Beowulf Essay

       Goodness, loyalty, courteousness, evenness, and bravery all describe the traits an ideal hero would possess. In the poem Beowulf, there is one character who carries all and more of these stated characteristics, and that character is indeed the protagonist known as Beowulf. Throughout the poem Beowulf slays monstrous creatures that seem not of the real world and, in truth, Beowulf exemplifies the characteristics of the ideal and perfect hero just like Katniss Everdeen in Hunger Games. 

       The story starts off with King Hrothgar of Denmark and his kingdom in terror as Grendel, a horrible demon, rampages by killing anyone in the mead-hall called Heorot. Beowulf hears of this and decides to aid King Hrothgar. As Beowulf and his men feast in the Heorot, Grendel comes into play. Beowulf fights Grendel without armor and finishes him by ripping his arm off. Soon enough Grendel's mother hears of her son’s death and decides to avenge him. Beowulf then slays Grendel’s mother. In time, he becomes king in his homeland and oversees a long era of peace during which his warriors grow so soft that they run away from a fight, even when the only man standing is their king, frail and alone, armed with helmet, shield and sword against a fire-breathing dragon. Beowulf loses that last fight and dies with the knowledge that his high ideals no longer thrive in the hearts of younger men. The high ideals he held so dear have not endured under his leadership.

       One thousand years later, Katniss also chooses to fight for others just like Beowulf. She takes her sister’s place in The Hunger Games, knowing the contest may kill her, but if she succeeds, she will not only save her sister, but she will lift up her "district" making their lives better. Indeed, the fate of her home rests upon her shoulders just like Beowulf's does in his homeland. Katniss is less eager to take life than is Beowulf, but Katniss faces mere mortals rather than the Spawn of Cain and a dragon. She must kill her own in order to triumph. We know then that Katniss, in other circumstances, would pursue excellence in all things, never taking life except to hunt so that her family and her community might survive.

          In conclusion, Beowulf is indeed a loyal, courageous, and noble man, and truly portrays the characteristics of the ideal hero. Beowulf’s story, originating about a millennia ago, is a saga alive and well in this post-modern literary era. Katniss Everdeen is an excellent comparison when describing an ideal hero.  Throughout their lives Beowulf and Katniss Everdeen showed the characteristics and traits only  true and ideal heroes could posses.