Courage, feats, nobility and selflessness all contribute to a great hero. However, even the bravest of heroes have flaws. For some heroes, like Beowulf and Roland, these flaws result in their downfall, but the more prudent heroes, such as Perceval, learn how to overcome their weaknesses and flaws. The three heroes in the poems Beowulf, The Song of Roland, and Perceval: The Story of the Grail, all show heroic traits, but their strengths also carry hidden weaknesses. Beowulf, a man of great strength and might, shows his heroism by protecting the people of Heorot, but also fights “for the glory of winning.” He alleviates the innocent people from a terrible, mysterious evil, but he never truly satisfies his hunger for victory. Even fifty years past his prime, Beowulf, not content with his spectacular defeat of both Grendel and Grendel’s mother, hungers for more battles to win. Beowulf sees a conflict and aims to resolve it, no matter what obstacles stand in his way. However his need for glory ends up getting the better of him, and his final battle with the dragon ends up in their mutual destruction. …show more content…
However, his pride causes the death of thousands of innocent french soldiers, purely because of his desire to show no weakness. Several characters early on in the poem, primarily his stepfather Ganelon, criticize his unwavering hubris and overconfidence. In fierce battle, Roland chooses not to blow the olifant to summon help from Charlemagne even when the French soldiers desperately need it, solely for the cause of not appearing weak and in need of assistance. This rash decision ends up costing Roland not only his own life, but also the lives of thousands of innocent