Heroism

In my opinion, one of the most important characteristics a hero can posses is complete selflessness.  The hero has to commit acts of heroism for the sole purpose of helping others, and for no personal gain whatsoever.  In the poem Beowulf, Beowulf is presented as the hero, and his heroic actions and deeds are described.  The poem tells of how Beowulf came to the rescue of the many people in Hrothgar's kingdom, and saved them from the evil monster Grendel.  Then, it tells of how Beowulf tracked Grendel's mother to her underwater cave, and also defeated her there.  Finally, in Beowulf's final battle, he chooses to fight the dragon alone in an attempt to save his own kingdom.  The poem portrays Beowulf as a hero because of his "heroic" deeds where he always came to the rescue of helpless people and used his incredible strength to prevail.  Now, in question 14 of the socratic seminar questions, it asks what the poem teaches about the qualities of a hero, and a villian.  The poem teaches that the qualities of a villian are simply to oppose the hero.  Also, a villian has to be causing some harm against humans.  I completely agree with the poem's version of a villian.  However, I do not agree with what the poem teaches about heroes.  In the poem, a hero is portrayed as someone who does heroic acts, and saves others, as well as recieves the benefits of fame, and fortune afterwards.  This is shown by the fact that news of Beowulf's deeds travel from kingdom to kingdom, and when Hrothgar gives him the gifts after defeating Grendel.  This leads me to believe that Beowulf may have had the intention to save others, as well as the desire to gain fame, and fortune for himself, which makes him not completely selfless, like a hero should be.  In the real world, the closest to a hero that I have ever seen anyone get is the firefighters that went into the twin towers on 9/11.  Those men went into burning towers, and risked their lives for the people that were trapt in them.  Their only intention was to save those trapt people, and that to me makes them completely selfless, and heroic.