Premium Essay

Beowulf Vs. Achilles

Submitted By
Words 925
Pages 4
Beowulf vs. Achilles
“They were combat causalities, brave men and women who risked their lives to safeguard our freedom. And they paid for our liberty with their lives” (Cannon). So many people die for the freedoms that the American person values. As society grows and becomes different the true heroes are becoming less recognized. What modern day people would say about today's heroes would be far from the brave, and courageous war soldiers. A very long time ago, there were two brave and courageous warriors, Beowulf of Denmark and Achilles of Greece. These two individuals reached the highest expectations and excelled at successfully leading their people in battle. Both amazing leaders and determined fighters, but they came from different backgrounds, …show more content…
Fought with his heart and not his head, Beowulf demonstrated selflessness travelling to an unfamiliar land to destroy their monsters. Another trait he excelled in was respect, for example, he didn’t treat woman as an object while most of the other men did. The Queen of the Geats received glances of admiration and appreciation from Beowulf, he though of her as a beautiful gift from god rather than just some toy.A strong trait that Beowulf possessed was bravery, although his men scattered at the sight of a bloodthirsty beast, he continued the battle as fearless as he was with 100 men by his side. The perfect example for a 21st century hero Beowulf presented what one should look like. Showing passion for what he truly loved, demonstrated respect for everyone, not just a specific set of individuals, and lastly he achieved what he desired by shooting doing the unimaginable.
In conclusion, both Achilles and Beowulf were great leaders and focused fighters, although they originate from different backgrounds, they can share and contrast with each other individual traits. Comparing heroes they both shared the traits of fantastic leadership, determination and bravery on and off the battlefield. The two traits that cause the two heroes to be substantially different from each other are motivation and pride. Whether Beowulf or Achilles seems to be the better hero, extend there legacy's to today's world and ponder what the modern age Achilles or Beowulf could

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Achilles Vs Beowulf Essay

...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...

Words: 631 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Beowulf Vs Achilles Research Paper

...distorted. As the most valued, strongest, ablest warrior around Beowulf is looked up upon. He is a Geatish warrior who fights not only the monster Grendel, but also Grendel’s mom and a fire breathing dragon. Achilles was an important hero in The Iliad. As a regnant warrior, he leads soldiers from his hometown to seek revenge towards Agamemnon. Beowulf and Achilles were both superior warriors in similar and different ways. Beowulf and Achilles are two well-known heroes who fought agelong and hard. Beowulf...

Words: 575 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Jeez

... but also a polished speaker who can address councils of chieftains or elders with eloquence and confidence. (Beowulf, 258-259) 2. The hero possesses distinctive weapons of great size and power, often heirlooms or presents from the gods. (Grendel, 102-125) 3. The hero must undertake a long, perilous journey, often involving a descent into the Underworld (Greek, "Neukeia"), which tests his endurance, courage, and cunning. (Beowulf, 539-541) 4. Although his fellows may be great warriors (like Achilles and Beowulf, he may have a comitatus, or group of noble followers with whom he grew up), he undertakes a task that no one else dare attempt. (Beowulf’s fellows 206-209) 5. Whatever virtues his race most prizes, these the epic hero as a cultural exemplar possesses in abundance. (Beowulf, 415-418) 6. The concept of arete (Greek for "bringing virtue to perfection") is crucial to understanding the epic protagonist. (Beowulf 340-347) 7. The hero establishes his nobility through single combat. A hero gains little honour by slaying a lesser mortal, but only by challenging heroes like himself or adversaries of superhuman power. (Beowulf removing his armor for it to be a fair fight 671-676) 8. The two great epic adversaries, the hero and his antagonist, meet at the climax, which must be delayed as long as possible to sustain maximum interest. (Beowulf vs, Grendel 749-756) 9. The hero's epic adversary is often a "god-despiser," one who has more respect for his own...

Words: 375 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

How to Read Computer Technology Like a Professor

...From How to Read Literature Like a Professor Thomas C. Foster Notes by Marti Nelson 1. Every Trip is a Quest (except when it’s not): a. A quester b. A place to go c. A stated reason to go there d. Challenges and trials e. The real reason to go—always self-knowledge 2. Nice to Eat With You: Acts of Communion a. Whenever people eat or drink together, it’s communion b. Not usually religious c. An act of sharing and peace d. A failed meal carries negative connotations 3. Nice to Eat You: Acts of Vampires a. Literal Vampirism: Nasty old man, attractive but evil, violates a young woman, leaves his mark, takes her innocence b. Sexual implications—a trait of 19th century literature to address sex indirectly c. Symbolic Vampirism: selfishness, exploitation, refusal to respect the autonomy of other people, using people to get what we want, placing our desires, particularly ugly ones, above the needs of another. 4. If It’s Square, It’s a Sonnet 5. Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before? a. There is no such thing as a wholly original work of literature—stories grow out of other stories, poems out of other poems. b. There is only one story—of humanity and human nature, endlessly repeated c. “Intertexuality”—recognizing the connections between one story and another deepens our appreciation and experience, brings multiple layers of meaning to the text, which we may not be conscious of. The more consciously...

