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Compare And Contrast Beowulf And The Iliad

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Through the stories of Beowulf and The Iliad have introduced the values and traits of a hero. Beowulf begins with a loathsome creature names Grendel who wreaks havoc on the Danes. Having heard of the monster Grendel, interested the strength and courage of a man named Beowulf as he commanded to have ships get ready immediately. "Proclaiming that he 'd go to that famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, Now when help was needed" (Beowulf 114-116). This demonstrates the Selflessness Beowulf bears as he rescues the Danes. The introduction of Achilles in The Iliad materializes while he is in a vulnerable state of mine. He has been set on the course of revenge from the offensive loss of friend and comrade, Patroclus. Achilles is unforgiving …show more content…

Beowulf wears no armor to fight against Grendel 's talons and finds just the right place to strike the monster. Achilles will not flee as Hector runs from him, he pursues until Hector gives up. He then finds the only spot that will kill Hector and throws a spear right through his throat just missing his windpipe. Both hero 's showed there traits on the field of battle.
Although the two heroes have their similarity 's they also have differences. Beowulf is Selfless many times in Beowulf he helps the Danes every time they have a problem. One time when Grendel 's mother returned he decided to fight her to prevent any further loss and grief to the Danes. Achilles on the other hand is selfish. Instead of sparing hectors parents from seeing their dead son, he dragged it passed them, because he felt like it. Achilles and Beowulf come to a disagreement between selflessness and selfishness,
Beowulf is a very goof hero. He has been a really awesome hero. He has lots of good values like bravery and selflessness. Also he is very even temperd. He is a great example of the vaules that are good today, he does things for the right reasons and is liked by many people. He fits the bill of sociteds modern

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The epic poem Beowulf may be the oldest surviving long poem in Old English and it is commonly cited as one of the most important works of Old English literature. There are still heroes of Beowulf's basic type today. Some heroes in popular culture act basically like Beowulf even though they were created over a thousand years later, even though they may act very differently from Beowulf. In the movie, Stars Wars, Luke Skywalker has many similarities to Beowulf and their heroism. From the start, Beowulf showed hero characteristics.

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The heroic protagonist Beowulf, from the epic poem “Beowulf,” can be viewed as a righteous, altruistic hero rather than an egotistic person. One occurrence of his selflessness can be found within the conversation between Beowulf and Hrothgar. Beowulf explains that if he defeats Grendal, then he prefers that the victory news will not be spread throughout the land. Beowulf proclaims,”I beg one favor—refuse me not,/ Since I come thus faring from far-off lands—/ That I may alone with my loyal earls,/ With this hardy company, cleanse Hart-Hall”(333-336).

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Beowulf and achillies are two heroes who started off as selfish but ended up being selfless heroes. Achilles is a Greek hero who feels sorry for himself. He refrains from fighting to spite the king. But when his cousin dies while wearing his armor to bring the army more morale that all changes. Achilles then joins the fight wearing armor forged by the

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Heroes are a rare and amazing phenomenon. Two heroes that stand out in literature are Beowulf and Achilles. Beowulf is a Herot who is a selfless, even tempered, fate fighting warriors who saves his kingdom numerous times from threats, such as monsters and enemies. Achilles is a Greek, selfish warriors in Greece but has a hot temper and is often unforgiving. Achilles wants to help take the kingdom of Troy, but doesn’t agree with the war.

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When most people think of a hero, they picture a typically strong man with courageous actions and noble qualities. As people read Beowulf, they will begin to realize that Beowulf is the exact figure of what a hero should be. From defeating Grendel to helping the kingdom, Beowulf continues to show his heroic acts. If it weren’t for him, Grendel would have destroyed the kingdom. Beowulf’s strength, courage, and nobility proves that he is a hero.

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Beowulf is the perfect hero, both tragic and epic. He is larger than life with his impressive strength and drive that helps him defeat an assortment of monsters, such as Grendel and Grendel's mother. His overconfidence and pride makes him a tragic hero. In lines 678-684, Beowulf boldly states, "When it comes to fighting, I count myself as dangerous as Grendel. No weapons... unarmed he shall

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They both go through the “Hero’s Journey,” and display many characteristics of a hero. Beowulf, however, better fits the qualities of an epic hero due to his unselfish personality, his fearlessness, and his nobility. One reason Beowulf is the better epic hero is because his intentions and motives were selfless. He always fought to save the people, not for glory or treasures.

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Alexander Hamilton once said, “There is a certain Enthusiasm in liberty that makes Human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.” Beowulf is an epic poem in which the main character Beowulf did acts of service, but he fought for those who couldn’t fight. The overall theme of good versus evil in Beowulf had Beowulf dealing with challenges that no ordinary man would be able to handle unless they were a true epic hero. Throughout the poem Beowulf proves to be an epic hero by his strength, bravery, and sacrifice.

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The first quality they share is courage. The two heroes demonstrate their courage in a different way. Beowulf is a hero with a lot of courage because he fights without weapons. He does not believe in using weapons to kill people. Beowulf is described as: “Dripped with his enemies blood”.

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I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me” (2511-2515). In conclusion, Beowulf is an epic hero. Although he made risky decisions, he did them for his people. He possessed the qualities of a hero; bravery, loyalty and fearlessness.

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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.

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Christopher Reeves once said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Although Beowulf was human, he was not an ordinary individual, hero, or king, for he was a man who displayed superhuman qualities in his efforts to protect the Danish and Geatish people. Beowulf, who was established Geatish warrior that spent his life in battle, showed these extraordinary characteristics that made him an epic hero, one who possesses superhuman, almost god-like qualities. Being constantly on a quest, risking his life for glory and the greater good of society, and being superiorly intelligent, courageous and strong are the three most important reasons why Beowulf deserves such a notable

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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.”

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Not only have we seen brute strength, honorable courage, and admirable loyalty shine through beowulf, Beowulf also possess a great trait not many others have; his will to fight to the death, or self sacrifice. Not once throughout the story did Beowulf ever turn down a battle. Not once did he fear or flee his enemy. Not once did he ever give up even if death had him by the throat causing his mind to flood nothing but fearful thoughts and feelings throughout his body. Every battle Beowulf fought, he fought as if it was his last and that is what truly makes him the great warrior he is.

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Christopher Reeve (AKA the 1978 superman) said that, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles”. Both Beowulf and Modern day heroes are similar in that way in that they fight for the common good of people. That quote from Christopher Reeves on what a modern day hero is, also applies to the epic hero qualities that Beowulf has. Similarly Beowulf and a modern day hero defeat an evil so that good can prevail. Some examples are, Beowulf Slaying Grendel and Grendel's mother to save the land of the Danes, and soldiers fighting enemies that threaten the lives of a country, and police officers putting criminals behind bars.

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