Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Achilles

An epic hero is a character in an epic poem who is admired for large achievements and great deeds. Beowulf and Achilles are epic heroes for some of the same reasons, but their culture makes them different. The story of Beowulf was written in the fifth century, but was based around the time period of somewhere between the middle of the seventh century A.D. and the end of the tenth century. Beowulf wanted to help people when he could, even by risking his life. The story of Achilles fighting in the Troy war was written in the 4th century A.D. Achilles was very upfront about wanting glory from his people, he always didn’t want to help his people. Both stories tell the great deeds done by Achilles and Beowulf, proof of how they both were epic heroes.
In the Iliad on page 81, lines 205-208 it states, “Think a bit, though: this may be a thing the gods in anger hold against you on that day when Paris and Apollo destroy you at the gates, great as you are.” In those lines it tells that Achilles knew that going to fight, he would most likely die. Being an epic hero means sacrifices. Achilles made a huge scarifies by going into a battle knowing he may not come out alive but still going. While Beowulf and Achilles were alike, they also had differences. Beowulf and Achilles both have very different cultures that make them who they are. Beowulf was though of as a selfless person, while Achilles was thought of as a selfish person. Achilles’ reason for being a epic hero is for his deeds in the Troy war, he showed great bravery and fought until the death. Beowulf’s reason for being an epic hero is for his countless efforts to protect the people around him, he fought for his people for many years until his last battle took his life. Achilles and Beowulf were both epic heroes for the deeds they did, whether selfless or selfish, and they were alike in many ways but their cultural differences made them