Essay Comparing Beowulf And Achilles
Olivia Cordell
Mrs. DeSilva
English 12
30 September 2015
Compare and Contrast Final Draft Essay Both Beowulf and Achilles are from complete opposite cultures, but are similar epic heroes. “Beowulf” was written around 750 B.C and the author is unknown. Beowulf, the great epic hero, goes out to defeat the enemy Grendel for his people. “The Illiad” was written by Homer in 700 B.C. Achilles in this story was a brave but selfish man and wanted to defeat a man that took his friend Patroclus’ life. Although, Beowulf and Achilles are both epic heroes, its in different ways and they are both from different cultures. Beowulf, in the reader’s perspective is a very strong and noble man. As the poem says, “Nor have I seen a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken, he is truly noble. There is mere hanger-on in a hero’s armour.” (244-251). He is noble because he knows his possible consequence of fighting but does not fear death. Beowulf …show more content…
Both were oriented towards getting glory. Beowulf defeated Grendel and Grendel’s mother while Achilles avenged Patroclus. They both could’ve faced death, but risked it anyway. A quote from “Beowulf” says, “Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked. (572-573)” This is saying that if you have this courage and faith, then you will not be defeated. As epic heroes, they both have all the qualities of proving that they are. Beowulf and Achilles both affected the fate of their nations. Beowulf and Achilles have many similarities but also have their differences. Achilles defeated out of his anger, but Beowulf defeated for his nation. Although, they are both courageous epic heroes. They were not afraid to face death to defeat their enemy. They have different personalities and come from a complete different culture, but they will also hold the same similarity of being a hero for their
Mrs. DeSilva
English 12
30 September 2015
Compare and Contrast Final Draft Essay Both Beowulf and Achilles are from complete opposite cultures, but are similar epic heroes. “Beowulf” was written around 750 B.C and the author is unknown. Beowulf, the great epic hero, goes out to defeat the enemy Grendel for his people. “The Illiad” was written by Homer in 700 B.C. Achilles in this story was a brave but selfish man and wanted to defeat a man that took his friend Patroclus’ life. Although, Beowulf and Achilles are both epic heroes, its in different ways and they are both from different cultures. Beowulf, in the reader’s perspective is a very strong and noble man. As the poem says, “Nor have I seen a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken, he is truly noble. There is mere hanger-on in a hero’s armour.” (244-251). He is noble because he knows his possible consequence of fighting but does not fear death. Beowulf …show more content…
Both were oriented towards getting glory. Beowulf defeated Grendel and Grendel’s mother while Achilles avenged Patroclus. They both could’ve faced death, but risked it anyway. A quote from “Beowulf” says, “Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked. (572-573)” This is saying that if you have this courage and faith, then you will not be defeated. As epic heroes, they both have all the qualities of proving that they are. Beowulf and Achilles both affected the fate of their nations. Beowulf and Achilles have many similarities but also have their differences. Achilles defeated out of his anger, but Beowulf defeated for his nation. Although, they are both courageous epic heroes. They were not afraid to face death to defeat their enemy. They have different personalities and come from a complete different culture, but they will also hold the same similarity of being a hero for their