Similarities Between Indiana Jones And Beowulf

Many people watch epics, whether it is to gain knowledge, or to just be entertained. Epics were told long ago from scops, telling stories of their ancient heroes. Today, people still hear of them and even create their own epics. Epics are often told, written, or even created into a movie or biography. Indiana Jones, from the “Indiana Jones” saga, and Beowulf, from the epic poem “Beowulf,” both share epic hero characteristics as well as representing their respective cultures, even though they are from different time periods. From ancient Greece to Contemporary America, cultures use epics to share their stories and their heroes. An epic is a long narrative which consists of a particular society, “[descendence] into the underworld” (1418), and
Both Beowulf and Indiana Jones are brave. Indiana Jones gets into tough battles and situations in order to accomplish his goal. Beowulf, before going off to fight the dragon, tells his warriors that “this fight is not yours, nor is it up to any man except me” (682-683). Justice is an important aspect in both of these epics. Indiana Jones saves others from enemies, Beowulf does so as well – saving everybody from Grendel, “[striking] off his head with a single swift blow” (663-664) at the end of the final defeat. Freedom is influential, no matter what culture you belong to. Due to Indiana Jones’s freedom, the things he does is possible, and in Beowulf’s case, he “[fights] for his freedom” (444-445). Because of determination, Beowulf and Indiana Jones do what they do. Indiana Jones will do anything to protect his people, and Beowulf, “[leaps] back into battle” (605-607) with the dragon, knowing he is severely injured and may die. Beowulf and Indiana Jones both work hard for their people in order to protect them and what they stand for. Even Beowulf and Indiana Jones have many similarities, they also have many differences. Beowulf and Indiana Jones have several differences. Indiana Jones does not value loyalty, but Beowulf does. Beowulf fights Grendel off for Hrothgar and does not stop until he is defeated. Religion plays a big role in peoples’ lives, but it appears that Indiana Jones’s religion is not apparent. Beowulf, however, believes in animism. The two both fight enemies, but they use different weapons. Indiana Jones uses a whip, and Beowulf uses a sword. Not only that, but they are also in different epics. These differences make the characters uniquely their own. A lot of values and details are relevant