Words: 3545 - Pages: 15

Free Essay

The Outline of English Literature

...Министерство образования и науки Республики Казахстан Кокшетауский государственный университет им. Ш. Уалиханова An Outline of British Literature (from tradition to post modernism) Кокшетау 2011 УДК 802.0 – 5:20 ББК 81:432.1-923 № 39 Рекомендовано к печати кафедрой английского языка и МП КГУ им. Ш. Уалиханова, Ученым Советом филологического факультета КГУ им. Ш. Уалиханова, УМС КГУ им. Ш. Уалиханова. Рецензенты: Баяндина С.Ж. доктор филологических наук, профессор, декан филологического факультета КГУ им. Ш. Уалиханова Батаева Ф.А. кандидат филологических наук, доцент кафедры «Переводческое дело» Кокшетауского университета им. А. Мырзахметова Кожанова К.Т. преподаватель английского языка кафедры гуманитарного цикла ИПК и ПРО Акмолинской области An Outline of British Literature from tradition to post modernism (on specialties 050119 – “Foreign Language: Two Foreign Languages”, 050205 – “Foreign Philology” and 050207 – “Translation”): Учебное пособие / Сост. Немченко Н.Ф. – Кокшетау: Типография КГУ им. Ш. Уалиханова, 2010 – 170 с. ISBN 9965-19-350-9 Пособие представляет собой краткие очерки, характеризующие английскую литературу Великобритании, ее основные направления и тенденции. Все известные направления в литературе иллюстрированы примерами жизни и творчества авторов, вошедших в мировую литературу благодаря...

Words: 82733 - Pages: 331

Free Essay

Child Labour

...10000 quiz questions and answers www.cartiaz.ro 10000 general knowledge questions and answers 10000 general knowledge questions and answers www.cartiaz.ro No Questions Quiz 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Carl and the Passions changed band name to what How many rings on the Olympic flag What colour is vermilion a shade of King Zog ruled which country What colour is Spock's blood Where in your body is your patella Where can you find London bridge today What spirit is mixed with ginger beer in a Moscow mule Who was the first man in space What would you do with a Yashmak Who betrayed Jesus to the Romans Which animal lays eggs On television what was Flipper Who's band was The Quarrymen Which was the most successful Grand National horse Who starred as the Six Million Dollar Man In the song Waltzing Matilda - What is a Jumbuck Who was Dan Dare's greatest enemy in the Eagle What is Dick Grayson better known as What was given on the fourth day of Christmas What was Skippy ( on TV ) What does a funambulist do What is the name of Dennis the Menace's dog What are bactrians and dromedaries Who played The Fugitive Who was the King of Swing Who was the first man to fly across the channel Who starred as Rocky Balboa In which war was the charge of the Light Brigade Who invented the television Who would use a mashie niblick In the song who killed Cock Robin What do deciduous...

Words: 123102 - Pages: 493

Free Essay

Test2

...62118 0/nm 1/n1 2/nm 3/nm 4/nm 5/nm 6/nm 7/nm 8/nm 9/nm 1990s 0th/pt 1st/p 1th/tc 2nd/p 2th/tc 3rd/p 3th/tc 4th/pt 5th/pt 6th/pt 7th/pt 8th/pt 9th/pt 0s/pt a A AA AAA Aachen/M aardvark/SM Aaren/M Aarhus/M Aarika/M Aaron/M AB aback abacus/SM abaft Abagael/M Abagail/M abalone/SM abandoner/M abandon/LGDRS abandonment/SM abase/LGDSR abasement/S abaser/M abashed/UY abashment/MS abash/SDLG abate/DSRLG abated/U abatement/MS abater/M abattoir/SM Abba/M Abbe/M abbé/S abbess/SM Abbey/M abbey/MS Abbie/M Abbi/M Abbot/M abbot/MS Abbott/M abbr abbrev abbreviated/UA abbreviates/A abbreviate/XDSNG abbreviating/A abbreviation/M Abbye/M Abby/M ABC/M Abdel/M abdicate/NGDSX abdication/M abdomen/SM abdominal/YS abduct/DGS abduction/SM abductor/SM Abdul/M ab/DY abeam Abelard/M Abel/M Abelson/M Abe/M Aberdeen/M Abernathy/M aberrant/YS aberrational aberration/SM abet/S abetted abetting abettor/SM Abeu/M abeyance/MS abeyant Abey/M abhorred abhorrence/MS abhorrent/Y abhorrer/M abhorring abhor/S abidance/MS abide/JGSR abider/M abiding/Y Abidjan/M Abie/M Abigael/M Abigail/M Abigale/M Abilene/M ability/IMES abjection/MS abjectness/SM abject/SGPDY abjuration/SM abjuratory abjurer/M abjure/ZGSRD ablate/VGNSDX ablation/M ablative/SY ablaze abler/E ables/E ablest able/U abloom ablution/MS Ab/M ABM/S abnegate/NGSDX abnegation/M Abner/M abnormality/SM abnormal/SY aboard ...

Words: 113589 - Pages: 455