Beowulf And Achilles Research Paper

Morgan Roach
Mrs. Rebeske
English DC- 2nd
October 8, 2014
Beowulf and Achilles
A hero is often someone who society looks up to, cherishes, and even admires. Although, two heroes can be very different when it comes to their idea of morals. A person’s heroic action is most often unveiled when they are forced to battle for their society and their reasoning behind it all. Beowulf and Achilles are both heroes that have their similarities and differences when it comes to their motivation, call to action, their quest, approach to the villains, and reintegration into society.
Both Beowulf and Achilles are motivated by getting glory throughout their journey. Achilles’s main reason for going to Troy in the first place is to get glory from the
The approach to their villains were quite different. Beowulf kept his integrity and morals while only killing when necessary, while Achilles slaughtered anybody in his way. The battles that they both had to take on seemed relatively easy for the both of them, this shows the reader how powerful and immortal they really were. It was as if both Beowulf and Achilles were invincible against their enemies until their death turned into fate. Beowulf had to fight off three evils and in the end it took a powerful beast like a dragon to kill him. “A warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame.” (line 2890 Heaney) After all of the fighting that Achilles went through it was a mere arrow through the foot from Paris that took his life away. It was almost as if Achilles’s greedy ways gave him a death that was not fit for his story. Beowulf stood strong with dignity throughout his journey which gave him a death that was quite fitting and worthy of his
Beowulf saved the Dane’s Kingdom from Grendel and had a major impact on their lives, although their society will be doomed without him he still managed to do his part. Achilles helped the Greeks during the Trojan war and was remembered has a hero by many. The difference is that Beowulf was honored so greatly and will be remembered for the love and compassion he showed for his people. “Nothing we advised could ever convince the prince we loved, our land’s guardian, not to vex the custodian of the gold, let him lie where he was long accustomed, lurk there under earth until the end of the world. He held to his high destiny.” (line 3080 Heaney) While Achilles was honored and remembered for a few short years but did not make a positive long-lasting effect on his people because he was heartless towards everyone around him, including his own people. The only moment of compassion we see is when Achilles lets Priam have his son’s body back to be honored like he should be. “Your son is released sir, as you ordered. He is lying on a pallet. At dawn’s first light you will go see him yourself.” (line 647 The