Beowulf Vs King Arthur Research Paper

Dylan Callahan

Ms. Morris

English 12

8 December 2016

Beowulf vs. King Arthur A hero is defined by their achievements and acts of heroism. Each character, person, or event can be deemed more heroic than the other by looking at the motives and way they achieve the act. Beowulf and King Arthur can both be considered a hero in their time. Beowulf and Arthur are both considered to be a hero. 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. When Beowulf is faced with one of his major opponents, he is not injured like

At the end of Le Morte D’Arthur, King Arthur had Bedivere throw “the sword… and there came an arm and an hand above the water and clutched it… and then vanished… into the water” (Malory 192). Arthur has supernatural aid through his sword, Excalibur, while Beowulf has supernatural aid through his himself. Beowulf is stronger than King Arthur because he does not have to rely on an object for supernatural ability. Beowulf showed his superhuman strength in the Battle with Grendel, when he held the monster in his grasp until “the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped, muscle and bone split and broke” (Raffel 51). Beowulf was so strong he was able to hold Grendel in his grasp and rip his arm off, defeating him. Beowulf has more supernatural aid because he has superhuman strength, and can kill the monster with his bare hands, while King Arthur relied only on his sword to aid