Essay Beowulf and Batman - 622 Words

There are many similarities between Batman- a modern day hero making use of his intellect, modern technology, and detective skills on crime and warfare and the classic hero, Beowulf- who travels great distances to prove his strength against his enemies, even at impossible odds. For example, the simplest being that they are both heroes working towards the common good, saving others without twice thinking of their own safety. However there are also many differences: obvious ones such as the fact they were born centuries apart, and subtle ones like the importance placed on humility with Batman versus self-confidence with Beowulf. Although there are many similarities, the few differences between Beowulf and Batman are quite evident. The epic†¦show more content†¦In contrast to Beowulf, he does not receive glory or personal reward for his heroism and bravery. Next, the many similarities between the epic hero Beowulf and the crime-fighting Batman are also quite apparent. The â₠¬Å"classic hero† possesses strength, follows an ethical code, and most obviously- fights evil for the common good of others. This model applies to Beowulf and to the modern hero, Batman. First, it is quite obvious that both heroes have strong ethical codes. Batman only kills when it is absolutely necessary. In the comics and movies, he would frequently release his criminals after fighting them rather than just killing them because he felt they would no longer be a threat. Beowulf also shares a similar code of ethics. This was shown while he was fighting Unferth; condemning him he said, â€Å"You murdered your own kin†¦ You’ll suffer hell’s fires, Unferth forever tormented.† It is plain to see that both heroes are true to their ethics. Next, Both heroes posses much strength and endurance: Beowulf is said to have swam seven days while fighting off sea-monsters and he tore off Grendel’s arms using just his hands; Batman, too, single-handedly fight s off big groups of gangs and criminals on many occasions. Lastly, both Batman and Beowulf are truly committed to fighting evil to save others, even putting their own lives at risk to do so. Both heroes are there when a villain attacks the innocent. For example, Beowulf traveled allShow MoreRelatedBeowulf Character Analysis999 Words   |  4 Pagesflaws and personality. Then, say that Beowulf, a poem about a man who is as deep as a sheet of paper, is a masterpiece. While the poem Beowulf is one of the most important and influential pieces of literature in the world, Beowulf himself is a poorly written character when compared to characters of today’s standards. Beowulf is originally a Scandinavian story from a period before written records. It recounts the adventures of the brave and honorable Beowulf as he kills various monsters. Though, toRead MoreThe Modern Medieval Hero1679 Words   |  7 Pagesworld’s greatest weapons against crime—the Batman. Batman perfectly embodies the idea of a hero. He combats crime in the city of Gotham with relative ease having pushed himself to the absolute pinnacle of physical human achievement while simultaneously wielding a mastery of fighting techniques and an arsenal of advanced crime-fighting technology. An intellectually brilliant detective with a plan for any and every occasion, seemingly always ahead of his foes. Batman battles anything from common thugs andRead MoreEssay on Beowulf1150 Words   |  5 Pagesto write about regardless of whether or not I want to. Thus it was, the mighty Beowulf of old England that went forth to slay the evils which plagued the lands of his own people as well as those of his neighboring tribes. 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Beowulf is a hero that defies the logic of your typical comic book hero; he possesses his own attributes and is in a class of his own withRead MoreUnderstanding The Modern Medieval Hero Essay1872 Words   |  8 PagesUnderstanding the Modern Medieval Hero While the heroes themselves were crafted in time periods far apart, the foundation for Batman’s character can be traced back to Beowulf. This ‘character’ of The Hero is considered to be the ever-evolving foundation for many of the super-heroic characters prevalent in modern media. Batman and Beowulf in particular; as heroes they are strong, swift. As men they are sought after and considered the would be pinnacle of ‘attractive’ for their times. Being born of royaltyRead MoreBeowulf Comparison to Modern Day Hero2195 Words   |  9 PagesFrom Beowulf to Superman, Why we need our Heroes Heroes, from Beowulf to Superman our cultures have always created heroes. 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Also it shows the bravery and chivalry of Beowulf which in addition could be said about Batman in the film Dark Knight because he was willing to risk his life to save his world (â€Å"Beowulf 63, â€Å"Dark Knight,† parRead MoreBeowulf is an Anglo-Saxon Hero Essay691 Words   |  3 Pagesdefinition, a hero is one who embodies the values of their society. In the epic Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf, written by an anonymous author, the character Beowulf is used to convey the value that Anglo-Saxons placed on courage, strength, and loyalty. Courage is certainly a trait which every hero must possess, particularly because no one wants a hero who is a coward. Thankfully, Beowulf is no coward. When Beowulf hears of Grendel’s exploits in Denmark, he travels to the â€Å"distant† land, without hesitationRead MoreThe Four Characters Of Beowulf And Modern Day Heros738 Words   |  3 Pagesapproach than Beowulf. For example, he rips Grendel’s arm right out of its socket! 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