Comparing the Characters of Beowulf and Achilles - 1291 Words

Comparing and Contrasting Beowulf and Achilles Both Beowulf and Achilles are poetic characters, who hail from different eras of history and different cultural backgrounds. While each is unique in his own way, the two heroes also share similar characteristics. This paper will compare and contrast the medieval Germanic hero Beowulf with the classical Greek hero Achilles (of Homers Iliad), and show how the two are similar and how the two are different. The first way in which both characters are similar is in the fact that they both travel from great distances to take part in a battle against some evil. In the medieval Germanic epic, Beowulf leaves his people the Geats of Scandinavia to help Hrothgar, the king of the Danish people, to kill Grendel, a monster who attacks the kings hall and devours the kings men. Beowulf slays Grendel but then must challenge Grendels mother in order to restore Hrothgars kingdom to safety. Likewise, Achilles joins the other Greeks and travels to Troy to do battle against Paris, Hector and the other Tro jans for having abducted Helen, the wife of Menelaus. Achilles performs many heroic deeds on the battleground and adds renown to his name among the Greeks. Both Beowulf and Achilles are also incredibly strong. Their powers seem, in fact, extraordinary and superhuman. For example, Beowulf has powerful lungs and is able to hold his breath for impossible lengths of time while underwater. He can swim great distances and hold his own in handShow MoreRelatedAchilles vs Beowulf compare and contrast Essay1150 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Compare and contrast Achilles vs Beowulf The way of the warriors Achilles and Beowulf were two characters that had an amazing power that made his name lives for hundreds of years. Great warriors need some to have some specific characteristics to reach their fame because we have seem in some heroes that they have gods strong, a unique way to be and goals to achieve. Comparing the character of Achilles and Beowulf who were two of the best warrior of the history we could know if there areRead MoreRevenge In Beowulf And Iliad1605 Words   |  7 Pagesthrough Beowulf and Iliad. In Beowulf, it seen through numerous characters. Revenge is a unique emotion in which is can be very motivating to accomplish a certain task, to serve for justice. In Iliad, Achilles using the feeling of Revenge to complete his journey. Comparing the two stories, vengeances is shown in both, and both stories have a unique way of related the events of the story to the events and the culture and society at the time the stories were written. Revenge in Beowulf: In Beowulf revengeRead MoreA Critical Appraisal of: Beowulf and Gilgamesh Essay examples1640 Words   |  7 PagesA Critical Appraisal of: Beowulf and Gilgamesh There are many differences and critical comparisons that can be drawn between the epics of Beowulf and Gilgamesh. Both are historical poems which shape their respected culture and both have major social, cultural, and political impacts on the development of western civilization literature and writing. Before any analysis is made, it is vital that some kind of a foundation be established so that a further, in-depth exploration of the complex natureRead MoreHero Archetypes and Epic Conventions in the Odyssey and Beowulf3110 Words   |  13 PagesHero Archetypes and Epic Conventions in The Odyssey and Beowulf It is remarkable how closely one can compare two epics that have such diverse and unique historical and cultural backgrounds. A Greek poet named Homer wrote The Odyssey sometime from BC 1400-900 during the Mycenaean Period. The epic preceding The Odyssey, called The Iliad, revolves around Achilles, the hero of the commonly known Trojan Wars. The Odyssey is a continuation of The Iliad and deals with Odysseus, another hero of the Trojan