The legends of Beowulf and Odysseus, from the epic poems Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney and The Odyssey by Homer, tell the story of two men of mythical proportions both admired by their people for demonstrating immense courage. A man wishing to prove himself must meet their culture’s idea of courage and heroistic values. Hospitality and feasting characterize a part Greek culture, the Anglo Saxons perhaps appear more aggressive from this point of view, as they participate in a vicious revenge cycle and typically only celebrate after a great win. The culture that surrounds these two epics affect their views of heroism; Odysseus accepts help along his journeys without any cost to his military prowess, on the other hand Beowulf remains independent …show more content…
When Odysseus and his crew arrive on Circe’s island, the goddess known for turning men that come ashore to swine. Hermes flies down from Olympus, “But wait, I can save you, free you from that great danger./ Look, here is a potent drug. Take it to Circe’s halls-/ its power alone will shield you from the fatal day.” (Homer 10.317-19). Thanks to Hermes Odysseus proves his strength by resisting Circe’s spell, giving him the edge he needs to talk Circe into releasing his crew from their forlorn fate. Their near disastrous experience binding their relationships tighter. Odysseus uses his leadership to facilitate communal relations amongst people, this group mentality differs from the sense of self that Beowulf represents. Beowulf uses his own power to shield the Geats rather than promoting the society’s …show more content…
Greek culture indicates the importance of the group over self; Odysseus strays from this way of thought at times. He insists upon hearing the song of the lovely sirens who lure men to their deaths with their sweet melody, “‘… their enchanting song, their meadow starred flowers./ I alone was to hear their voices,” (Homer 12.173-174). No man had ever survived their seductive tune, except Odysseus. His crew present when Odysseus urges them to head toward the sirens, following the song, but they are immune to the enchanting song, their wax filled ears allowing them to continue on their path. Odysseus’s experience adds to his legend, giving him a tale no other could tell. Imagine the pride that comes from holding a memory so unique and precious; their search for glory connects Odysseus to Beowulf. Beowulf epitomizes pride, constantly out to prove himself to others and add to the legends. Even in old age Beowulf insists on defeating the “sky-plague” himself rather than order another to complete the formidable task. Beowulf could never die a mundane death, his pride like that of ancestral kings preventing him from dying any other way than fighting evil, “‘Fate swept us away,/ Sent my whole brave high-born clan/ to their final doom. Now I must follow them.’” (Heaney l. 2815-16). Upon his death bed Beowulf foreshadows the future decline of the Geats while elevating
In Beowulf, the essence left behind by a true hero is extremely important. In epics such as this one, leaders tend to have the determination and boldness of a hero. On the other hand, the main character, Beowulf, does not only display these certain traits. In this heroic poem, respect and trust come naturally. Honor and integrity are present throughout the poem. There are many moments in Beowulf that manifest the many traits that a person should have. This proves how important these attributes are to the characters and the Anglo-Saxon society. Although Beowulf has no known author, it embodies many of the beliefs and morals of the early Germanic society. The author of this epic poem uses many approaches in order to demonstrate that respect and trust are fundamental characteristics of a leader and hero.
Northern Europe developed in a different way than the Mediterranean however; hold many similarities in their religion, leadership, and hospitality. These common influences are seen in The Odyssey, The Iliad, and Gilgamesh. These three epic poems have many common influences seen in Beowulf.
Many diverse cultures exist across the globe, differing in several aspects, such as beliefs, practices, and values. An example of two cultures that demonstrate dissimilar values are Ancient Anglo-Saxon and Ancient Mesopotamian. These two cultures are known to have expressed opposing heroic values. Two texts that can be accurately used in this comparison are Beowulf, an Ancient Anglo-Saxon text, and The Epic of Gilgamesh, an Ancient Mesopotamian text.
