Along with strength, one must have other distinguishing traits to be considered an epic hero. Overall, heroes are morally and principally sound. They have good character and usually lack evil traits (Patton 1). A hero should not seek glorification or attention for their aid; they should be concerned only with doing good. Although Beowulf does seek a little glorification, he shows that a hero must be humble.
Steeped in the middle of this metaphorical contest, Prince Hal experiences the contrasting philosophies of both Falstaff and King Henry, both of which are unable to rule successfully or honestly. Hal’s ability to amalgamate the mentalities of his two father figures ultimately proves perfect, as Hotspur’s failures elucidate true honour isn’t narrowed to the accolades he
Beowulf; an Egotistical Hero Beowulf, a brave man of the Anglo-Saxon era, is held to the standard of being a hero. Taking away numerous unwanted lives; did Beowulf do this as a heroic action due to his dedication to the king or for self-righteousness and bragging rights? As a reader of the twenty-first century, judging Beowulf's actions and dialogue on modern Christian values proves him to be selfish, proud, and egotistical. Through Beowulf's thoughts, it can be seen that this character did anything to succeed, leading him to become egotistical. In the poem, Beowulf travels to Denmark without an invitation to reveal his destiny as “the mightiest man on earth, / highborn and powerful” (Lines 197-198).
The characters of Hamlet and Achilles, even though from very different time periods, encompass many of the same themes and characteristics. These two characters have many close comparisons, but upon closer inspection they differ on a grand scale. This is immanently due mainly to the time period and culture that each character was submersed in and how each character was supposed to act and to extenuate the main essence of the individual culture. Achilles was considered one of, if not, greatest warrior of the Trojan War in Homer’s Iliad. What made Achilles such an honorable hero was the fact that he fought for his own pride, not the desire to conquer the war.
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a timeless tragedy, depicting historical figures but concerning the modern world as well. John Proctor, the protagonist, though fitting several of the characteristics of the Aristotelian tragic hero, is actually a much more complex tragic hero. The primary differences between John Proctor and the classic tragic hero are obvious, such as the lack of noble birth, his not being in a position of leadership, and the inevitability of his fate. These differences are necessary, as Arthur Miller attempts to convince his audience that his protagonist is an everyman and is worth sympathizing for. In Arthur Miller’s more complex world, a more complex tragic hero is needed.
Sir Gawain is challenged. Gawain’s quest is not a typical challenge of the heroic knight errant; rather it is the inner-wrought moral challenge of Gawain’s soul, and of his own human nature. Gawain’s quest takes him from the shining court of Arthur to the fetid Chapel Green. Along the way Gawain is sorely tested, both in bravery and chivalry. Though Gawain pridefully upholds the highest perfection of moral codes and Christian knighthood, he comes to recognize a painful lesson; that all men are merely human, and thus imperfect as nature created him.
Heroes choose to abide by their role and stick with it. They do not try to reconcile themselves with the rest of the world. Times of heroism are generally times of terror, but that day never shines in which this element may not work. The circumstances of man, we say, are historically somewhat better in this country, and at this hour, than perhaps ever before. One of the best examples that I can think of is when Beowulf fought Grendel and won.
Odysseus may look like a hero although he is not very herolike. In “The Odyssey” Odysseus is perceived to be a hero.He was quite the opposite of what a hero is. He was very arrogant and too proud of himself, he was also really curious and had to find out things that did not matter. When he landed on the island of Polyphemus the cyclops, he very easily could have gotten supplies and escaped with his full crew uninjured. Instead curiousity got to him and he had to
(515-517) By showing off his victory, it depicts him having proud and arrogant features and characteristics. Beowulf exhibits more of a physical hero, killing monster, caring more about what people think of his physical attributes. These are some differences Beowulf shows in terms of heroism and what Gawain demonstrates. Beowulf was more of a physical hero, while on the other hand, Gawain is more of a virtuous/moral hero. In his trials, Gawain faces a moral battle throughout the text.
As other novels dishonestly romanticize and glorify war, Heller does the opposite. A main theme Heller tries to convey throughout the novel is that the reality of war is absurd and corrupt, as well as the people involved in war. Although Yossarian is selfish and untrustworthy, Heller slowly shows the reader that these seemingly dislikable characteristics of Yossarian show a type of heroism. As Yossarian evolves, the reader comes to realize that Yossarian’s obsession with preserving his life doesn’t necessarily emphasize his selfishness, but rather the value he puts on life. Throughout most of the novel, the reader follows Yossarian’s quest to escape the war,