A Comparison of the Heroes in Beowulf and Young Goodman...

Beowulf, a rousing Old English poem of man and monster, narrates the rise and fall of a superhuman hero named Beowulf. â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, also features a hero, Goodman Brown, a Puritan husband, who declines markedly in the story. Both are victimized by the same sin of pride which leads to a lessening of faith. In Beowulf, the main character, a Geat warrior named Beowulf, possesses extraordinary qualities: â€Å"He was the strongest of men alive in that day, mighty and noble.† Upon spotting Beowulf approaching, the sea-guard of the Danes says, â€Å"Never have I seen a greater man on earth†¦Ã¢â‚¬  King Hrothgar of the Danes says of Beowulf, â€Å"Seafarers who took gifts to the Geats say that he has†¦show more content†¦Beowulf’s example of extreme heroism motivates others to extraordinary deeds: Wiglaf, seeing Beowulf’s strength compromised by the dragon’s fire, risks his life to aid Beowulf in his final battle. It is obvious that the hero possesses superhuman qualities. As critic Donald fry states in TheBeowulf Poet: â€Å"Beowulf is †¦ one set aprt from ordinary men by his size, nobility, and splendid appearance† (Fry 3). In the first part of the poem there is no questioning of ethical standards of the hero by the author. In the first part Beowulf puts his trust in God, and gives himself in selfless service to his fellow-man, to people in need, and to his king. He distributes very generously almost all the gifts received for services rendered at Heorot. His death in combat in Denmark would have brought no calamity to others. But later in the poem, with 50 years of kingship behind him, Beowulf had a huge responsibility to his nation. And he let his nation down. How did it happen? First of all, he discontinued his acknowledgement of God as the source of his strength and good fortune in combat (Who made available to him the sword for killing Grendel’s mother?). Secondly, the hero becomes more selfish in the second part of the poem: As Beowulf goes to meet the dragon, does he mention the