Beowulf/Grendel contemporary and legendary heroes
...he “strongest swimmer of all” (Beowulf 37). Beowulf is not only striking because of his physical presence, which was most important in that time, but also because his skill in speaking. His boastful manner as he declares his intention to “fulfil that purpose” (Beowulf 43) and slay the monster is also a rather customary part of heroic behaviour. The boasting actually increases his honor and raises the level of expectations as to how he will handle the approaching battle with Grendel. Throughout the fight with Grendel, Beowulf is treated as more than human. He shows himself stronger and more powerful, almost like a “half-god”, than even the monstrous Grendel, and Beowulf seems completely unbeatable. This makes his conquest of Grendel even more impressive. Beowulf manifests the behaviour and values of a perfect, legendary hero including courage, strength and pride. Yet, the qualities that a hero once was expected to have are no longer applicable in the contemporary world. Also, a woman would have never ever been thought to be a hero. Today, many people view Aung San Suu Kyi as a major heroine. In conflicts for peace and reconciliation, we are dependent on people who set examples, people who can symbolize what we are in search of. Aung San Suu Kyi is such a person. The things she fights for are democracy, respect for human rights, reconciliation between groups, non-violence, and personal and collective discipline. The sources of her inspiration were Mahatma Gandhi and her father, Aung San. From Gandhi she drew her commitment to non-violence, from her father the understanding that leadership was a duty and that one can only lead with confidence and respect of the people that are to be led. She showed courage by refusing to stop her demonstration on the streets for human rights in Burma, even though soldiers had lined up preparing to fire if she continued. Suu Kyi is still under detention yet seen as a heroine by millions of people. She is admired because of her courage and strength to go against such a cruel military dictatorship. Her mind and heart were always with Burma. She is one of the great heroines of the present day. Some people have heroes or heroines and, especially today, more and more don’t. However, like Aung San Suu Kyi, my biggest hero is my father. I admire him for many qualities and achievements, particularly his courage and strength. He went through many tough situations, one of them being unemployed, another being an alcoholic. After being unemployed for almost more than two years, my father was very depressed and became an alcoholic. The situation was hard for him, his work was so important to him; he wanted to give my family everything he could. And then it was gone. Everything got extremely terrible. After a while, things got better, he fully stopped drinking and now regularly goes to an anonymous alcoholics group. He recently found a job and is very happy with it. He told me to never ever give up, even when it seems hopeless. There is always a way out. My father taught me to always listen to myself, to know my values and stand up for them, and to never let anyone put me down. He told me to select my principles very carefully. I used to ...