What is a hero? Or what defines heroism? "True heroism is remarkable sober, very un- dramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost." (Arthur Ashe) In the story of Beowulf, we can see the virtue of heroism in great vigor. Beowulf is viewed as a perfect hero. He possesses the true and distinctive qualities that formulate a hero. Beowulf expresses his true valor of self-sacrificing in his endeavor to kill the monster Grendel as well as Grendel's mother and the fire breathing dragon.

A hero today is one who risks his own life in order to save the lives of others. He will go to the ends of the earth to fight the most horrific battle for one small person or even the soul of one person. A hero is one who, in his...