Achilles And Beowulf: A Modern Day Hero

A modern day hero isn’t fighting on the front lines, they are often over 6,000 miles away behind a computer screen (Cannon). Heroes have evolved from brash, brave fearless foot soldiers of the first world wars, too often people you will never see their face or name. What we have now is no loss of the brave, and brash, but a gain in secrecy throughout the war on terrorism. Achilles the most famous Greek hero, and Beowulf a brave, courageous Danish hero of old. Two pivotal heroes of ancient mythology pitted against each other in a comparison of their deepest values. Achilles a man born for war called upon to fight in one of the greatest wars Greece has ever seen. Beowulf a hero who traveled without a calling to a place he cared nothing about, to kill a monster who meant nothing to him. Achilles fought for King Agamemnon in Troy for the “face that launched a thousand ships”. Prince Paris got greedy and took what wasn’t his, and now Achilles will write his name in the sand for all eternity by killing his cousin’s slayer, great Hector. …show more content…
Beowulf was the more honorable hero of the two when he fought Grendel with his bare hands out of fairness. He lied in wait for Grendel and played no tricks on him whatsoever. While this is ingrained in the blood of Beowulf, Achilles was not so honorable. He pouted when his prize was taken away, and refused to fight in the battle. When he lost his cousin Patroclus to great Hector he went into battle to avenge him with no plan of honor to his killer. When Achilles defeated Hector he touted his win and dragged his lifeless body around for all of Troy to see. While Achilles was not more honorable than Beowulf, Achilles was a far better warrior. Even though Beowulf fought unarmed, Achilles faced an entire army and many gods betting against him while suffering from the loss of his