Castruccio Castracani

This battle in turn made Darius III furious and he decides to go out and find Alexander himself. This battle is important because it shows even more that Alexander is the greatest military leader in history because of the great leadership he showed in this battle. Before the battle took place Alexander was making a plan that would give him the best advantage in the battle. According to Rufus, “Alexander moved his forces to Issus. For there the forces of both kings would be equal in number, since the narrow space could not contain a multitude of men; his men ought to avoid a plain and the open fields, where they might be caught and crushed in a pincer maneuver” (107).

In the case of the Iliad, Diomedes proves that he is the best on several different occasions. He does this by showing different characteristics of himself that help the reader see why he is the best. Diomedes shows that he is the best of the Achaeans by showing what an excellent fighter he is, using his bravery in the face of battle, and by showing he has a softer side that values friendship and his fellow man over glory and fame. Diomedes proves he is an excellent fighter multiple times throughout the Iliad. He has injured or killed dozens of Trojans and doesn’t stop.

/ Nourish and maintain this new connection, / you noblest of men…” (945-948). Hrothgar means that Beowulf is now considered as one of Hrothgar’s noble men because of his accomplishment. This reputation of Beowulf builds up even more after his death, fighting and defeating the Dragon. “They said that of all the kings upon the earth / he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, / kindest to his people and keenest to win fame” (3180-3182). This shows the level of glory that Beowulf has received from his positive actions throughout his life.

He cared for the people even until his death, and fought the enemies so that his kingdom would be safe. His tough skin allowed him to back down from nothing, he was a good king. Because of his bravery, his leadership, and his commitment this allowed the movement from hero to king.

The younger boys looked up to either their father that was a warrior or another warrior. They idolized these men because they received fame. The idea of jewels, clashing of metal hitting your foe painted great images in Angelo- Saxon boys. In their culture fame is the most important thing you can have. By reading Beowulf I realized that loyalty is sometimes more important to them than their religion.

Beowulf fights many battles throughout his life, he killed all the monsters he faced, which shows his mig... ... middle of paper ... ... enormous risk that all the instincts of self-preservation resist”(Hanning 60). Beowulf is always ready to take the risks for the fame.Beowulf “fight Grendel alone and without weapons to maximize his chance for glory; if he fails he is fully aware that it will mean death”(Hanning 61). This clearly shows his bravery and how hard he goes to gain glory, and he values them all more than his life. His bravery keeps him to fight for glory, and this quality clearly makes him an epic hero. Beowulf is truly an epic hero, because of his wisdom, strength and bravery.

Hector’s decision to take on Achilles can be viewed in two ways: on one hand, taking on the demigod shows incredible bravery, and his refusal to flee even in the face of death is admirable. On the other hand, disregarding the advice of friends and family and throwing himself into battle alone against the most impressive warrior of his time shows an indescribable arrogance that could only be created by pride in one’s self. This situation is one that he never would have in the beginning of the war, which shows the effect that battle has had on him. He never gets to see the light at the end of this tunnel, though, as he is slain by Achilles. On his death bed, Hector makes one last request of Achilles: that he should place his body in the hands of friends, so that it may be brought back to his homeland with his loved ones.

Beowulf is meant to represent the ideal warrior and king. As such, readers can infer that the Anglo-Saxons held his character traits in high esteem. As depicted in Seamus Haney’s translation of Beowulf, Beowulf’s strength, loyalty, and acceptance of fate are traits that were admired by his society. The time of the Anglo-Saxons was rife with tribal warfare. This meant that men had to be strong fighters capable of protecting and avenging their people.

In addition, his self assurance and known bravery probably guided his decision. Beowulf’s spirit of adventure gained him a lot of fame; however, it could have gotten him into danger, if he were to have taken an adventure too far. Beowulf used his strength for respect and recognition. As he became older his great strength was beginning to become weak. The weakness of his strength and the lost battle against Grendel’s mother was overwhelming to Beowulf; however he realized that his time was over and he would be remembered as a great hero in all battles he won.

Their father teaches each griot, the knowledge griots possess is remembered through song and story, and is passed on with amazing accuracy. (pg xxiv)This system would not work well if it were... ... middle of paper ... ...e as a commander of the army by devising strategies that defeat larger armies. His bravery is reflected in his tendency to rush into battle himself, killing enemies left and right with little regard for his own safety. His sense of justice is reflected in the way he forgives others' trespasses (within reason), and the description of his rule is a just one. His charisma unites people together; during his exile, all he encounters are impressed with him, and hence do they later join his empire.