Beowulf And Gilgamesh Essay
Brooke Riggleman
Mr. Jeremy Simmons
British Literature
25 September 2014
The Tale of Two Epic Heroes with Common Goals
In the epic poem of Beowulf and the short story of Gilgamesh, both writings have very many similarities but also include several differences. The characters seem to place the same title role as well as the outstanding heroic actions. Comparing these two stories is a great way to look at different traits in each individual in my opinion. Many of the characters have a reputation and they seem to continue maintaining it whether it is good or evil. During both Beowulf and Gilgamesh, the settings are recognizable because of their similarities and differences between the scenes of the characters. Beowulf is said to be one-thirds human and two-thirds god. Why anyone would want to mess with him is beyond my understanding? Gilgamesh was King of Uruk, the strongest of men and said to be like superhuman. Beowulf is written in the Anglo-Saxon era while Gilgamesh is written in the third millennium period. First things first, the good characters in Beowulf are Beowulf, Wiglaf, and Hrothgar because they are the protectors of the city and fight all the known monsters to keep the city safe. The bad characters in Beowulf are Grendal, Grendal’s mother, and the dragon because they try to defeat everyone who steps foot into the darkness at night time. Beowulf was powerful enough to defeat Grendel with his bare hands by tearing his arm off, and he was brave enough to destroy Grendal’s mother by decapitating her with a giant forged sword. Beowulf is considered to be the main hero because of his outstanding bravery to save the city and his incredible strength. His strength is considered to be extra-ordinary, unexplainable, and superhuman. The good characters in Gilgamesh are Gilgamesh and Enkidu because they fight out of their way to save the city that’s in danger and remind the people that they have no reason to be terrified. The bad characters in Gilgamesh are Ishtar
Mr. Jeremy Simmons
British Literature
25 September 2014
The Tale of Two Epic Heroes with Common Goals
In the epic poem of Beowulf and the short story of Gilgamesh, both writings have very many similarities but also include several differences. The characters seem to place the same title role as well as the outstanding heroic actions. Comparing these two stories is a great way to look at different traits in each individual in my opinion. Many of the characters have a reputation and they seem to continue maintaining it whether it is good or evil. During both Beowulf and Gilgamesh, the settings are recognizable because of their similarities and differences between the scenes of the characters. Beowulf is said to be one-thirds human and two-thirds god. Why anyone would want to mess with him is beyond my understanding? Gilgamesh was King of Uruk, the strongest of men and said to be like superhuman. Beowulf is written in the Anglo-Saxon era while Gilgamesh is written in the third millennium period. First things first, the good characters in Beowulf are Beowulf, Wiglaf, and Hrothgar because they are the protectors of the city and fight all the known monsters to keep the city safe. The bad characters in Beowulf are Grendal, Grendal’s mother, and the dragon because they try to defeat everyone who steps foot into the darkness at night time. Beowulf was powerful enough to defeat Grendel with his bare hands by tearing his arm off, and he was brave enough to destroy Grendal’s mother by decapitating her with a giant forged sword. Beowulf is considered to be the main hero because of his outstanding bravery to save the city and his incredible strength. His strength is considered to be extra-ordinary, unexplainable, and superhuman. The good characters in Gilgamesh are Gilgamesh and Enkidu because they fight out of their way to save the city that’s in danger and remind the people that they have no reason to be terrified. The bad characters in Gilgamesh are Ishtar