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Essay / Hero Comparison: Beowulf and Lyndon B. Johnson
The definition of a hero is someone who is recognized for endless acts of bravery, selflessness, courage, and strength of character. Ask a young child if they recognize any heroes in their life and common answers are usually moms, cops, firefighters, etc. Throughout this essay the reader will see a comparison and contrast between Beowulf and Lyndon B. Johnson. One hero did it because he loved people, and the other did it for his glory and fame. Many people seem to believe that a hero is someone you see on the news every day or someone who is recognized around the world. Lyndon B. Johnson was not that kind of hero. He was a man who made the right decisions throughout his life and presidency. Johnson was a man who gave others, especially African Americans and those suffering from poverty, a second chance at life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayJohnson was a strong supporter of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Civil Rights Act granted African American men the right to vote. He helped end discrimination against African American men in voting. He helped pave the way for future generations of minorities and gave them a voice. Johnson, along with many other activists, fought for and passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Johnson not only passed the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but he also helped many Americans find a way to fight poverty. Johnson developed two major programs that are still widely used in the United States today. He expanded both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid: is a program that helps people without a lot of money pay for health care. Medicare: is a system that provides health insurance to people over 65 and certain young people with disabilities. With these two programs, Johnson gave a sense of hope to less fortunate Americans. Altogether, all of these acts constituted key elements of the “Great Society.” LBJ was so dedicated to the great society and passing bills that he even ignored his own health and even his family. Beowulf, the hero of the story travels from his kingdom to the kingdom of Denmark. He comes to save them from the local monster, Grendel, who has been terrorizing them for twelve years now. "Twelve winters of sorrow for Hrothgar, king/ Of the Danes the sorrow heaped at his gate/ By hell-forged hands His misery leaped/ The seas were told and sung to all/ In the ears of men" (147-151). Beowulf felt the need to give the man, Hrothgar, to whom he owed a family debt, a peaceful life. He wanted to restore peace to Denmark. Additionally, Beowulf's goal was to "go big or go home", which meant he was more than willing. risk his life(bravery and courage) to restore the peace that was taken from him by Grendel When we crossed the sea, my comrades/ And I already knew that everything/ My goal was this: to win victory. good will/ Of your people or die in battle, pressed/ Under Grendel's fierce grip. Let me live in greatness/ And courage, or here in this hall welcome/ My death!" (632-638). Beowulf is not depicted as a man who flees death and all battle. He takes them all both by the horn and still manages to get away with it He is very brave Although Beowulf is idolized as a heroic figure, he shows his vain nature by seeking glory only for himself..