What is a hero? To some it is someone who has a supernatural ability and fights crime. To others a hero would be someone who is courageous and compassionate, just like Beowulf. Beowulf fought the dragon knowing the expense of his own life and he is always caring for his soldiers as well as his people. But the question asked by so many is “why do civilizations desire to have a hero?” As a result of chaos, poverty, and famine civilizations believe that a warrior, such as Beowulf, will solve all of their problems. Many people have the opportunity to see a hero, but what they do not see is the process that helped them mold into that person. For instance, is a hero born a hero? Or does he have a mentor guiding him to get to