Journal 2

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?

     Beowulf’s task of having to confront a dragon is similar to that of firemen. Firemen rush into burning buildings and risk their lives to protect the lives of their fellow community members. The most defining parallel between Beowulf and the average fireman is that they both risk their lives to save the lives of their peers. While firemen and Beowulf are at different ends of the social ladder, their intentions in facing these “dragons” are equally noble. The two heroes are also similar for having to resist fire to accomplish their tasks. Both in mythological and real conflicts, fire has proven to be an enduring, unpredictable force capable of easily overwhelming its victims.