Heroism
Every day, there are people who are willing to risk their lives to protect others. In the epic poem written by an anonymous poet, Beowulf shared many similar and different qualities with a soldier. Beowulf is an epic hero during the Anglo-Saxon time period while the soldier is a hero in the present time. Similar to Beowulf, Jack Cunningham is also a protector of his country. Beowulf and Jack Cunningham may lead similar lives but they have different aspects.
Both Beowulf and Cunningham come from different backgrounds. Beowulf "the noble warrior"(pg39), is a fiction character from the land of the Geats. He is in an epic poem and fights in three battles but most importantly, the third battle with the dragon which he died in. It was fifty years in between the first two battles until he fought the last one. Knowing that he is old and death could come anytime, he still fought the dragon. His choice for putting himself in for the last battle has gained him more respect by the people in town. It proves that he is the "mightiest man on earth." (pg45) Cunningham who was born in 1950, still living today served in the U.S army and fought during the Vietnam War. As a little boy, he always dreamt that someday he would get a chance to wear the honorable Marine uniform. When he got older, he decides to join the marines and experience the heroic life. A hero is someone who performs courageous acts even if the consequences can be fatal. Both Beowulf and Chunningham are warriors who fight for their people. They show good deeds by protecting people and fight for a good cause. When Beowulf hears the troubles the Danes were having with an evil monster, he then packs up stuff and gather his men to leave the Geats to help the Danes. “Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror and quickly commanded a boat fitted out, proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king.” (pg42) His actions show that he cares about the people around him not just himself. He also wanted the honor that he could obtain if he killed Grendel. In the end of Beowulf, he said “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old, now, but I will fight again.” It proves how committed and loyalty he is to his town. Chunningham also shows a good deed by fighting in the Vietnam War for the