"The Hero and the Theme"

"The poem's theme and the heor's goal are one." George Clark made this statement in his analysis of Beowulf in regards to its hero and theme. Many scholars have studied this poem over the years. Debates rage about who the author(s) was, the purpose of the poem, and how the hero and theme are related. After analyzing all views on the argument, Clark came to the decisiosn that theme and hero were one in the same. After reading his analysis, I find that I am in full agreement. It could be stated that Beowulf's goal was to fulfill the theme of the poem. The poem's theme is to lead a life worth remembering. This life is one of success and honor. Every man should strive to live up to his father and to avoid shaming his children. In my eyes, this is exactly what Beowulf did. He wished to fill the gigantic shoes of his father and uncle. At the same time, he wanted those around him to remeber him kindly. Honor and chilvary were the ultimate goals for Beowulf and the theme.

George Clark quotes Kathryn Hume as stating "'We know too little of his everyday humanity, his normal human feelings, to be able to see him as an extension of ourselves.'" I could not disagree more with this statement. I view Beowulf as the perfect hero. Humes is stating that there is no personal connection between Beowulf and the reader, to me this is what makes him perfect. Choose your favorite hero and I guarantee you, it would be a hard thing to find someone in agreement. Humes is right, there is nothing specific to connect hero and reader. At the same time, there is nothing to separtate the hero from the reader. What one reader connects with, another may not. Any past struggles or emotions are alluded to so broadly in the text that anyone can connect with it. Beowulf is expressed as a typical man. The only exaggerated aspect is his strength. Beyond that, Beowulf could represent any man anywhere. The fact that Beowulf lives up to the poem's theme, indicates that all men are capable of such a feat. Beowulf's heroic qualities are obtainable by the common man. That is what makes him such a wonderful hero for me, he is not Superman. He is a regular man living life in the best way imaginable.
Beowulf 's theme is the same as its excellent hero. Beowulf does not have an obscure theme that is hard to find. Nor does it have a hero that exceeds normal expectations. Beowulf teaches its readers to lead a life full of honor and chilvary. More importantly, it teaches that any man is capable of just such a feat. Most people today think of Superman, Batman, or Spider-Man when they think of fantasy heroes; Beowulf certainly does not make the list. But he should. Today's society often looks for an escape when they are reading. However, the escape is short lived. Reading of the grand hero may give the reader enough courage to face the problem he ran from, but it will do little to carry him through life. Beowulf is not a momentary escape. Beowulf provides its readers with the tools to handle any battle. It gives the reader the sense that no challenge is to great for the ordinary man. Beowulf gives power to the ordinary man. It makes him the hero.