The characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon hero can differ
greatly from the modern hero. Anglos looked for their heroes to possess the following
characteristics:
1. Epic battles were only against foes
equal to or stronger than the protagonist.
2. The greatness
of the hero depended upon the greatness of the battle and the greatness of their
ancestry.
3. The Anglo hero was required to "Help thy
neighbor."
4. The Anglo hero was a leader, a warrior, and a
polished speaker.
5. The Anglo hero was in a quest for fame
and glory- given his fame and glory could be given to
God.
In the Epic poem Beowulf, when Beowulf arrives upon
the Danes shores, the sentinel and the herald both recognize Beowulf as a hero. His
physical appearance, his eloquent speech, and his ancestry all show him to be a
hero.
Today, people (cultures) have many different heroes.
A standard definition cannot be made given the great variety between personal
interpretations regarding what a hero is. Some may find an athlete a hero because they
make a lot of money and are on TV. Another person may look at a celebrity as a hero (for
similar reasons as the athlete).
For many, given the
chaotic world we live in, many other look to the people who protect us on a daily basis:
police, firemen, and the armed forces. For many, these are the true heroes. These men
and women risk their lives everyday to insure freedoms, save lives, and protect the
country as a whole. In the wake of 911, many people have changed their definition of
what a true hero is.
Please check out the video links as an
example of my own personal definition of a modern day hero.
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