Hero or Not?

What is a hero? Is it someone that saves a kitten? Someone that stops a building from burning? Someone that makes you feel better? Someone that causes you to change? Everyone has their own definition of a hero. It really depends on where you are in life. In my life, I have many heroes. Is that even possible? Actually, I take that back. But in Grendel by John Gardner, Grendel doesn't want to believe that he isn't the hero. He doesn't want to be the bad guy even though that is who he is born to be. When he talks to the dragon, the dragon tells him to "seek out gold and sit on it" (74). Basically, the dragon is telling him that everything he will do is pointless and there is no reason to do anything. He tells Grendel he should get his gold aka his pride and greed, and sit on it meaning he should not let it go and keep it for himself symbolizing greed. I don't see Grendel the way the dragon does. Yes I agree with the dragon when he says to Grendel "If you withdraw, you'll instantly be replaced" (73). But this is where Grendel fails in my mind. He should continue with his mindset of not wanting to kill for fun, but killing for food and killing based on need. There is always something that is going to push the people to "poetry, science, religion" and "all that makes them what they are" (73). Grendel is a hidden hero. Without him, the people wouldn't be progressing. He is the hero that helps them become better at what they need to do in life for themselves. Aren't heroes supposed to help share knowledge that will make life better? Isn't he making their life better? I was talking to my friend about it and he helped me think about it in a way I wouldn't have thought about normally. And now I'm changing my thoughts again! There are heroes in everyone's life. Everyone passes on information that helps someone continue on their journey. Isn't a hero who is done with their journey the old wise man in another's journey? *MINDBLOWN!* I literally just had a light-bulb moment. It makes complete sense! Yes! The advisor in the new or main journey is at the end of his or her own journey! That's how the information gets passed down. Therefore, the dragon is at the end of his journey, and he is telling Grendel how he thinks life is about being "found in the frustrations of established order" (67). Grendel can either take it, or leave it. In Grendel's journey, he takes it, but leaves it--if that makes any logical sense. Grendel struggles with it because he doesn't want to be like the dragon, but he sees his point. He goes back and forth between wanting to kill mechanically and not wanting to kill at all. That's a major part of his journey--whether is be a heroic one or not. But keep in mind, a hero causes a change...Grendel has caused a change.