Many parallels can be drawn between Beowulf, the epic hero of the Anglo-Saxons, and Superman, star of comic books, movies and television. Through their comparison, contrast also becomes apparent. Three areas of particular interest for this study are the genealogies of each man, their physical and moral characteristics, and their own particular vulnerabilities.
             The genealogy of both figures includes a link to a leader of their people, plus both are raised by families other than their own. Beowulf's father abandoned him at an early age and fled to Hrothgar's court with Beowulf left behind to be raised by his mother's father, King Hrethel. The abandoned boy grew and matured through a normal childhood. But in adulthood he became a great king of the Geats. Superman was born to Jarel, leader of the planet Krypton. He was cast away from the planet by his parents to save him from an explosion that destroyed the planet. The capsule which was his spacecraft landed on Earth, and he was found and adopted by a mid western farm couple named Kent from Centerville. He, too, grew up as a normal teenager. Like Beowulf, his greatness wasn't apparent until adulthood. Beowulf was also adopted as an adult by Hrothgar, King of the Danes, for his assistance in ridding Heorot of Grendel and his mother.
             The characteristics of both Superman and Beowulf closely match the qualities which describe an epic hero. Both are identified as humans but act in superhuman ways. (Although Superhuman is actually an alien, his false identity, Clark Kent, is a mild mannered reporter for the Daily Planet Newspaper.) Both men are powerful, virtuous and physically attractive. Both move in worlds where natural laws are suspended. An example of this would be during Beowulf's battle with Grendel's mother. He fought underwater without drowning. Superman, for example, defies the law of gravity by his ability to fly. They both show up in...