Beowulf Case - Beowulf and Barack Obama

People who are considered to have heroic qualities reflect the values of their society. Beowulf and Barrack Obama are both heroes in their respective societies each with qualities such as bravery, loyalty, and courage that help them be the leaders they are. A hero is a hero, so even though these 2 men are from completely different time eras, they are both very similar in the things they do that make people follow them and be the heroes everyone look up too.

One quality that both Beowulf and Barack Obama both share is bravery. Beowulf had to be the bravest leader of his time. How could you not follow a man who defeated the colossal Grendel? "He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone's answer" (450). This is a quote from when Beowulf is fighting Grendel's mother. It shows that Beowulf was fearless in everything he did and he was going to take on Grendel's mother even if he had to do it all by himself. Most people who run away at the sight of a beast like that, but no Beowulf. Barrack Obama also shows great bravery being the President of the United States. Every day, Obama must make choices that everyone depends on him for. Being the president, you have a target on your back, so you must be brave in everything you do. People follow what they see from their leader, so Beowulf and Barack Obama must lead by example.

Another quality that both Beowulf and Barack Obama both have in common is loyalty. Beowulf lived and died to protect his kingdom and all of his fellow Geats. Even if it meant risking his life, Beowulf would do whatever it takes to prove his loyalty and this rubbed off on all of the people in his society. "In the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one" (156). This quote just shows how loyal Beowulf really was to his kingdom. Beowulf was willing to fight whatever monster threatened his kingdom at all. Beowulf was so loyal, that he travelled all the way to help the Danes with all of the problems they were having. In order to be the President, you must be loyal, and that is exactly what president Obama is. Before Obama was elected, he made many promises to the people that voted for him. Now that he is in office, Barack Obama must stay loyal to these people and fulfill all the things he promised them. By doing all of the things he promised, people become loyal to Obama because they know they can trust him with whatever he says.

The most important quality that Beowulf and Barack Obama share is perseverance. Throughout the story Beowulf, Beowulf must fight many ferocious beasts that greatly outmatch him. No matter how big of an underdog or overmatched he may be, Beowulf perseveres through the situation and always refuses to give up. "If weapons were useless he'd use his hands, the strength in his fingers" (489). In his quote, Beowulf is fighting Grendel's mother and at this point of the battle