Beowulf Essay

            In a lot of cases heroes change over time depending on what characteristics society deems valuable. Like in Beowulf, the hero Beowulf has confidence and so much so that it is almost arrogance. He is a warrior, representing courage, brute strength, and pride. He was the perfect symbol of what a hero was supposed to be in his society. However, in today’s society he might not be deemed very heroic. The hero that most likely embodies the heroic characteristics that our society wants is Captain America.

            Today people want a hero who is strong, smart, and selfless. Captain America fits that description perfectly. He is genetically enhanced to have superhuman strength. Before he was Captain America, he was Steven Rodgers, a very weak and depended on strategy and cunning to get him where he needed to be. Because he was so weak Steven understood getting pushed around, therefore having compassion for others and always standing up for someone who need help.

            The story of Beowulf and the story of Captain America are almost completely different besides the fact that there is a villain that needs to be defeated. Beowulf introduces the hero by having him go and rip off the arm of a monster like it’s an easy feat. Captain America however is introduced by being rejected by the army because he doesn’t fit the physical standards a soldier needs. Just how these two characters are opened shows how different on what the time period deems heroic. The age of Beowulf doesn’t need or want their hero to have had struggle, while it is important that the hero of today have had gone through some sort of trial or endeavor.  Towards the end of the stories the two heroes begin to have more similarities between them. Both heroes even die while doing good (Captain America is thought to be dead). Beowulf becomes more selfless and Captain America acts and relies on strength more.