What exactly is a hero? A hero is often perceived as an individual who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Despite the different time periods in which they come from, Beowulf and Spider-Man are heroes who fight evil and demonstrate great strength within their own societies. Beowulf comes from a royal family and often saves individuals to show his own strength and ultimately to keep his position within society. Spider-Man, an orphan who had been bitten by a genetically modified spider, gains supernatural powers and fights evil to protect the individuals throughout his community. Although Beowulf and Spider-Man have completely different motives, they are heroes and share a large amount of similarities and differences.
Their ability to fight evil makes both Beowulf and Spider-Man similar. Due to their ability to protect individuals within their society, Beowulf and Spider-Man are characterized as powerful figures. Defeating Grendel ultimately makes Beowulf superior to the rest of the citizens; and with the use of his supernatural abilities, Spider-Man immediately foils petty robberies and muggings, causing citizens of New York City to worship his heroism. With any superhero comes an enemy. Antagonist help demonstrate the courage of both Beowulf and Spider-Man. Grendel, an undefeatable monster who caused trouble in Heorot, was killed by Beowulf; killing Grendel presented Beowulf as a courageous hero who sought to protect the citizens of Heorot. While fighting the Green Goblin, Spider-Man gave it his all to protect Mary Jane; putting himself in danger to save the life of a girl he hardly even knew. Both Beowulf and Spider-Man symbolized power. Beowulf and Spiderman had put themselves at risk and used their strength to defeat evil. Their display of boldness made them superior; and they were ultimately seen as powerful heroes.
Despite their similarities, Beowulf and Spider-Man shared a few differences. Although they both fought against evil, Beowulf had taken a much bravado approach when defeating enemies, while Spider-Man sought to protect individuals and fought against crime simply because it was the right thing to do. Throughout the epic, Beowulf had fought to prove how strong of an individual he truly was. Spider-Man on the other hand, had fought against crime to protect his fellow citizens. Therefore, Beowulf's heroism was based off of strength; Spider-Man's heroism was based off of the greater good. Though both considered heroes, Beowulf fought against his enemies using his pure strength, while Spider-Man used his supernatural powers to defeat evil within his community. The themes presented in both Beowulf and Spider-Man were extremely different. Good vs. Evil played a major role in Beowulf; Beowulf was perceived as good for his heroic fight against Grendel, who was seen as evil by the people of Heorot. "With great power comes great responsibility," is the theme emphasized in Spider-Man, Spider-Man had gained powers and had no clue on how to use them. However, he concluded that he would use his supernatural abilities to protect those in danger.
Heroes have been and will always be seen as individuals who conquer evil. Although they differ greatly in time period, both Beowulf and Spider-Man had courageously fought against evil to protect their people. Beowulf, a hero based off the power of strength, and Spider-Man, a hero willing to conquer all evil, were heroes. Despite all their differences, both heroes shared similarities; demonstrating heroic strength within their time periods.
Marisol!
ReplyDeleteYour essay was very refreshing to read because you compared the two heroes back to back. It was easy to see the similarities and differences because you pointed them out so quickly.
I believe that the thesis is the sentence that says "...Beowulf and Spider-Man are heroes who fight evil and demonstrate great strength within their own societies." right? The thesis is simple and well stated.
I agree with Erica when she said that your thesis is "...Beowulf and Spider-Man are heroes who fight evil and demonstrate great strength within their own societies." Your essay was well-organized and it was easy for me to understand the differences and similarities
ReplyDeleteDear Marisol,
ReplyDeleteI really like how you say Beowulf and spiderman symbolized power in their poem/movie.
I found your essay to be precise, and mainly straight to the point, you pointed out how spiderman and Beowulf were similar, and since I was familiar with both the subjects it made it easier to connect your points to the storyline.
" With any superhero comes an enemy. "I think you can delete this line, and the rest of your point will come across clearly still
although, This part confused me a little, wondering how it is relevant to the thought of modern heroes vs. Old time Heroes, but after you explain your reasoning for it I'd probably understand.
"The themes presented in both Beowulf and Spider-Man were extremely different. Good vs. Evil played a major role in Beowulf; Beowulf was perceived as good for his heroic fight against Grendel, who was seen as evil by the people of Heorot. "With great power comes great responsibility," is the theme emphasized in Spider-Man"
Hey Marisol,
ReplyDeleteYour essay was great to read. As soon as you mentioned something of Beowulf, such as quality or symbolism etc., you then matched it up with a similar or opposing quality or symbol of Beowulf. And that itself was great to read because it kept things organized and straight to the point. I thought your thesis was the last sentence of the first paragraph that read, "Although Beowulf and Spider-Man have completely different motives, they are heroes and share a large amount of similarities and differences." And that thesis itself seemed like a great starting point to dive into several different topics and ideas all under that primary idea.
I love the opening that questions the idea of a hero. It really brings the reader in, and then spider man, so who's gonna stop reading now?? haha
ReplyDeleteWhile the essay itself went into great points comparing beowulf and spider man, I felt the thesis was weak and lacked a higher level of thought. I feel it leaves the rest of the essay to be very vague and broad.
But, to end on a good comment, the conclusion was very insightful and smart, and I believe that had that ending sentence been mentioned in the opening paragraph, it would have really completed the essay's theme.