Compare And Contrast Shrek And Beowulf

630 Words2 Pages

Courage, selflessness, justice, and humility are all characteristics of epic heroes have exhibited. Both Beowulf and Shrek show the qualities of epic heroes. Beowulf is a brave warrior, and he is a wise king of the Geat’s. Shrek is an ogre that lives in a secluded forest and cannot express his emotions, but he is kind hearted and tries not to hurt anyone. Beowulf and Shrek are epic heroes because they receive assistance from allies, face supernatural foe, and reach lowest points where they appear defeated.
During Beowulf and Shrek’s quests, they receive assistance from allies. In Beowulf’s instance, after nearly being killed by a dragon, Wiglaf came to his assistance and together they defeated the dragon. The poem, Beowulf, describes …show more content…

In the quote, Beowulf receives assistance from an ally, which is a trait of an epic hero. Similarly, Shrek receives the help of a small grey donkey named Donkey. As Shrek is seeking to find Lord Farquaad, Donkey guides Shrek through Duloc. Donkey’s service was helpful for navigating through Farquaad’s kingdom. Shrek also receives the assistance of an ally, making him have the qualities of an epic hero. Given these points, one can see that both Beowulf and Shrek received assistance from …show more content…

(269-272)
In other works, Beowulf pretends to sleep in order for Grendel to try eating him; instantly, Beowulf sprang into battle facing Grendel. Beowulf faces a supernatural foe, a trait of an epic hero. In addition, Shrek faces a fire breathing dragon. Inside of Lord Farquaad’s castle, Donkey was about to be eaten by the Dragon, but Shrek grabbed it by the tail to distract it. Shrek risked being killed from facing the dragon, but does to save his friend. In both cases, Beowulf and Shrek face supernatural foes. Both Beowulf and Shrek each reach low points where they nearly give up or nearly appear defeated. Throughout the fight Beowulf has with Grendel’s mother, she has the upper hand. Beowulf, describes Beowulf’s fight with Grendel’s mother: Tried to work her fingers through the tight Ring-woven mail on his breast, but tore And scratched in vain. Then she carried him, armor And sword and all, to her home; he struggled To free his weapon but failed.

Show More
Related

  • Code of Honor in the Epic of Beowulf

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf prepares to fight a dragon with his thane, Wiglaf.  Beowulf has no fear of the dragon, because he has fought many enemies that were much more ferocious. One example of Beowulf's great battles is the fight with Grendel. No one other than Beowulf is brave enough or strong enough to volunteer to fight Grendel.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Gilgamesh

    1222 Words  | 3 Pages

    When modern readers think of the term “epic hero”, names such as Superman, Batman, and even real life figures such as LeBron James, AJ McCarron, and countless others instantly come into play. All of them have many similarities; they are all “larger-than-life” heroes who display many epic characteristics such as bravery, might, and supreme confidence. However, each is unique in his/her own way. Diving into the world of ancient literature, and one can find many more great heroes that define the term and provide countless entertaining stories of their journeys and battles throughout the primordial word. Beowulf from the

    Read More

  • Christian-Pagan Syncretism In Beowulf

    1794 Words  | 4 Pages

    In a regular conversation, epic hero can be identified to simply be a hero who possesses remarkable strength and powers that can is characterized as timeless. A real literary epic hero must meet up and require a set of criteria regarding his/her abilities and character: qualities that ensure his distinction at a level above other great individuals. To be a hero, one must possess the following qualities: “courage, loyalty, wisdom, boasting, and physical strength”, but an epic hero is a hero that obtains honor from completing battles with superior enemies, and particularly those who are considered to be god-despising creatures ( Garcia n.p. ). A hero in During his battle against Grendel’s mother, Beowulf proves himself of his strength by picking up “another sword, which no man can pick up except him” (Garcia n.p.). Though, being a hero involves possessing “strength, courage, and honor, these codes also included loyalty, generosity, and hospitality” (Garcia n.p.). Aside from looking like a God like in flesh and maintaining a reputation of superhuman ability, an epic hero should also be an eloquent speaker, and will use his or her skills of elocution to address elders or members of royalty. Beowulf exercises his speaking ability early and often, first when he encounters with the Danish guard , he handles himself respectfully and well- mannered, and then when he ends up addressing King Hrothgar in the mead

    Read More

  • Epic Poem, Beowulf-The Geats Epic

    618 Words  | 2 Pages

    “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” This quote is by Christopher Reeve and describes Beowulf perfectly. Beowulf is one of the oldest pieces of writing in the English language, whose author is yet to be discovered. Beowulf’s various human qualities, symbol of hope for multiple nations, and ability to conquer enemies at any cost proves that Beowulf is a true epic hero.

    Read More

  • Dragons in Beowulf and in Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene

    1988 Words  | 4 Pages

    various plot-lines. In Beowulf, our hero is called upon to defend his helpless people from a dragon that

    Read More

  • Beowulf The Hero

    860 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf’s fight against the dragon shows Beowulf as a hero. Although Beowulf had previously defeated two other foes, he stands fast and fights his most formidable foe yet, the dragon. Dragons were notoriously difficult to kill, and the poem states that it was a great man, who could kill a dragon, even if it meant losing one's life. While others cower away Beowulf fights the dragon. Beowulf defeats the dragon but loses his life in the same instance. Like the classical hero Beowulf loses his special status in death. Beowulf sought no compensation for his services; the mere satisfaction of helping others was pay enough. Like his two previous battles Beowulf fights for those who could not fight for themselves.

