What comes to mind when you hear the word hero? Many do not realize what it takes to become a hero. In the short story Beowulf, he was considered a hero because he was brave and stood up for himself. Consequently, in the Iliad, Achilles was seen as a hero by many for the battles he fought. People do not understand that there is more to it than just saving a person from danger and defeating bad guys to be a hero. Some people believe to be considered a hero, they must have the courage and be brave. In both the Iliad and Beowulf, the characters exhibit heroic qualities such as strength, bravery, and be independence. Beowulf showed his strength when he fought Grendel’s Mother. In the quote “If weapons were useless he’d use his hands, the strength in his fingers. (line 489).” For example, this means that Beowulf would continue to show how strong he is with or without a weapon. To have strength means to be strong and be able to put up a fight. In the Iliad Achilles shows strength when he encountered Hector. In the quote “Achilles drove his point straight through the tender neck, but not cutting his windpipe, leaving Hector able to speak and to respond (line 166).” Additionally, this means that Achilles used his strength by putting his sword through Hector tender neck and by putting up a fight. To have bravery means to not be afraid and …show more content…
In both Beowulf and in the Iliad the characters shares these heroic qualities by defeating the people they encountered with. In the Iliad, Achilles was a hero because he was the greatest of all time and he stood on his feet alone. Beowulf also shows what it takes to be a hero by fighting alone, not giving up, and by having courage. A hero is not just someone who puts on a costume and cape to rescue people, but it can also be defined as a person whom is willing to have what it takes to be brave and have the courage to have the title of a