Beowulf is the archetype of the dragon slayer, the hero who faces death in order to save a threatened community. Does Beowulf remind you of any heroes in real life, in fiction, or in the movies today? What characteristics do the heroes share?
If anything, Beowulf reminds me of firefighters. They risk their lives everyday in order to make sure their communities are as safe as possible from fires, fire hazards, and more. They don’t expect anything in return for their heroic acts, just the knowledge that they were able to save a life or stop a fire from spreading and creating more damage. Both Beowulf and firefighters share heroism, courage, and stealth. Without these, neither could do what they set out to do. It’s these kinds of people that make our communities a better and safer living environment. It’s these people that we owe thanks to.