docview/1418032472/F274C889BE9D46DDPQ/6?

accountid=10274. Accessed 11 Nov. 2019.

This paper written by Jaqueline Porte expresses the development and similarities of

famous medieval legends when compared to the recent Dark Knight trilogy. This essay is meant

to inform readers of the influences that the famous comic hero batman had from works such as

Beowulf, and Gawain and the Green Knight. One example of this similarity that the author

presents is that heroes from the medieval period to modern-day have always maintained the

desire to protect others. Porte shows us many examples of how our beloved modern-day heroes

are simply reflections of the heroic legend of Beowulf.

Poudrier, Almira F. "The Virtue of the Weaponed Hero." The Humanist, vol. 61, no. 4, July

2001, pp. 35-57. proquest, search-proquest-

com.ezproxy.csmd.edu/docview/235290595/D0B5BB635F54413APQ/7?

accountid=10274. Accessed 18 Nov. 2019.

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This article specifically mentions how heroic tools such as a gun or a weapon has been

integrated into society for many generations. This type of heroic weaponry can be seen in

Beowulf with his magical sword. The article suggests that a true hero will take up the

responsibility of holding such powerful weapons.

Scully, Margaret. "Anglo-Saxon Vs. Modern Heroes." Pace University,

csis.pace.edu/grendel/Proj2004A8/website/hero.html. Accessed 25 Nov. 2019.

In this article, Margaret Scully defines heroism and elaborates that the word can have

four different meanings. She explains that a hero can be defined as an individual with great

courage or strength commonly seen in mythology, an individual that is noted for their great

courage or honor, an individual that is uplifted for having a special quality in their field of

experience, and lastly is defined as a male protagonist that represents how men should strive to

be. Scully argues that heroes like Beowulf hold all of these specific qualities, and modern-day

heroes lack some of these definitions.