The Heroic Similarities Of Beowulf And Gilgamesh

1473 Words3 Pages

In my essay I will be breaking down the meaning of a hero according to the literature text. The two heroic figures that I will be using to describe the meaning of what a true hero is will be protagonists Beowulf and Gilgamesh. Each Individual has their own ways of becoming a rememberable hero. One theme in both stories is their unmatched physical abilities and skills. Beowulf and Gilgamesh show heroic characteristics throughout the two stories. No hero is just like the next hero, but Gilgamesh and Beowulf have similar stories that portray their heroic characteristics.
In my opinion a hero is an individual person or protagonist of a specific literary work who, in the face of risk, withstand adversity through feats of ingenuity, strength and courage, finds himself sacrificing their particular concerns for a greater reason. Although the definition of a hero has gradually changed throughout the times. , my belief is that a hero should always have these characteristics and more. Dedication is a trait that should be in all heroes. Beowulf and Gilgamesh go beyond means proving that each hero is a carrier of this trait. For instance when Gilgamesh friend Enkidu passes away, he sets out a journey to discover Utnapistim and the answers to immortality. During any point of his journey Gilgamesh could’ve threw in the towel when it started to become …show more content…

Looking at the comparisons, differences, character inspiration and the usage of great symbolism these are what truly makes the two stories great. One major comparison is that Beowulf and Gilgamesh both wanted to achieve a rememberable reputation as glorious heroes for eternity. They both tend to believe that they have to do mind-blowing and risky things in order to be successful. Beowulf and Gilgamesh were both in a position of high honor and

Show More
Related

  • Beowulf The Hero

    860 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf is shown as a hero with extrodinary strength. This is not what makes him a hero. By definition, a hero is a man of exceptional quality. However this term does not do Beowulf justice. His self-imposed purpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his own life in doing so. Beowulf’s battle with the dragon serves as a critique of the notion that Beowulf is a hero. The Dragon section displays many of Beowulf’s heoric characteristics. Beowulf establishes himself as a hero by fighting the dragon, exemplifing strength and courage when fighting the dragon, and sacrificing himself so that others can live.

    Read More

  • A Comparison of Beowulf, Sir Gawain and King Arthur as Heroes

    1082 Words  | 3 Pages

    The three heroes discussed here, Beowulf, Sir Gawain and King Arthur, are heroes for different reasons. Beowulf, our earliest hero, is brave but his motivation is different than then other two. To Sir Gawain personal honor and valor is what is important. King Arthur, Sir Gawain's uncle, is naturally the quintessential king of the medieval period. Though all men to a certain extent share the same qualities, some are more pronounced than in the others. It is important to see how these qualities are central to their respective stories and how it helps (or hinders) them in their journeys.

    Read More

  • Comparing Beowulf and a Modern-Day Hero

    402 Words  | 1 Pages

    This essay is the comparison between Beowulf and a modern day hero. I consider any American soldier to be my modern day hero. In this essay I will explain in three paragraphs of how my modern day hero is like Beowulf. With in these three paragraphs I will go over how they are both fighting for a good cause, how they are both rewarded for what they do, and how they are both treated with much respect.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Is A Hero Thesis Statement

    281 Words  | 1 Pages

    There many ways to describe a hero but in my words the way I describe as is someone who risks dieing everyday for the ones they love or for the people and someone who isnt afraid to stand up to a very difficult task at hand.Beowulf is an excellent example of an archetypal hero in the following in the following three ways: he risks death and glory for greater good of society,he has super human strength,he decapitated grendels mother, and he is a strong responsible leader.In conclusion those are my examples of why beowulf is a hero.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Gilgamesh

    1222 Words  | 3 Pages

    Both Beowulf and Gilgamesh make for great representatives of the term “epic hero” by showing near legendary levels of greatness, might, and strength. However, their differences are significant enough that one can clearly

    Read More

  • Arthur Versus Beowulf: A Heroic Comparison

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the main topics discussed in lesson one is the fact that heroes over time and overseas all heroes have something in common; which is true in the case of King Arthur and Beowulf. It is obvious that they are similar in the fact that they are both heroes, but what makes them an idol of their time and in their culture are poles apart. There are many things that are different about Beowulf and King Arthur, but the ones that stand out the most are what kind of hero they are and what actions they did to make them heroic. Both heroes possess qualities that others do not have, but it is what they do with those abilities that prompts someone to write a story about them and idolize them in time.

