Lakiethian Colbert
Comparison and Contrast: Hero’s
Eng 106
Professor Nikki Moorman

History has proven that literature will always find a hero. In any culture and any time period there will be Epic Hero’s that will exemplify strength, courage, chivalry and family. These heroes portray a number of comparable attributes as well as a number of notable differences. Beowulf is a pillar in old English literature. He can be compared to the hero Achilles from the Iliad based on warrior strength and compared to Aeneas he went on a journey. Although many years separated these heroes and their journeys, there proved to be a comparison between them all that shows how the earlier hero inspired the later. The glories of a hero is something that is shown when comparing Beowolf an Achilles. Beowulf’s society held fame and glory at a high standard. He knew he would receive praise from the kingdom he went to help, but this shows how he also cares about others. Achilles does not like the Greeks. He went to war for the fame and glory, more than the cause. Achilles was a little more vain than Beowulf, but both of them enjoyed the glories of fighting.
Beowulf and Achilles both have enemies that they face off against. Beowulf has numerous epic battles with creatures. The story revolves around his epic battle with Grendel. He then goes on to fight with Grendel’s mother. The ending is rounded off with at battle of him and a dragon. Achilles has to fight with Hector and the Trojan army. It seems as if this is how Achilles saw himself on the battle ground with an army facing him. He faced many foes, but all of them lead up to his battle with Hector. Hector was one of the big fights that he faced. Beowulf and Achilles dispatched these foes with ease. This is a demonstration of how strong Epic heroes are supposed to be. Their strength should be uncompromised in the battle.
They differed in a number of ways as well. As Beowulf wanted glory he also had more compassion for the job he was doing. He was willing to give his life to destroy the enemies. He was arrogant, but noble. Achilles, on the other hand, did not have a noble reason but only a selfish reason. He wanted to receive more fame and that’s all he cared about. He was too arrogant and did not perform his job based on a since of duty, but a since of glory.
Comparing the ending of their tales, they both end in death. The differing factor is that Beowulf died in a much more noble way. Achilles died in a less than honorable way. Beowulf was killed by an epic beast. He was given the burial of a true hero. He fought to defend lives and gave his life for that cause. Achilles death was very lack luster. Instead of dying to defend others he was shot in the heel. They both had to die in order to fulfill the tragedy needed for the Epic poem. They are both extraordinary heroes, but they differ in a number of ways.
Beowulf can be compared to Aeneas also. He and Aeneas both have epic adventures. Aeneas’ adventure was long and difficult. Beowulf’s adventure revolves around him destroying enemies. He ventures to the places were these creatures are and dispel them. They both realize that even in the middle of their struggles that there is a divine influence present. Beowulf gives reference to God when he states “he must await the mighty judgment of God in his majesty” (Beowulf 50).
They do, however, take different views on the temptations on their paths. Beowulf avoids the temptress in the poem and upholds the dignity of chivalry. Aeneas on the other hand falls victim to Venus, Juno and a Queen.
Although these poems are all separated by many years they all show how an Epic hero should be. Beowulf’s strength and heroism is shown in the later pieces. It can be seen that all of them follow a certain path. The characters in these stories are years apart from each other, but they help shape the way heroes are seen. Beowulf is a piece of literature that would certainly help each and every person who heard it know how to be a hero.