In this compare and contrast essay we will focus on two literature-linked heroes from the Iliad, Achilles and Beowulf. Both are considered as true heroes in the eyes of many, having super natural strength and immense courage when facing evil shows how much of a larger than life heroic-figures they are. We can kickoff this essay by comparing our two literature linked heroes. both Beowulf and Achilles possess certain attributes that would condemn them as superhuman, both are somehow lead to their downfall by self-inflicted fatal flaws, which will be mentioned further into our essay. So, the main focal point for each character is their possession of a wide range of enviable masculine powers.
Odysseus is the protagonist of the epic poem by Homer, The Odyssey, known as the great epic hero, but how exactly do we know that Odysseus is an epic hero? One reason I believe that Odysseus is indeed an epic hero is that there were gods that were on Odysseus’ side and helping him on his way. Additionally, Odysseus experienced many exceptional adventures and hardship from his journey. Lastly, something epic heroes have that Odysseus shares in common is that he has beneficial characteristics such as confidence, courage, loyalty, and intelligence.
From Greek mythology, Odysseus is considered to be an epic hero. This means, that in comparison to other humans, he possesses superhuman strength, craftiness, and confidence, more so than the average person. An epic hero embodies ideals and values that culture deems as admirable. Another characteristic an epic hero must have is the capability to be helped, and harmed by the interfering gods, a trait that Odysseus certainly has.
From the grief of the Greeks and the Trojans comes greater understanding of the price of war. According to “The Type of Stories Chart” the epic poem is categorized as a success story of Greeks in the Trojan war, but the poem sobers the success of the Greeks with the constant reminder of death in war. In
There are many contributing factors to support the reason that Odysseus is more of an admirable hero than Achilles. During the Ancient Greek time period, heroism was greatly valued, and heroic characters in epic poems were courageous warriors who showed expertise in their ability to fight in battle. Both of these individuals, Achilles and Odysseus are heros in themselves, but Odysseus is known for being a more credible hero due to his actions. In the Odyssey three major events occur: Odysseus defeats the cyclops, escapes Calypso’s island, and visits the underworld. Odysseus is more of an admirable hero than Achilles due to his extreme leadership skills and his talents he portrays in difficult situations.
Which Is the Better Hero, Beowulf or Achilles? They are described as great heroes; they both do amazing things for different reasons. Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon, while Achilles is a Greek. They both are fighters for their respected reasons.
Both of them were brave Greek warriors who fought in the Trojan war seeking glory. Where Odysseus was just a common man, Achilles was a God among men. His wrath knew no bounds as illustrated in the Illiad. Odysseus on the other hand was cunning and could defeat his enemies or escape danger merely using his intellect. We could say that the fact that Achilles knew his fate beforehand makes him capable of less emotions as he had only glory in mind.
When he was given a choice between long, uneventful, but happy life and forthcoming, but glorious death on the battlefield, he chose the latter, preferring eternal fame to family life. The theme of kleos can be explained by the hero cult, which was widely popular during Classical times. Heroes were a major component of Greek religion and of equal importance as gods, but their attraction consisted in the fact that they were local and therefore more exclusive than the gods. They were important to the Greeks as they were closer to humans than gods, and helped define the limits of human aspirations, acting as symbols for all of the qualities humans wished to possess and dreams they wished to realise. Depiction of a hero in the Iliad differs from Troy.
It is a case of communication among cultures. These similarities concentrate on characters and themes. Initially, the two concentrate on epic heroes and their forceful deeds, yet additionally their human weakness. Particularly, we can see similarities amongst Gilgamesh and Achilles. Gilgamesh is an awesome warrior king who is from mostly divine and incompletely human parentage, Achilles is an extraordinary warrior who is blended divine and human, in any case, the two are mortal (Ziolkowsk).
Many people think he is not a hero because of his mistakes, but those are mistakes and making mistakes does not make anyone less of a hero. Odysseus is more than a hero. He is a very humane hero who makes mistakes just like anyone else, but in the end was still a hero. This is shown by Odysseus’ leadership when he won the Trojan War, when he saved his men from staying animals forever, and going to the underworld to face his fears and stay brave. Not every hero needs to be perfect.
It’s ancient times before the reign Napoleon or Romans. Before the Persian War and even before Athens built her Parthenon or Sparta held Thermopylae. It’s the era of the Greek city-states where numerous legends and tales born. One of which being the timeless Iliad told by Homer. The Iliad displays a tale of heroes that fight for the Greek or Trojan cause.
Achilles was sometimes a great warrior, but could be seen as very selfish. He could be seen this way by his family, peers, and fellow soldiers fighting with him. Achilles was not fully selfish, because he had a few accomplishments that made him a person to look up to. Achilles was a great Greek hero, but no warrior is ever perfect. In book one of the Iliad, the Greek King of Mycenae, Agamemnon, took a woman named Chryseis, angering Achilles.
In Greek mythology, there were many fierce warriors who will have changed Greece forever and are all distinctively different. Greek war heros are most known because of the Trojan War between fighting on land and in the sea there are many stories that make each of these heros very distinct. Most heroes of Greece were mostly known as gods and people who were immortal and much more powerful than the average person which changed Greek mythology in a major way. The Greek war heroes were the most important Greek aspect because they have relations with Greek gods and goddesses, it can change who conquers who, and they illustrated the bravery of the Greek culture. Greek gods had a very great relationship with Greek war heroes which made the heroes
Is Achilles selfish or self-preserving? He can be both from different points of views. In one way he is shown not wanting to go to war because he is upset about Agamemnon taking a woman from Achilles and since that happened he is being a jerk and not want to fight for him. On another side, he is shown doing that right thing a giving Agamemnon what he deserves, losing the war and/or dying in the process. Though one person might things that he has one side more than the other, another person says the opposite.
In the years before Christ the Greeks said there were multiple gods and they also had heroes who weren't quite gods but they were greater than humans. These heroes had to have certain qualities to be considered as one. These qualities are similar but different than those qualities of today's heroes. The greek's qualities consisted of cleverness, courage, strength, a noble birth, must have a companion or guide, they go on a journey or quest or have a goal, they meet dangers, they often face temptation and loneliness, and go to a dark place. They must also have a flaw, like acting without thinking or become angry easily.