Pilgrim Vs Beowulf

The Greater Modern Hero

For years, people have told stories about heroes undertaking epic journeys and overcome overwhelm feats. The Webster’s New World Dictionary defines a hero as “any person, especially a man, admired for courage, nobility, etc” (298). A modern hero exhibits not only courage and nobility but, determination, compassion, loyalty, and sacrifice. Beowulf is a better example of this quality than Dante the Pilgrim.

Beowulf is more courageous than Dante the Pilgrim. A hero confronts any conflict fearlessly. Beowulf exhibits this multiple time in the poem. He defeated Grendel (Heaney and Donoghue, 22) and Grendel’s mother (Heaney and Donoghue, 41). With the assistance of Wiglaf, old King Beowulf killed the dragon with a knife.

Beowulf takes on treacherous enemies, never giving up. Even in his old age, Beowulf was open to any challenge. When his people was threatened by the dragon, Beowulf declared, “I marched ahead of him, always there at the front of the line; and I shall fight like that for as long as I live, as long as this sword shall last” (Heaney and Donoghue, 63). Here, Beowulf proclaims that he will continue to fight for his people until his last breath. His determination also makes him an honorable leader. On the hand, Dante does not display this level of determination. Dante’s quest required little determination from Dante. He was guided and protected through his quest.

Beowulf and Dante the Pilgrim are very compassionate characters. Beowulf has so much compassion for his people that he fights for them without expecting anything in return. Beowulf not only shows compassion for his people but, also for his enemies. He refuses to take an unfair advantage against Grendel saying, “He has no idea of the art of war, of shield or swords-play…unarmed he shall face me if face me he dares.” (Heaney and Donoghue,

He came to the aid of Hrothgar, who settle the feud between Beowulf’s father and the Wulfing. Beowulf’s father, Ecgtheow, pledged oaths of allegiance. Beowulf honored the alliance years later when he went to fight Grendel (Heaney and Donoghue, 14). Another example of Beowulf’s loyalty is when Queen Hygd offered Beowulf the kingship over her son, Heardred, Beowulf refused to deny Heardred his birthright and gave the young king his loyalty (Heaney and Donoghue, 60). In The Inferno, Dante also displayed loyalty in a way. His loyalty is not as evident as the loyalty Beowulf displays, nonetheless, he was loyal to Virgil. He listens and follows Virgil’s