Webb
Tamara Webb
Mrs. Eley
Acc. English 4 .7
15 October 2013
Hero Essay
Before and Modern
Ralph Waldo Emerson a man of much importance in American Literatures Transcendentalism stage said, "A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer." A hero today is defined as, a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities. Someone who faces danger from a position of weakness and displays self sacrifice for the greater good. During the Anglo-saxon period the people admired someone who prevailed in battle, and embodied the ideas of strength, bravery, loyalty, leadership, and compassion. Throughout time our definition of a hero has changed and will continue to as we ourselves evolve but a sense of faith, loyalty, and awareness are required to be a hero in both modern and in the time of Beowulf.
A strong faith system is a must have for a hero.
The Old English epic poem Beowulf is written in al...
English: An illustration of Beowulf fighting the d...
Ralph Waldo Emerson Español: Ralph Waldo Emerson....The Anglo-Saxon period settled with celtic people, their belief in fate and spirits possessed various religious struggles throughout the time. Many stories were told orally, until pagan monks wrote them interpreting their strong ideas of god as well as fate and faith. We see this belief in Beowulf when it frequently refers to "God" and his determining fates. Modern heroes such as, "The Man in the Water" also shows the acceptance in fate when it refers to "nature rising to the occasion" as if pre-planned (Rosenblatt, para.2). Fate does not come without faith, I believe faith is of more importance. If faith in yourself is high then your courage to conquer will be too. "The Man in the Water" express faith, but Beowulf explains, "No one else can do/ What I mean to, here, no man but me" (Beowulf l. 2532-25323).