Beowulf vs. Gilgamesh as Epic Heroes

Beowulf is truly an epic hero, because of his wisdom, strength and bravery. These characteristics keep him set apart from all other character. He would take any risk to defeat his enemy and to gain glory. Even when he dies, he defeated his opponent and gained more glory to his name. In Beowulf, there are series of battles centered around the heroic figure Beowulf, who is an epic hero.

To this day he remains greatly admired as both a hero and an ordinary man who must deal with great adventures and retrieving the life he once had. For twenty years Odysseus overcame each obstacle the gods handed to him. He was always respectful to the gods, acknowledging their control of fate and realizing that he needed help if he was to ever get back to Ithaca and his beloved family. He showed keen observation, instinct, and caution. He is great at disguises, capable of concealing his feelings, and a fast, inventive liar: heroic qualities that got him through his adversities.

The epic Beowulf is a good example of this truth. In the story, Beowulf is a god-like human who possesses a strength and warrior spirit unmatched by anyone. The choices he has made resulted in this power and it is also those same choices that play a part in his end. In Beowulf's adventurous life he undertakes challenges that normal men cannot even conceive of engaging. He lived by honor and glory and sought them in everything he did.

Beowulf was a character that was given or blessed by the gods to the people during his time to be a saviour against evil and to become a just ruler. Though the epic of Beowulf may have been over hyperbolized, the fact that many have sung tales of him dictates that he was a hero above all during his era, which leads to the point that Beowulf has done meritorious deeds to prove his existence. Heroes are mainly known for their adventures; Beowulf’s fame comes from his battles against monsters during his adventures. A character’s adventure is the very essence of how he can become a hero, and why he is deserving to be one. A hero’s worth and strength can only be determined through battles against their enemies.

Gilgamesh is a strong, powerful, arrogant leader that is two-thirds god and one part human. Gilgamesh was truly a hero by showing his skill in battle, intelligence, valor, reverence, and yet he held a respect for death. On his quest to finding the plant that contained the components for a mortal man to acquire everlasting life, the protagonist overcame obstacles and complications. Gilgamesh slay the demon monster, keeper of the forest, Humbaba and showed his impressive fighting skill. The man that was more than half of a god showed his arrogance by refusing the goddess Ishtar’s love.

Beowulf possesses several distinct traits that allow him to be defined as an ideal epic hero and Anglo-Saxon hero. He is courageous, loyal, wise, and physically powerful. Beowulf puts himself through difficult situations just to keep his people safe from evil. He battles Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon for his people, though he does it for honor as well. Beowulf shows honor in all of his acts, but he is constantly seeking fame and glory through all of his accomplishments.

Beowulf succeeded with his battles and became an epic hero. Beowulf always boasted that he was a great hero. Beowulf believed he was the greatest warrior of the Geats. After becoming king, Beowulf believed he was the greatest warrior of them all. He was indeed an epic hero.

Beowulf is an epic poem about his dangerous adventures. Within the poem, it describes Beowulf as a strong, prideful man who will be willing to do anything for fame and glory. Indeed, nobody could of possibly stop Beowulf in his prime timeline. Not even Grendel, one of Lucifer’s spawns, take him down. In fact, because of this, Beowulf not only save the meat hall but also gain fame.

By understanding what defines a hero it is a simple matter to comprehend why Beowulf is considered by some to be the greatest of all. He posses unfaltering loyalty to his king and allies, and save for his final battle his thanes show the same devotion to him. His strength is unparalleled, as he is able to defeat each of his opponents and perform feats of unmatched endurance. Beowulf’s courage, though motivated primarily by his own notion of fate, is, none the less, unwavering. And as a hero he achieved his desire for immortality through the poem itself.

A true hero does not fear death or, but instead risks all that he is for what he believes to be right, moral, and just. Beowulf is an epic and tells the story of a legendary hero, conquering all obstacles as if he was immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf’s life he was constantly looking to be the hero. However, his humanity is exposed by his death. Heroes all share the characteristic of their willingness to die in their effort to accomplish their heroic act, thus making the act in itself heroic.