That thing about Beowulf that was abunch of quotes

This article's basic focus is on The Hero and the Theme, and starts off with a bombardment of quotes and opinions from who I assume to be credible authors or literary critics, who are contrasting on the topic of what is central purpose of Beowulf, the Hero or the Theme, and how different angles can see it. As many different quoted persons have different views about if Beowulf can truly be a hero for the people if his emotions, inner thoughts, or basic views are not properly displayed. Most say, like Kathryn Hume, that he shows no "private thoughts or personal hopes or misgivings," and that he is just too superhuman to be able to relate to the audience. While others argue that there is insight on the hero, through the poetry, storytelling, and his crude sense of humor. Then, on the complete opposite end of the block, there is a name I can recognize, Tolkien, who says that the story is less about the Hero, per say, and more on the overall Theme, "the threat to human order posed by the monstrous ... Tolkien's Beowulf is significant and signifies, but has no character at all." I can finally interject and agree on something. I find this to be very true. Beowulf is given little to no character throughout the story, besides the fact that he is a big, giant guy that can break stuff and wants to do so to become famous( He would make a good wrestler).
As I struggle through the rest of this article, I see countless references to Beowulf's ancestors and recollections of past wars made, parts of Beowulf that also had me struggling to read through. I find this to be nothing more than just the importance of family, the importance of background. Just like anyone in today's society keeps track of their families history, or wishes to go back and find out who their great great great grand uncle was, this drive to know and either love or hate one's legacy knows no limits in time. It is quite evident, that history was important to the characters in Beowulf, because of them going back and telling stories again and again and again that had nothing whatsoever to do with the main plot of the story. It reminds me of and old man remembering the good old days, his memory jolted my some odd reference and goes off on one of his tangents about how "chocolate only used to cost one wheat penny", or what adventure they had with their childhood chums. But anyway, this is still seen today in society, the need to tell stories of past generations and any great tale someone can think of involving old uncle Tom.
The last bit of this article deals with the "monstrous" party that is being fought against by the "champion of right". It mentions the Irony that the narrator puts forth in the battle of Grendel and Beowulf, how the creature comes forth, comments "contrasting the unsuspecting monster's intentions to feast his fill on the hall's sleepers with God's power to thwart him...with tough luck and tough warrior awaiting him there." There is a sense of sad irony as Grendel enters the hall, and the fight taken place is that of the classic Good VS. Evil standards, where Grendel is basically beaten before he starts. In contrast, the battle with his mother is incredibly different. Where upon Grendel's mother is out seeking revenge, and is not entirely described as a monstrosity, and this reaction of seeking revenge for a fallen child is a common practice in Anglo-Saxon culture. Grendel's mother is almost humanized in her reaction and being dealt with in the story. And the battle with her greatly contrasts the battle with Grendel, where victory seemed instant. With his mother, the fight seemed to worsen and worsen at every turn. Only at the last second does Beowulf manage to win the battle.
This is how the Article basically sums up everything, " The poem's theme and the hero's goal are one." This... is a rather abrupt end, and is rather too much of a closed one in my opinion. I would rather side with Tolkien's views of the poem, where Beowulf is more of the messenger for the Theme than the theme itself, which focuses more on the fight of the monstrous things in life.
At least that's what I have to say.

really pissed because I forgot about this until 20 minutes ago...."October" blog

Heroes...
Clearly, if I was one, I would not be in this reoccurring problem such as forgetting about assignments until its too late... but a true hero needs to man up and bite the bullet.

Heroes have been portrayed throughout history, and have survived the test of time. It is obvious that there is something that everyone loves about a hero, someone you can root for, for better or for worse. Even if the story is not very intriguing, such a Beowulf, there is still the sense of heroism, and the classic good vs. evil that brings in a crowd. After reading and discussing things like A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, it is very refreshing on the brain to read a simple good guy beats up bad guy story, and I think everyone can enjoy such a story anytime due to the appeal of the hero.

On the other hand, you can have your tragic hero, such as Oedipus. A man doomed by fate to fall to ruin. Even in a story where the hero is destined to fail, the appeal is no less. Within defeat true character shows. Seeing a hero's reaction to a downfall is still an interesting story, if not more popular. If a hero can recognize his fault and make atonement for it, in the way seen fit, and do it with honor, that is almost more heroic than slaying a dragon or giant fish.

I think that the hero is the easiest character to use to get an audience interested in a story, give them someone to route for, someone to hope for. I know that happened to me while I was reading The Power of One. Wanting to see what amazing things a hero can accomplish is a very compelling urge. This is why I think that it was one of the first types of stories, and why it is alive and thriving today.
Now if only I could get the power of super memory I would be ok...