Beowulf And Achilleus Codes Of Honor example essay topic

Beowulf – Epic Hero Comparison Essay, Research Beowulf – Epic Hero Comparison Martin D. Villarreal British Literature Mrs. DeLong 11 October 2000 (Beowulf Analysis) Epic Hero Comparison It is very odd that two men who appear so different can be as similar as Beowulf and Achilleus. They each have a distinct code of honor, an avid need for recognition of their deeds, and both victorious over the enemies they encounter in their epic battles. Beowulf and Achilleus' codes of honor are somewhat similar in that they both occur while in battle. For Beowulf, this happens before the battle with the rudimentary beast known as Grendel. Beowulf decides not to use weapons to fight the beast because Grendel does not use weapons, and Beowulf wants the fight to remain fair. Likewise, Achilleus' moment of honor occurs during his battle with Hektor.

In this battle, Achilleus and Hektor come to an agreement that the winner will keep the loser's armor, but will give the corpse back to the family and not defile the body. Both Beowulf and Achilleus keep their word of honor and are victorious. This example shows that honor is a major component of being an epic hero. The need for recognition of the valiant deeds and victories is what gives the epic hero his desire for fame, a plethora of fortune, and glory that will survive even after his death. Beowulf displays this when he kills Grendel by wresting off the arm of the beast and taking it to Mead Hall where it is hung as a trophy of his victory. "No Dane doubted the victory, for the proof hanging high from the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the Monster's Arm, claw and shoulder and all.

' Beowulf Again, gains fame and glory when he kills the mother of Grendel, brings back the head of Grendel, and keeps the hilt of the giant's jeweled sword. While parading both of these items around as trophies for throngs of people to see, he gains his fame and glory. Consequently, achieving fame and glory is also an important goal to Achilleus. Achilleus loathes Hektor for killing Patroklos and retaining his body so it could not be buried.

Therefore, Patroklos could not go to heaven. The trophies Achilleus claims in his epic battle with Hektor is the body of Patroklos so it may be buried; Hektor's lackluster armor; and the pleasure of disfiguring the body of Hektor by dragging it behind his chariot for twelve days to strike fear in the hearts of the opposing Trojan army. It is apparent that the main concern of these two epic heroes is to live as long as possible and to let their heroic status live on for generations to come. The epic of Beowulf contains three foes that the intrepid Beowulf challenges to battle and proves victorious over. The first of the three foes is the infamous Grendel who is evil and whom Beowulf defeats without weapons by ripping off his arm; thus killing him.

Secondly, the irate mother of Grendel lives beneath the murky waters of the ocean. He kills her by decapitation " [He] Caught her in the neck and [cut] it through' with an enchanted sword. Lastly Beowulf challenges the dragon as the final enemy. This is Beowulf's final battle as he is mortally wounded when he and Wig laf kill the dragon. On the other the hero, Achilleus only faces one opponent. In this battle, he faces Hektor of the Trojans who killed Patroklos.

Achilleus fights and defeats Hektor for his own satisfaction and to avenge the death of his friend. All in all, both of these men demonstrate that to be the ultimate epic hero, you must have honor, feel a need for recognition, and be victorious in battle.