The Significance of Heroes in Society
Too often society defines heroes as those who possess extraordinary super powers or those who act as martyrs. Society sees these people as heroes and underestimates the heroism that lies within traditional people with conventional lives. In Grendel, by John Gardner, Grendel's understanding of humanity's cruelty broadens the definition of heroism in modern and historical culture. Although Grendel plays the role of a monster in the story, he is more essential to the kingdom than any hero because he provides them with the reality that death is inescapable. Traditional heroism involves admirable traits, yet society overlooks the necessities those unconventional heroes provide through exemplifying integrity, resisting convention, and outstanding but understated achievement. In Grendel, a brave warrior speaks of heroism and states, "Except in the life of a hero, the whole world's meaningless" (89). Yet in Grendel, the antagonist actually provi
Unferth, the failed hero, also said, "The hero sees values beyond what is possible... it makes the whole struggle of humanity worthwhile" (89). Grendel, an isolated and cynical bearish beast, watches a kingdom blossom with seeds of violence and repression. Over time, Grendel loses hope for all humanity until the story's protagonist, Beowulf, arrives. Despite Grendel's fear that Beowulf will eventually end his life, Grendel respects Beowulf for reminding him that there is value in humanity. As the kingdom watches Beowulf and Grendel's legacy, it becomes apparent that Grendel is heroic in an alternate context. His reign of terror provides an indefinite shadow of mortality for the kingdom. Grendel awakens the people's lives by showing them that death is inescapable. So Beowulf may be a hero because he saves lives, but Grendel is a hero because he gives meaning to life. Beowulf did the impossible by killing Grendel and Grendel did the impossi
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Approximate Word count = 641
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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