Beowulf

All throughout history there have been many heroes. A hero can be anywhere, they can be famous and in the spotlight or they can just be someone who cares about other people and doesn't get half the recognition they deserve. A hero can be any age or race or gender. What a hero does have to have are certain characteristics. Some of them include being brave and courageous, facing their fears and honest. Two famous heroes are Beowulf and Harry Potter. Both of these heroes have similar qualities but at the same time differences that make them unique.

One characteristic that Beowulf and Harry Potter share is they are both brave. Beowulf showed his bravery by fighting the dragon and Grendel and Grendel's mother. Harry Potter showed his bravery in many ways also such as facing Voldemort many times. Also both heroes' tasks determine the fate of a nation. Beowulf had to beat Grendel and the dragon to save the Geates. Harry Potter's victory over Voldemort saved the wizarding world from the come back of the dark side. Another characteristic they have in common is that they are both determined to win over their enemy. Beowulf fights until his death against the dragon. Harry Potter does all he can in each of his heroic battles to win, no matter how hurt he is or how he feels. Both of these heroes possess the attributes of a hero.

Although they are both heroes, Harry Potter and Beowulf have some qualities that the other does not have. One characteristic of a hero, especially in epic tales, is that they be of noble blood. Beowulf's uncle is the King of the Geates making him a prince. Harry Potter is not of any noble blood what so ever. Another trait of a hero is that they possess super natural powers. Although Beowulf lived to be very old and sometimes showed signs of being more than human, Harry Potter's traits are very apparent because he is a wizard. Beowulf cannot cast spells, fly on broom sticks or make magical potions. Another element of a hero is that they have to have a weakness. Beowulf's weakness shown in the epic poem is what a normal person has. Harry Potter's major weakness is a dementor. Different heroes can still be heroes and have different traits than other heroes do.

There are also a lot of differences between a modern day hero and hero from the day of Beowulf. The definition of a modern day hero concentrates on the amazing and spectacular things he can do