Culture is the combination of people’s beliefs and qualities that make the group of people different from the rest. Culture is passed down through generations either orally or written down and remembered through literature. An accurate way to learn about one’s culture is to read stories and epic poems written from that time and age. These epic poems and stories are windows into one’s culture. Although all cultures are different in their own ways, there are always similarities to be found. Beowulf, an epic poem anonymously written originally in Anglo-Saxon, and The Odyssey, an epic poem of the Greeks written by Homer. These two epic poem heroes have the same perspective toward situations when it comes to leadership and battling; instead of the
…show more content…
Beowulf is clever in the attack of Grendel and faces him unarmed. Although Beowulf has gets most of his courage from arrogance and trust in himself, he cleverly defeats Grendel thanks to those qualities. Since those qualities help him become a greater warrior, more people look up to him and his qualities are looked up to as well. “When it comes to fighting, I count myself/ as dangerous any day as Grendel./ So it won’t be cutting edge I’ll wield/ to mow him down, easily as I might./ He has no idea of the art of war, of shield or sword-play, although he does possess/ a wild strength. No weapons, therefore,/ for either this night: unarmed he shall face me/ if face me he dares. And may the Divine Lord/ in His wisdom grant the glory of victory to whichever side He sees fit.” (Beowulf,47). Clever meaning taking everything surrounding the situation into consideration and making an artful plan according to their observations. Being a leader means being looked up to by the people around you and being able to help the people as a group make the right decisions. Odysseus also has courage and cleverness, as well as some arrogance that keeps him hopeful on his pursuit for home. Beowulf has almost too much arrogance but this trait makes him strong and a good leader because he has so much faith in himself. He acknowledges the fact that with weapons he could easily take down this beast, but with his confidence and arrogance he comes to the conclusion that he will face him unarmed. Since epic poems often reflect how a culture is, these two heroes have characteristics that seem to be useful as a leader in their
Beowulf is clever in the attack of Grendel and faces him unarmed. Although Beowulf has gets most of his courage from arrogance and trust in himself, he cleverly defeats Grendel thanks to those qualities. Since those qualities help him become a greater warrior, more people look up to him and his qualities are looked up to as well. “When it comes to fighting, I count myself/ as dangerous any day as Grendel./ So it won’t be cutting edge I’ll wield/ to mow him down, easily as I might./ He has no idea of the art of war, of shield or sword-play, although he does possess/ a wild strength. No weapons, therefore,/ for either this night: unarmed he shall face me/ if face me he dares. And may the Divine Lord/ in His wisdom grant the glory of victory to whichever side He sees fit.” (Beowulf,47). Clever meaning taking everything surrounding the situation into consideration and making an artful plan according to their observations. Being a leader means being looked up to by the people around you and being able to help the people as a group make the right decisions. Odysseus also has courage and cleverness, as well as some arrogance that keeps him hopeful on his pursuit for home. Beowulf has almost too much arrogance but this trait makes him strong and a good leader because he has so much faith in himself. He acknowledges the fact that with weapons he could easily take down this beast, but with his confidence and arrogance he comes to the conclusion that he will face him unarmed. Since epic poems often reflect how a culture is, these two heroes have characteristics that seem to be useful as a leader in their