Beowulf
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 h
In large doses of radiation from this element, his superhuman strength weakens and he could actually die from exposure to the substance. Beowulf's third great battle shows his mortality. But in adulthood he became a great king of the Geats. ) Both men are powerful, virtuous and physically attractive. " He can bend iron bars with his bare hands, plus he has extrasensory hearing and X-ray vision. The enemies of each man are undeniably evil. Beowulf's most selfless act was to decline becoming king until the death of his uncle, the rightful heir. Though the scope of their importance may differ, it is only because of the man's knowledge of his own world at the time of their creation. Both are identified as humans but act in superhuman ways. Neither figure is encumbered by the laws of man. Through their comparison, contrast also becomes apparent. This has the potential to put him in harm's way. Beowulf is, by far, the more violent of the two. The abandoned boy grew and matured through a normal childhood. They are both of the highest moral make-up, and their fellow men look up to them.
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