Hector Ruiz Professor Poxon MRS 151 3 November 2017 Beowulf Throughout the story of Beowulf, there seems to appear an ethical code for what makes a good king and good warrior. There exists a fine line between them. A warrior fights for his land and directly earns the glory, whereas a king also earns his glory but through his warriorsi who earned the victory. Although they both do share characteristics like loyalty, determination, and care for their nation; king can only go a certain extent because they still have a nation to govern. The Warrior fight for the king to keep the nation safe while the king keeps it stable.
Beowulf attempted to comfort Hrothgar and the warriors by exclaiming, “Let your sorrow end! It is better for us all to avenge our friends, not mourn them forever”. He then aims to convince Hrothgar that “for the glory of his name, fame after death is the noblest of goals”. Beowulf believes it is worth dying for a good
While both characters want to fight with honor and bring greatness to their name and kingdom, there are differences between the two warriors. Beowulf is known by all, loved by all, and encourage by all, there is not a battle that he cannot fight. Sir Gawain, on the other hand, had to convince King Arthur in order to fight the Green Knight. In convincing the king, he explained that no one would miss him and could die without hurting anyone. During the times of Anglo-Saxons, warriors believed in fate and Beowulf accepted his destiny with honor; this is different from Sir Gawain, as he was christian and did not believe death was his destiny if he died in battle.
Achilles does not die with nobility or honor. Paris shot Achilles in the heel. This happened because no mortal could kill him in a battle. On the other hand Beowulf dies in the battle with the dragon, which was a big scene and a big deal to his people because he died saving them.
It 's easy to flee a battle, but it 's hard to stay knowing death is a definitive factor. Beowulf shows that he is willing to die for his glory and to protect the Danes in every battle he faces. Against Grendel, Grendels mother, and the dragon. During his battle with
Their differences can be categorized in their amount of patience, how they hold themselves around others, and their personal actions. Although both great warriors, Beowulf and Lancelot’s methods when acting on a mission differ. Lancelot shows a great amount of patience when
Beowulf is only thinking about himself. Performing these acts alone just to get the fame forms the quality of selfishness in Beowulf. Beowulf is putting all of his strength to be credited as a hero, but he displays acts of selfishness which marks him as an insignificant
Beowulf is more heroic than King Arthur because Beowulf’s achievements are more extraordinary, is backed by better motives, and has more supernatural aid. Beowulf’s achievements are more extraordinary than King Arthur’s achievements. King Arthur was successful in killing Sir Mordred, “but he also suffered a mortal wound” (“Face” par. 7). Arthur did achieve succeed in killing his major foe, but in doing so he had to pay a price and was badly wounded. His success in slaying Mordred is extraordinary for his cause because Mordred was trying to overthrow his kingship in Camelot.
Beowulf and Arthur were respected by their people. Arthur’s people always looked up to him because he was a great ruler. Beowulf had the respect from all of his men, which can be clearly seen when his men sat by the bloody lake until he returned because they knew he would return. Gilgamesh and Arthur are similar in the way that we learn of their end. In both Gilgamesh and Arthur, readers do not know for sure if they die.
Compare/Contrast Essay Beowulf is an epic hero, who is a strong and powerful man who comes from Sweden to Denmark to help a village that is being attacked by a man-eating monster named Grendel. Arthur, is a romantic hero who is the courageous king of Camelot who is a devoted leader and will do anything to protect his kingdom and people. Even though Beowulf and Arthur are two different heroes, they both share similar traits such as devoted followers, the use of magical weapons, and courageous traits throughout the story. Both epic and romantic heroes had devoted followers that helped them throughout battles. Beowulf was very strong, but when the people of Denmark thought he needed help.
But he knew the greatest threat came knocking at his door for a fight that will live on being told for eternity. Beowulf sacrificed his own life for those around him, “Quickly, the dragon cam at him, encouraged as Beowulf as Beowulf fell back; its breath fared, and he suffered, wrapped around in swirling flames- a king, before, but now a Beaton warrior” (lines 687-691). In the end Beowulf fought till the end fighting not only for himself but for his people. He fought like a king until his death. Beowulf gave the ultimate sacrifice to save his people.
In the epic Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf is depicted as a heroic figure who fights monsters and defends the weak. During its time, Beowulf would be considered a great hero, however in today 's standards Beowulf would only be considered a great warrior. That’s because a hero should value the lives of the people and not seek to be rewarded. Instead, Beowulf committed heroic acts for his own selfish reasons and never shows to values the lives of the people. From fighting Grendel to slaying the dragon, Beowulf only fought because he value the fame and fortune that comes along with those accomplishments.
The first similarity between Beowulf and King Arthur are that they are both very brave. Beowulf traveled all the way to Denmark after hearing the plight their people were going through. He didn’t even know anything other than what he was told. As if that wasn’t brave Beowulf went on to never back down from any monster whether it be Grendel, Grendel's mother, or the dragon he didn’t ever run from a fight. While King Arthur didn’t do go around killing all these monsters he was brave in other aspects.
Beowulf possessed the poised demeanor necessary to defeat all evils by the arrogant swing of his sword. The commitment shown by lending his life to the welfare of his people was imperative in order to be called a flawless warrior. Beowulf embodied the determination that Anglo-Saxons saw as unmeasurably valuable. If nothing more than just fiction, Beowulf is the ideal hero of the people from who he originated. “They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.”
Beowulf risked his life multiple times by battling Grendel and Grendel’s mother to save the people of Denmark. He also embarks on a battle with a dragon as an old man ascending on the Geats Throne. Each battle Beowulf fought has all been for the safety of his people. Although the Knight did not battle as a deed for his people, he also is viewed as a humble person his battles were for a purpose greater than himself. The knight never talks about his brave and valorous deeds.