The Iliad, the Odyssey, Beowulf, and Hamlet are classical stories that are still relatable and debatable to read and discuss. Though some of the stories are intertwined or continue off one another, the character and stories are distinctive. The stories contain different hero development and progression among them. All the stories contain an idea or concept of a hero that may not necessarily have to do with gaining power or control like modern superheroes. Power and control are referred to having to be the ruler and having the ability to do what you'd like. The modern heroes selflessness of a human on duty or even volunteering, and that person’s willingness to put their own lives on the line for the lives of absolute strangers, is specifically the quality that redefines the modern hero and separates them from heroes in the past.
Comparing Two Heroes - Beowulf and Odysseus Reading through Beowulf, I began to compare it to the last great epic I read, Homer’s Odyssey. While the Odyssey and Beowulf are both examples of both historic and modern ideas of heroism, the acts of Beowulf’s hero seem to fit better within its context. Beowulf exhibits many obvious heroic qualities, such as his strength and confidence in battle. These, along with more subtle diplomatic actions, serve to define him as both a great warrior and leader. Beowulf shows both wit and patience in his swift retort after Unferth challenges his skill.
Odysseus is known as a great war hero and leader who encounters and conquers unimaginable obstacles in his quest to return to Ithaca. This is understandable, given that Homer often uses Odysseus’ point of view in recounting his tortuous ten-year journey. However, beneath the surface is another perspective that is often overlooked, namely, that of Odysseus’ men who accompany him on this journey. Odysseus often glosses over his shortcomings as a leader and accentuates or even exaggerates his successes. If his men had been given more of a voice, it is likely that a different account of Odysseus’ leadership qualities would have been presented. For instance, Odysseus takes great pains to portray himself as an innocent victim and Homer’s readers generally accept this perspective. Odysseus’ hubris makes him careless when it comes to the safety of his men and therefore, an unreliable leader. Careful analysis of the scenes featuring Cicones, Aeolus and the Winds, and Scylla and Charybdis reveals that Odysseus often fails to transcend his own self-interest and ultimately he is the one responsible for the deaths of his men.
Epic heroes usually exemplify the character traits most admired in their societies, and Beowulf is no exception. "Beowulf" is set in the Anglo-Saxon society, a time when war was rampant among the many peoples trying to take over the different kingdoms of England. In this dangerous, violent time people lived in constant peril and jeopardy. These conditions only allowed people of great bravery to survive and men of outstanding courage were admired the populous. These warriors fought for their leader and tribe in return for treasure and protection. This relationship between the lord and his men was the basis of the Anglo-Saxon society. The epic poem "Beowulf" is a perfect example of how this system worked in these trying times.
In Anglo-Saxon culture heroes were determined by their bravery, strength, and glory. In the epic Beowulf, Beowulf is the epitome of an Anglo-Saxon hero because he displays all of these traits. Beowulf exhibits his bravery in the way he fearlessly goes into each of his three battles. He then displays his strength as he defeats each of the monsters. Finally, Beowulf is glorified by his comrades because of his heroic actions. Beowulf is an epic hero because he embodies his people’s ideals of bravery, strength, and glory through his battles.
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.
Every culture has many stories and poems to represent what they believe in, and what they look for in a hero. The heroes written in these stories and myths are brave, and are leaders. However, every hero comes with a flaw or two. The epic poem Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, has an extraordinary hero named Beowulf. Beowulf was a hero to the Anglo-Saxons which were fierce warriors who fought a lot. Beowulf fights many brutal monsters and threats in his days, but the most barbaric of them all is the inside threat within him. Beowulf had a big ego, and focused more on creating a name for himself than thinking about the real risks ahead. Two of his major battles that he faced along with his internal peril was against the dragon, and the beast Grendel.
