Over time, heroes have been stereotypically described as men who possess qualities such as courage, strength, leadership and determination. Certainly many of these characteristics have changed over time. In modern society, heroes can simply be ordinary people who sacrifice their own happiness for the well-being of others and do their best to create change in the world. Beowulf, an extraordinary warrior of the Anglo-Saxon period, is an epic hero for his pride, strength and courage. He fought many battles to protect the Danes from chaos. Angelina Jolie, like Beowulf, is a heroine because she defeats every obstacle to help and fight inequality. Heroes don't wait in one place. Heroes go beyond borders to provide hope and help to those who have none. Heroes even make the sacrifice of leaving the comfort of their homeland to fight for a good cause. The brave warrior Beowulf left his native Sweden to defend the Danes from the monster Grendel "who haunted the moors, the wild marshes, and had made his home in a hell..." (Beowulf 17-18). He promised the king of Denmark Hrothgar that he would kill the powerful monster so that the people in the mead hall could live in peace and have justice. Beowulf's courage overcomes every obstacle and his strength defeats every power. Even Angelina Jolie left her rich American state to help less fortunate countries, such as Afghanistan and Cambodia. Jolie is dedicated "to education and healthcare in Cambodia" and has donated more than "one million dollars for Afghan refugees" (Mayell). Dedicate hope to mothers, fathers and children who have suffered persecution and violence. Heroes don't need to wait for justice to come for his... middle of paper... Life goes on whether people act like cowards or heroes. The world can be better if everyone decides to be a hero. Works Cited Beowulf. Holt elements of literature. Ed G Kylene Beers and Lee Odeel. 6th ed. Austin: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, 2008. 21-48. Print.Mayell, Hillary. "Angelina Jolie on her role as a UN refugee." National Geographic news reporting on your world every day. National Geographic Society., June 2003. Network. October 20, 2013. “Transcript: CNN Interviews Angelina Jolie.” edition.cnn.com. Cable News Network, February 2008. October 20, 2013.Veselinovic, Milena. "Five reasons why we love Angelina Jolie." Women leaders. Cable News Network., May. 2013. Web. 20 October 2013."World Refugee Day: Angelina Jolie calls for greater understanding of the plight of refugees." unrefugees.org. USA for UNHCR., April 2013. Web. 20 October 2013.