Similarities Between Beowulf And Other Side Of The Sky

“Heroism is not without sacrifice, for it is in the face of personal loss and adversity that the true measure of one's courage and strength is revealed.”

The epic poem Beowulf and the memoir Other Side of the Sky may appear to be vastly different literary works, yet they share a common thread that ties them together. Both texts explore the theme of the hero's journey. Beowulf, an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poem, is a tale of a heroic warrior who battles monsters to save his people. On the other hand, Other Side of the Sky is a memoir by Farah Ahmedi, an Afghan woman who struggles to survive and find a new home after a landmine accident in her war-torn country. In both Beowulf and Other Side of the Sky the authors illustrate heroism, and personal

The epic poem Beowulf champions heroism and fame as a defining quality of greatness. The poet writes, “He who can earn it should fight for the glory of his name; fame after death is the noblest of goals.” (Beowulf 11.260-13). The repeated sounds of the “f” and “g” consonants in “fight for the glory” and “glory of his name” respectively, creates a sense of weight and importance to these concepts, highlighting their significance to the poem's society. Furthermore, the use of parallelism in “the glory of his name” and “the noblest of goals” reinforces the idea that achieving the hero title and fame after death are the ultimate goals for a warrior. The pursuit of heroism is a noble endeavor that is worth fighting for, emphasizing the idea that one's legacy is just as important as their deeds in life. Similarly, the memoir Other Side of the Sky also explores the concept of heroism, albeit in a different context and cultural setting. Heroism is demonstrated through unwavering resilience and courage. Farah says, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” (Ahmedi 144). The use of metaphor and antithesis in this statement creates a powerful and memorable image that emphasizes the selflessness and sacrifice that are inherent to heroism. By comparing a hero's life to something bigger than oneself, the author suggests that heroism

Personal loss is a pervasive element throughout the epic poem Beowulf, serving as a poignant reminder of the transitory nature of life. The poet writes, “I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning.” (Beowulf 18.250-21). Beowulf's use of repetition with the phrase “I risked my life” emphasizes the extent to which he was willing to put himself in danger for the sake of his people, even from a young age. The fact that he continues to pursue dangerous battles even in his old age further underscores his willingness to sacrifice his own well-being for the greater good. Additionally, Beowulf's use of the phrase “for the glory of winning” suggests that his personal sacrifice is driven not by personal gain, but by a desire to bring honor and protection to his people. The poet highlights the idea that heroism requires personal sacrifice and a willingness to put oneself in danger for the sake of a greater cause. Despite being separated by centuries and cultural differences, the theme of personal loss is a common thread that connects the epic poem Beowulf and the memoir Other Side of the Sky. The experiences Farah goes through illustrates how personal loss can test one's resilience