Compare And Contrast Wigulf And Beowulf - 874 Words

The definition of a hero has changed very little since humankind’s early origins. The case is no different in the story of Beowulf, the mighty Geat king and his nephew, Wiglaf. They are two men who risk their lives for others, and truly care about the well being and state of life of their friends, family, and people. Gold and fame are usually motivators for most so called â€Å"heroes†, but there are three traits required of a true protector of the masses. Although one can make an argument that Beowulf and Wiglaf are selfish heroes for hire, their bravery, strength, and determination demonstrates their moral standings and code of ethics. Bravery, the first of the three core traits, is arguably the most important factor in the making of a†¦show more content†¦Beowulf and Grendel both have monstrous strength. The difference between the two is how they use it. Grendel chooses evil over good, and eats those who try to protect Herot. He meets his match unexpectedly in the heroine of our story while greedily yanking soldiers out of their beds.. Beowulf is so confident in his physical abilities that he grabs hold of Grendel with his bare hands. This epic explains the situation by telling us â€Å"Nothing could take his talons and himself (Grendel) from that tight hard grip†(32). Beowulf makes short work of Grendel and makes him bleed to death whilst running away. Grendel reaches the lair where his mother resides. After his death, his mother seeks revenge. She rushes to Herot and grabs up men. Beowulf seeks and finds her lair without much opposition and grabs a mighty sword. He grabs the giant forged weapon that the epic describes as â€Å"so massive that no ordinary man could lift†(37), and kills Grendel’s mother, showcasing why he is remembered among the legends to this day. The last trait that defines a hero is determination. A determined mind and soul can accomplish things that exceed expectations, and determination is a motivating factor in many rags to riches stories. Beowulf finally earns his one true reward upon his his death. The story tells us that â€Å"His soul fled from his breast to its destined place among the steadfast ones†(48). His determination to