Compare And Contrast Shrek And Beowulf

Courage, selflessness, justice, and humility are all characteristics of epic heroes have exhibited. Both Beowulf and Shrek show the qualities of epic heroes. Beowulf is a brave warrior, and he is a wise king of the Geat’s. Shrek is an ogre that lives in a secluded forest and cannot express his emotions, but he is kind hearted and tries not to hurt anyone. Beowulf and Shrek are epic heroes because they receive assistance from allies, face supernatural foe, and reach lowest points where they appear defeated.

During Beowulf and Shrek’s quests, they receive assistance from allies. In Beowulf’s instance, after nearly being killed by a dragon, Wiglaf came to his assistance and together they defeated the dragon. The poem, Beowulf, describes

Wiglaf staying to help Beowulf:
A beaten warrior. None of his comrades
Came to him, helped him, his brave and noble
Followers; they ran for their lives, fled
Deep in a wood. And only one of them
Remained, stood there, miserable, remembering,
As a good man must, what kingship should mean.
His name was Wiglaf, he was Wexstan’s son. (691-697)
As all of Beowulf’s comrades ran in fear because their king was being defeated, Wiglaf stayed to defend his king by helping Beowulf defeat the dragon.

In the quote, Beowulf receives assistance from an ally, which is a trait of an epic hero. Similarly, Shrek receives the help of a small grey donkey named Donkey. As Shrek is seeking to find Lord Farquaad, Donkey guides Shrek through Duloc. Donkey’s service was helpful for navigating through Farquaad’s kingdom. Shrek also receives the assistance of an ally, making him have the qualities of an epic hero. Given these points, one can see that both Beowulf and Shrek received assistance from

allies.
Beowulf and Shrek each face supernatural foes. Beowulf fights Grendel, who is an evil monster that terrorized the Danes’ Mead hall at night. The story, Beowulf, illustrates Beowulf fights Grendel:
Still body, clutched at Beowulf with his claws,
Grasped at a strong-hearted wakeful sleeper
-And was instantly seized himself, claws
Bent bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm.

(269-272)

In other works, Beowulf pretends to sleep in order for Grendel to try eating him; instantly, Beowulf sprang into battle facing Grendel. Beowulf faces a supernatural foe, a trait of an epic hero. In addition, Shrek faces a fire breathing dragon. Inside of Lord Farquaad’s castle, Donkey was about to be eaten by the Dragon, but Shrek grabbed it by the tail to distract it. Shrek risked being killed from facing the dragon, but does to save his friend. In both cases, Beowulf and Shrek face supernatural foes.

Both Beowulf and Shrek each reach low points where they nearly give up or nearly appear defeated. Throughout the fight Beowulf has with Grendel’s mother, she has the upper hand. Beowulf, describes Beowulf’s fight with Grendel’s mother:

Tried to work her fingers through the tight

Ring-woven mail on his breast, but tore

And scratched in vain. Then she carried him, armor

And sword and all, to her home; he struggled

To free his weapon but failed.

(460-464)
The quote is portraying Beowulf nearly being defeated after he was brutally attacked by Grendel’s mother. Likewise, Shrek reaches his lowest point when tells Fiona that he loves her. After telling Fiona he is in love with her, Lord Farquaad laughs at him. Shrek makes himself feel vulnerable for admitting he is in love; then, people laugh at Shrek for saying such a thing making him appear to be defeated. Ultimately, the characters Beowulf and Shrek reach low points where they appear nearly defeated.
In summary, Both Beowulf and Shrek are epic heroes since they receive assistance from allies, face supernatural foes, and reach low point where they nearly give up of are defeated.