    Read More

  • An Analysis of the Epic Poem, Beowulf - Bravery in Beowulf

    499 Words  | 1 Pages

    First of all, Beowulf came to help Hrothgar on his own free will. Hearing of the troubles that Hrothgar was having with a monster terrorizing Herot, his mead hall, Beowulf bravely offered his help not knowing what he was up against. When he arrived, Beowulf did not ask the king for either money nor fame. The only favor that he asked of Hrothgar was that he and his men were to fight the monster, Grendel. Coming away from one's homeland to help get rid of a man-eating monster and asking for nothing in return takes much courage and is an extremely brave deed.

    Read More

  • Similarities And Differences And Challenges In The Tale Of Beowulf

    944 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the story, Beowulf fights three battles against frightening monsters. Beowulf, the prince of the Geats, was a well known warrior with extreme strength who makes a promise to protect his people under any circumstance. In the poem, his strength is tested, but he uses it to save many people in battles against: Grendel, Grendel 's mother, and a dragon. Before, during, and after each of these battles Beowulf shows many similarities and differences in his actions.

    Read More

  • Epic Hero: Beowulf

    757 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Why Is Beowulf An Epic Hero

    713 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf is an epic hero for many reasons. A few of Beowulf’s characteristics that make him an epic hero are strength, honor, and the ability to rule justly. Beowulf is also an epic hero because, he defeated Grendel, Grendel’s mother and helped defeated the dragon. Last but not least Beowulf is a hero because he is brave/ bold. These are just a few examples of many possessions that Beowulf contains that make him one epic hero.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Beowulf And The 13th Warrior

    1041 Words  | 3 Pages

    When thinking about epic heroes people mostly have different type of images. Some might think of achieving small tasks is being a hero. Others might think of heroes that are powerful. Similar to what some people think today the Anglo-Saxon also beloved in heroes that are strong, famous and successful. For them it was Beowulf that they admired and thought of him as a hero. Equivalent to Beowulf The 13th Warriors were also known to be epic heroes. One of the significant illustration that both Beowulf and The 13th Warriors show is the importance of strength in battles.

    Read More

  • Beowulf's Epic Heroism

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    An epic hero puts what is best for others before his or her own needs. There are many different forms of heroism, and all shares the same quality, self-sacrifice. With Beowulf, he sacrifices his life to come fight for a country that isn’t even his. Beowulf is an epic hero because he puts himself in harm's way, fearless, for the benefit of others.

    Read More

  • Why is Beowulf considered a hero?

    623 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the beginning of the story, a mythical monster named Grendel who is attacking King Hrothgar’s mead hall Herot. When Beowulf hears of this tragedy, he volunteers to go and fight the mythical beast. The author wrote, “So Beowulf chose the mightiest men he could find the bravest and the best of the Geats, fourteen In all.” Once Beowulf arrives, he is given a feast and then decides to stay in Herot overnight to confront Grendel. Grendel then arrives and kills one of the Geats before Beowulf can get into the battle. Beowulf then goes hand-to-hand against Grendel and ends up tearing off Grendel’s shoulder. Grendel then retreats to his lair to die. This is only a mere example of why Beowulf is a hero.

    Read More

  • Beowulf, Element Of Epics

    1217 Words  | 3 Pages

    An epic hero is a main character who embodies the ideals of a certain culture. The character is named Beowulf and he represents the ideals of the Anglo-Saxon culture which were bravery, skillfulness, and generosity. Beowulf showed his braveness multiple times throughout the story. After he heard of a monster named Grendel who, for twelve years had been attacking King Hrothgar's mead hall Heorot, Beowulf traveled to the Danish islands to defeat him. Even though Beowulf didn't know anything about Grendel he went on a long voyage to reach the islands so that the Hrothgar's people need not live in fear. Then, after Beowulf Grendel, Grendel's mother came after the people of Heorot to avenge her son's death. To reach her, Beowulf had to dive into dark dangerous waters, facing unknown peril. He swam down through the shadowy lake by himself fighting off monsters the whole way. Once he did arrive at her lair a vicious fight ensued, but the courageous Beowulf came out victorious once again. Later in Beowulf's life, a dragon destroys his village and the large mead hall he had built for his men. Even though he knew he was no longer as agile and strong, Beowulf went straight to the dragon and gave a defiant shout of challenge.

    Read More

  • Beowulf as an epic

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf also contains an epic hero. The title of the poem has been named after our epic hero, Beowulf. In definition, an epic hero is someone that does larger than life deeds and is stronger and smarter than any normal man; and Beowulf fits this description as if the mold were made for him. He has the strength of thirty men and uses it as a major weapon against evil. This can be seen through Beowulf’s battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.

    Read More

More about Compare And Contrast Shrek And Beowulf

Open Document