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Zachary Matteson
Professor Chip Douglas
UWRT 1101
November 18, 2015
Does A Hero Need A Monster To Be A Hero?
Show me a hero and I'll write you a tragedy. (Fitzgerald)
Shrek, Batman, Harry Potter, Jason Bourne, Chris Kyle, and Beowulf only begin
the list of the many heroes who came to mind when this assignment was first given.
Then I began to think of the qualities which made them each a hero; how were they
alike, how were they different? Whether fictional or non-fictional these heroes were all
ordinary people/subjects in their environments which ended up facing challenges or
monsters. Then I wondered does a hero need a monster to be a hero?
As far back as the eighth century in England monsters inspired the actions of
heroes. The most recent example of monsters vs heroes that comes to mind is Beowulf,
written sometime between 8th and 11th century anonymously by an Anglo-Saxon poet
and referred to by scholars as the "Beowulf poet" (Wikipedia). Below is a very brief
summary showing the relationship and comparison between a hero and a monster at
different stages of life, both past and present.
As a young courageous warrior from Geatland, Beowulf felt an endless debt to
Hrothgar, the King of Denmark for previously protecting his father during battle. This
debt influenced Beowulfs decision to travel to Denmark to return the debt by aiding
Hrothgar in his battle of the swamp monster named Grendel which was terrorizing the
kings village, killing members of his military and village during the night. Beowulf and

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several of his most trusted warriors traveled to the swamp where Grendel lived. When
Grendel appeared, several warriors were killed in battle, however Beowulf was able to
rip off Grendels arm before the monster retreated back to the bottom of the swamp to
die. Feeling safe after the death of Grendel, everyone slept into the night. No one had
known about Grendels mother, where she lived, her powers or her plan to avenge her
sons death. While everyone was sleeping, Grendels mother came out of the swamp
killing and decapitating Aeschere, the kings most trusted advisor and friend. Once
again the hero, Beowulf tracked Grendels mother to the swamp. After much struggling
in the monsters lair at the bottom of the swamp, Beowulf killed Grendels mother at
which time the waters cleared allowing him to see the body of Grendel. Beowulf
decapitated Grendel and brought the head back to the king.
The king of Denmark gave Beowulf treasures for saving his village. Beowulf
brought these treasures to Hrethel, the king of the Geatland. As time passed King
Hrethel was killed in battle, soon to be followed by his sons death. With no remaining
heirs, the honor of king was bestowed to Beowulf. Years later, Beowulfs village was
threatened when a dragon was awakened. Beowulf and his warriors once again fight a
battle against a monster and during the attack Beowulf is bitten by the dragon. He
continues to fight until the dragon is killed, knowing he is also dying from the
venomousness bite. Beowulf requested that upon his death his body is burned and
buried overlooking the sea. Beowulfs monsters allowed him to gain notoriety and fame.
As a young warrior Beowulf fought many battles or monsters however none as powerful
as Grendel. As he grew older, another monster surfaced continuing to test his strength.

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I used this story to compare heroes and monsters from the past to the present. I
wondered if todays heroes would be different due to the change in time and society. All
heroes fight battles of some form with other struggles lurking in the shadows (as
Grendels mother did). After reading the articles and watching the videos provided in 10
Modern-Day Heroes Actively Changing the World on LISTVERSE (Gerber), I realized
the same characteristics remain in todays heroes as they did in the 8 th century. The
monsters may not breathe fire or live in swamps, however they are still real. The videos
show child heroes that have been the victims of todays monsters but have fostered
their inner strength and courage to fight their monsters. As Beowulf traveled from his
home country to Denmark to fight the monsters, so do our soldiers and countless
volunteers as they travel to different countries to fight the monsters of poverty and war
to help eliminate or quiet the monsters due to a global commitment.
Heroes come in many forms. Teachers, policemen, servicemen, firemen, social
workers, doctors or any person that gives of themselves can be considered a
transparent hero. Transparent Heroes are often overlooked according to an article in
CONNECTIONS, The Seven Paradoxes of Heroism (Goethals). In this article
transparent heroes often have jobs where they go beyond what is expected of them or
put themselves in harms way to free us from various monsters. I believe there is yet
another group of unsung transparent heroes, who are family, volunteers, or those who
stands up to bullies. These heroes give unselfishly without pay to fight the monster.
A hero is defined as the willingness to make a personal sacrifice for the benefit
of others according to an article in Psychology Today (Alex Lickerman). During 9/11,
school shootings, natural disasters, and personal dilemmas the transparent hero has

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been seen offering to help others (or slay the monster). Heroes worked unselfishly after
9/11 assisting police and fireman searching for survivors, putting themselves in harms
way from toxic dust and fumes. This form of heroism has also been seen when people
run into buildings to save others, lift cars off people who had been in an auto accident,
or buy meals for the homeless. Traumatic events or the monster encourage unity,
bringing people together against the common monster they are fighting.
And lastly, we all have a monster within us that will surface at various times of our
lives. Whether these monsters are a form of addiction, a form of tragedy, or illnesses,
they will occur at some point in our lives. We may fight for control and win against some
monsters, while others such as a terminal illness often win the long battle. We become
a hero if we are able to overcome the monster or learn to deal with the anguish it
causes. I think its important to note that Beowulf fought three monsters during his life;
Grendel (a chosen battle), Grendels mother (the monster lurking in the shadows) and at
a much older age the dragon.
This shows us there are monsters to fight at any age. Monsters have no specific
face or timeframe. After much research and thought I believe yes, a hero does need a
monster to become a hero. Without Grendel, Beowulf would not be a hero, and without
racial discrimination Martin Luther King would be an average American. All heros,
whether it be transparent heros or heros from a book, need some sort of monster or
obstacle to overcome in order to be a hero. Unfortunately there will never be a shortage
of monsters in the world to feed the hero whether they be war, illnesses, natural
disasters, or other tragedies. A hero doesnt have to wear a cape, fight dragons or wear
uniforms, but comes from within each of us according to our morals, and willingness to

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give. Courage and self-sacrifice are the swords and tools used to fight the monsters, but
without the monsters, the heroes would be normal people.

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Works Cited
Allison,Scott T. "The Seven Paradoxes of Heroism." SPSP. 2 Jan. 2012. Web. 10 Nov.
2015.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2015. 10 November 2015.
Hestie Barnard Gerber "10 Modern-Day Heroes Actively Changing the World Listverse." Listverse. 30 May 2013. Web. 9 Nov. 2015."
Lickerman, Alex M.D "What Makes a Hero?" Psychology Today. Web/ Online video clip.
Posted Sept. 19, 2010 9 Nov. 2015.

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 9 Nov. 2015