The field of medieval literature is full of epics, poems and books telling the stories of great heroes intended to inspire, entertain and direct the lives of their audiences . The tales of Beowulf, the Norse hero, describe a man who strives to kill monsters for personal glory. Sir Gawain in England depicts a man guided by the code of chivalry and Hamlet tells the story of a Danish prince who seeks revenge for the murder of his father, the king. Throughout the period of what is considered medieval history, the definition of a hero changed significantly. Beowulf was written around 700 AD by the Anglo-Saxons, a Germanic tribe who had recently landed and made England their home. However, the events of the anonymous, orally transmitted tale known as Beowulf take place in Scandinavia. The main protagonist, Beowulf, is called by the King of the Danes, Hrothgar, because he has heard of his great exploits and believes that he is the only one capable of killing the monster Grendel. Beowulf grants this request and kills Grendel and his mother to spare the Danes. However, Hamlet's popularity has not faded over the years. Hamlet continues to be seen as a character with a justified cause and one that the vast majority of society can relate to, in short; an ordinary hero. It seems that the characteristics of a hero have changed not only in literature but also in society over the years. The criteria changes as a culture changes and the definition of a hero changes with it. The best lesson that can be learned from the study of these medieval texts is that heroism is relative to society and its values ​​and that this evolves over time. What was considered a hero in Beowulf's time may not have been treated with as much respect in the time Hamlet was written. The concept of hero is not solid, it is not constant, it always is.