11/14/11 Honors English 4: B1
Beowulf & Beyonc: Achieving The Impossible
Throughout history, the figures that people look up to and consider heroes change. However, the basic characteristics that heroes possess have not. Today, a person many consider to be a hero is Beyonc Knowles. As a national entertainer, she has been able to touch peoples lives through her music, movies, and positive image, as well as by reaching out to charities and giving back to the community. She has served as an inspiration for both women and men to pursue their dreams through whatever criticism and adversity they may face. Beowulf was not only a hero to his own people, the Geats, but he helped a different society from his own by defeating two beasts that terrorized their people. Both Beowulf and Beyonc have the characteristics of a hero through their supernatural powers, vulnerability, and fulfillment of destiny.
Beyonc 's supernatural power is her voice. She is also an extremely talented dancer. Her voice is her power because she is able to touch the lives of millions, all over the world, just by singing her music. Not only does she sing, she dances, writes her own music, and performs in front of stadiums of thousands of people. Not many people can do
that. People listen to her when they are happy, sad, angry, and just to let the beauty of her voice into their day. Beowulf also possesses supernatural powers; his strength. Beowulf is stronger than any other warriors and can face challenges that no other man could dream of facing. He fights Grendel with no armor, the beast that has killed many of the Danes, because he wants to fight man to man. He fears nothing because of his supernatural strength. Although the two heroes are from completely different time periods, they each have supernatural powers that others who see them can only dream of having.
While heroes can appear to be the strongest individuals alive they are still human, which comes with vulnerability. Being a celebrity in today's culture, Beyonc is subjected to the scrutiny of the public eye. She has been criticized for her weight, being called too fat and too thin. Whenever her weight fluctuates at all, it is noticed. She has to watch her every move because, as with everyone in the public eye, she is constantly being watched for her actions. Even when she goes out of the house with no make up, her photo is taken and put on the internet where people can bash her appearance and call her ugly simply because she decided to not make herself up for one day. Even the strongest warrior is subject to vulnerability. While Beowulf is the strongest warrior, he is also the most prideful. It is important to have some pride, but too much can be detrimental. Losing is not an option in Beowulf's mind and
when the time comes for him to battle the dragon, he thinks that he can take it on alone even in his old age. Beowulf puts up a good fight, but the dragon overpowers him because he is not as youthful as he used to be. His pride causes him to be in a vulnerable situation as he faces the last fight of his life.
Fulfilling a destiny is something that both Beowulf and Beyonc have accomplished. Beyonc started her career at a young age with the support and dedication from her parents Tina and Matthew Knowles. Her mother was responsible for her wardrobe, make up, and hair, while her father managed the countless talent shows and the all girl singing group Destiny's Child. Her destiny was written in the name of that very R&B trio that brought her to fame in order to fulfill her destiny as an independent superstar, and icon. Beowulf was known by his peers as the most fierce warrior of all time. His father was a powerful king, which set a precedent for Beowulf to also be powerful. After he defeated both Grendel and his mother, Hrothgar, king of the Danes, told him that if he went back the Geatland he would be an excellent and prosperous king. With his strength, power, and unwavering confidence, Beowulf was destined to become a king and be a strong leader of his people.
There will always be heroes in human society because people need heroes for inspiration and hope. Both Beyonc and Beowulf serve
others and give them hope, through there endless effort in accomplishing their goals. Beowulf is a strong leader who defeats fearsome creatures that bring harm to others. Beyonc inspires others to work hard and grasp their dreams with her hard work, ambition, and talent. They are able to work through their vulnerability with their supernatural powers in order to fulfill their destinies.