    Read More

  • Comparing the Hero in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

    924 Words  | 2 Pages

    Heroes come in many forms. The construction of "the heroic" has taken many forms, yet traits such as: courage, honor, and loyalty, reappear as themes throughout the "hero" personality. The characters of Beowulf and Sir Gawain each represent a version of a hero, yet each comes across quite differently in their story. A hero can be said to truly win if he remains constant to his noble values when put in any situation that crosses his way. When measured by that criterion, Sir Gawain stands out above Beowulf as a true hero, due to his command of both personal and spiritual power through the use of thought, as well as valiant deeds.

    Read More

  • Comparing Beowulf and Gilgamesh

    1443 Words  | 3 Pages

    known in the Bible as Erech (now Warka, Iraq). According to the myth, the gods

    Read More

  • Comparing Two Heros - Beowulf and Odysseus

    622 Words  | 2 Pages

    Reading through Beowulf I began to compare it to the last great epic I read, Homer’s Odyssey. While the Odyssey and Beowulf are each examples of both historic and modern ideas of heroism, the acts of Beowulf’s hero seem to fit better within its context.

    Read More

  • Beowulf, a Classic Example of an Anglo-Saxon Hero

    903 Words  | 2 Pages

    The clear definition of a hero is often open to interpretation and has never been clearly defined. In the translation of the epic poem Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, it is often debated whether the main character Beowulf is actually a hero or not. Beowulf displays hero-like characteristics through his bravery, loyalty, brute strength, confidence and protective nature. He is a crystal clear example of an Anglo-Saxon hero in his time period. In the present day he should be considered a hero as well. He displays heroism through his fights with Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon while managing to protect his people and eventually sacrifice himself.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Is Not a Modern Day Hero

    986 Words  | 2 Pages

    A hero not only needs to be physically outstanding, but he also needs to have integrity, moral values and needs to act without thinking in his own benefit. Beowulf has many characteristics of a hero but he also has some defects that make me think that he wouldn’t be considered a hero in today´s world. A hero concept evolves with a culture, Beowulf has many things that the Anglo-Saxons viewed as heroism but he misses many things that are important for a modern hero.

    Read More

  • Beowulf is an Epic Hero

    864 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf is shown as a hero with extrodinary strength. This is not what makes him a hero. By definition, a hero is a man of exceptional quality. However this term does not do Beowulf justice. His self-imposed purpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his own life in doing so. Beowulf’s battle with the dragon serves as a critique of the notion that Beowulf is a hero. The Dragon section displays many of Beowulf’s heoric characteristics. Beowulf establishes himself as a hero by fighting the dragon, exemplifing strength and courage when fighting the dragon, and sacrificing himself so that others can live.

    Read More

  • Comparison of Modern Day Heroes and Beowulf

    751 Words  | 2 Pages

    Most of us have heard of modern day heroes such as Spiderman, Superman, and the Hulk. Each is a hero to many children. Heroes are introduced to people early on in life usually as fictional characters, but as children grow older their perceptions of heroes alter. The characteristics of a hero are usually based around the ideas of a society or culture. In the epic Beowulf, the main character is thought of as a hero. Beowulf, a pagan warrior and the main character of the epic, shows certain characteristics such as bravery, loyalty, and generosity, which portray him as a hero. It is interesting how modern day heroes show the much of the same qualities as Beowulf.

    Read More

  • Similarities And Differences And Challenges In The Tale Of Beowulf

    944 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the story, Beowulf fights three battles against frightening monsters. Beowulf, the prince of the Geats, was a well known warrior with extreme strength who makes a promise to protect his people under any circumstance. In the poem, his strength is tested, but he uses it to save many people in battles against: Grendel, Grendel 's mother, and a dragon. Before, during, and after each of these battles Beowulf shows many similarities and differences in his actions.

    Read More

  • Beowulf is an Epic Hero

    951 Words  | 2 Pages

    A true hero does not fear death or, but instead risks all that he is for what he believes to be right, moral, and just. Beowulf is an epic and tells the story of a legendary hero, conquering all obstacles as if he was immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf’s life he was constantly looking to be the hero. However, his humanity is exposed by his death. Heroes all share the characteristic of their willingness to die in their effort to accomplish their heroic act, thus making the act in itself heroic. Throughout the epic, Beowulf in many ways exhibited all the qualities and characteristics needed to be a true hero.

    Read More

More about The Heroic Similarities Of Beowulf And Gilgamesh

Open Document