In Homer’s Odyssey Odysseus shows his yearning for adventure and that challenging himself brings him happiness through his actions not his thoughts. Even in the clutches of a raging cyclopes Odysseus’ accepts the challenge at hand and persevere through the loss of some of his men. “My name is Nohbdy,” he tells Polyphemus who is drunk from the liquor Odysseus had given him before. The giant “reeled and tumbled backward,”. He son fell asleep and the next stages of his plan fell into place. When the sharpened log was hot enough for his liking he and a few other men “bored that great eye socket,”(380). Instead of letting his men die while he cracked under the pressure Odysseus remained calm and allowed himself to think. Having achieved his goal of defeating the mighty cyclopes he rejoiced in his valiancy. Odysseus exuded happiness when most of his men got out alive. Odysseus’ habits of getting his men into seemingly inescapable predicaments continues on the island of Cersei. At the gate of the witch’s island his need for adventure takes the best of his judgement. Against the advice of Eurylochus Odysseus “rushes to save his men from the enchantress,” (387). Odysseus’ need for thrill and excitement draws him onto the island. He knows that he will suffer the same fate but makes a decision in the heat of the moment that could've made him unable to return home, but he wasn’t thinking of home, he purely wanted to get his men back. Throughout his journey Odysseus perfectly represents the bond between a man’s adventures and the challenges they bring to
Beowulf, written between the 8th and 10th centuries, is an epic poem set in southern Sweden. The poem illustrates the Anglo-Saxon’s strong belief in the heroic code. The loyalty between the warrior and his king bound the culture together. The warrior was the ultimate hero who represented strength and courage. Beowulf, the hero in the poem, illustrates the Germanic principles of the heroic code. Through the battles and character interactions, Beowulf converges loyalty, strength, courage and forgiveness into the hero archetype.
Beowulf is an epic poem that, above all, gives the reader an idea of a time long past; a time when the most important values were courage and integrity. The only factors that could bestow shower fame upon a person were heroic deeds and family lineage. Beowulf, as the paradigm of pagan heroes, exhibited his desire to amass fame and fortune; the only way to do so was to avenge the death of others. This theme of retribution that is ever present throughout the poem seems to color the identities of its characters.
In this case, I have the opportunity to become immortal or stay a human. The human condition is something that is of specific interest to anyone who is analyzing a text. In The Odyssey and Beowulf, the reader sees the human capacity for love, the human capacity for leadership and also the tendency for humans want to be arrogant. The Odyssey speaks to the human capacity for love through Odysseus’s determination to return home. Odysseus had many enticing temptations that he could have indulged in, but in doing so he would have to give up his dream of returning to Ithaca. In book five the reader first finds Odysseus on an island with Calypso, a goddess who has fallen madly in love with Odysseus and has trapped him on her island. Hermes is sent by the gods to demand that Calypso let Odysseus be allowed to journey back to Ithaca. Hermes finds Odysseus, “On a headland, weeping there as always, wrenching his heart with sobs and groans and anguish, gazing over the barren sea through blinding tears.” Odysseus is on an island with a beautiful goddess who wants nothing more than to be his lover. The temptation to give in to her desperate pleas for love and stay with her on the island had to be somewhat enticing. As if it was not hard enough not to give in to that temptation, Calypso then offers to make Odysseus immortal just so that Calypso and Odysseus could be together forever, but Odysseus is on the highland crying because he wants to return to his family. This speaks to how powerful true love is to humanity. In Beowulf, Beowulf has no family. The closest thing he has to loved ones are the subjects of his rule. In the scene right before Beowulf fights the dragon, the narrator says of Beowulf, “Kinship true can never be marred in a noble mind!” I take this to mean that true relationships, such as the ones that Beowulf
Imagine a world where the lower class rules all, and the upper class rules none. The higher class obeys the rules of the lower class and listen to whatever the peasants say. Works such as Canterbury Tales and Beowulf reflect the religious beliefs and ideals of their day, while also emphasizing and illustrating the failure of the characters to fulfil those ideals. In Beowulf, he is known to want to leave his mark on the world and be the best warrior he can be, even though that may mean his untimely death. This vastly digresses from the theme of Canterbury Tales where religion differs by social hierarchy and personal deviance. Overall, the placement of a person in a social hierarchy may determine or undermine the path of religious pilgrimage