Beowulf & The Modern Day Hero

   “It’s a bird...it’s a plane...no! It’s Superman!” When people say a modern day superhero, the names such as  “Spiderman”, “Superman”, and “Catwoman” may  flash into mind. However, we forget about one of the most influential superheroes of today’s time a soldier. Despite the differences, there are many similarities between Beowulf and a soldier. Both Beowulf and the soldiers of today have more in common than we  realize.
All soldiers that are fighting for my country certainly comes to mind first, when I think about a modern day hero. Both hero’s are fighting for a good cause, get rewarded for what they do, and get treated with much respect. Although a soldier might not withhold unworldly strength as one such as Beowulf, they both are putting their life at stake, which gives them both the title as being a hero.

As much as two great humans could have so much in common, Beowulf and a soldier have differences as most people in life do. These include the fact that soldiers are paid for their services, where Beowulf battles for his people without a fee. However, in all due respect, most soldiers in the United States fight for our country because they are passionate, patriotic, and feel that they have a fighting cause.

Another difference is that soldiers are sent through training and boot camp in order to achieve the proper skills and strength in order to become the best that they can be. On the other hand, Beowulf does not train for strength or skill. For example, Beowulf was said to lift Grendel’s mighty head, which was twice his size, out of the water without struggle. Beowulf could be considered superhuman due to his abnormal strength and talent, whereas a soldier is simply just a human.
Soldiers are strong and tough like Beowulf, but in all honesty, they do not have super strength, as does Beowulf. These are only a few differences, which can be tied together as similarities due to dedication and hard work of both. Beowulf and soldiers are putting their life on the line, fighting for a good cause, protecting their people and working hard to do what is right.

In the epic story Beowulf is fighting to destroy the monster that is eating all of Hrothgars men in the mead hall. Beowulf defeats the monster and seeks all other monsters that try to promote evil. Soldiers do the same, they fight hard to try to stop the person who is doing harm to their country. Both Beowulf and the Soldiers that serve our country are brave and have a sense of duty, they are good leaders and many have respect for them. They both express courage and strength, and both should be highly acknowledged whether their fighting monsters or fighting for our protection.

Although one is past and the other present, hero is the only word that comes to mind. They are standing up for what is right, and putting their life on the line at the same time.