Jim Goes to Town

Brett Murtagh

Period 5

9/20/12

"Beowulf" and "the Iliad" are two novels that express strife, death, and in the end, victory. Both epics tell stories about a hero who would go to the ends of the world to protect their loves ones, or a nation in its entirety. Both main characters from the story, Beowulf and Achilles, possess the characteristics of a typical epic hero; but, the way the events unveil is what creates incredible stories.

Fame is the condition of being known or talked about by many people. From the first story, "Beowulf", the main character's main goal is to be the greatest warrior to ever live. He wants a long legacy that will be remembered for an eternity. On page 36 we find that Beowulf is "Higlac's follower and strongest of the Geats- greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world." He is wll known as the go-to guy whenever there is a problem. On page 36, it states "He heard how Grendel filled the nights with horror and quickly commanded a boat fitted out; would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed." Not only is Beowulf a great warrior, he is also a strong king. On page 52, it says "After his uncle and cousin died, Beowulf becomes king of the Geats and rules in prosperity for 50 years." The fame depicted in "the Iliad" is much different than in "Beowulf". We know that Achilles is Agamemmon's greatest warrior from page 67. However Achilles doesn't want to continue is legacy to be famous like Beowulf, rather he wants to become one with the gods. This story shows that to die a noble death you will be recreated through art or poetry. Rather than word of mouth, art and poetry lives forever, this pertains to immortality. Achilles wishes to live in immortality like the gods he worships.

Ambition is the strong desire to do or to achieve something. In "Beowulf", he is known for his valiant battles. Beowulf fights many beasts that ordinary men wouldn't be able to defeat and he conquers them. His only drive to fight these "un-winable" creatures is his ambition to be the best warrior and walk this earth. Besides in the last passage "Beowulf's Last Battle", Beowulf doesn't come to terms of fighting when materialistic rewards are offered. Instead he does it to