Beowulf Vs. Achilles Essay - 754 Words

Tasia McCoy Sophia DeSilva English 12 30 September 2015 Beowulf Vs. Achilles The Old English poem, Beowulf, doesn’t have an author. Nobody is one hundred percent sure about the history of Beowulf. All they know is that its about a warrior and a monster in conflict. Homer wrote â€Å"The Iliad,† roughly a thousand years before Beowulf. They were both a part of the ancient Greek world. Though Homer was blind, some scholars believe that a philosopher as a blind man had an exceptional inner vision. (72) The theme revolves around the war between Greece and Troy in twelve hundred B.C. Beowulf and Achilles both fulfill their role of an epic hero by making sacrifices, following the rules by their own individual beliefs and cultures. Also by showing†¦show more content†¦As you know, Old English stories like these ones have their own individual beliefs and cultures. Around this period of time, twelve hundred B.C., it is important to follow the culture and beliefs they were born into or developed together along the way. Achill es believed it was only fair to torture the one who killed his best friend, as to Beowulf who was not one to seek revenge. â€Å"Indeed, he had in mind for Hector’s body outrage and shame. Behind both feet he pierced the tendons, heel to ankle. Rawhide cords he drew through both and lashed them to his chariot, letting the mans head trail.† (246-250) Homer. Achilles had in mind a vulgar plan on how to dispose of Hector’s body in the worst way possible. He tied Hector to his chariot, by his feet, and drove to drag his body into pieces until he was dismantled. The Greek warrior, Achilles, found no mercy in Hector for killing Potroclus. He did what any other Greek warrior would’ve done for a loved one. Their belief in revenge is so strong and profound that it could lead them to the death of a person. Achilles and Beowulf both had an abundance amount of acts of bravery. That is the strongest trait that they share. They never cared how dangerous a situation mi ght have been, they always went in for the kill. â€Å"Achilles glazed in wonder at the splendid king, and his