"There are heroes in evil as well as in good" (Francois de la Rochefoucauls). A hero to one may be a villain to another. Heroism is viewed in many ways Beowulf, The Iliad and Sir Gawain and The Green Knight are all epic poems that display the ideas of heroism through various situations and characters.
In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf is an ideal character where his background and personality befits the direct definition of an epic hero. Throughout the poem there are multiple instances where Beowulf shows characteristics of an epic hero. In a formal tone he spoke " I swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one; death was my errand and the fate they had earned." (Beowulf 155-159) throughout his journeys the poem incorporated the universal theme of good vs evil. Beowulf preformed multitude of courageous acts battling against …show more content…
Even though Achilles was the primary focus of the poem Hector was a hero that represent both epic and everyday hero. Before Achille's revenge duel for his best friend Patroclus Hector stated "I'll not insult your corpse should Zeus allow me victory in the end, your life as prize. Once I have your gear, I'll give your body back to Achaeans. Grant me too, this grace." (The Iliad 82-85) at that time period honor was very important to the Greeks especially if it were a noble or someone part of the royal family. Hector was honorable enough to request to be treated with respect if he were to be killed by Achilles for there Hector would of liked the same. However this is not the only reason Hector is considered to be the hero of the story. When Achilles's best friend was slaughtered by Hector, "Hector cut him down, despoiled him of my own arms, massive and fine, a wonder to all men's eyes."(The Iliad 16-18) Hector was just defending his land and people believing Patroclus was Achilles since he wore Achilles's armor to
In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf is an ideal character where his background and personality befits the direct definition of an epic hero. Throughout the poem there are multiple instances where Beowulf shows characteristics of an epic hero. In a formal tone he spoke " I swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one; death was my errand and the fate they had earned." (Beowulf 155-159) throughout his journeys the poem incorporated the universal theme of good vs evil. Beowulf preformed multitude of courageous acts battling against …show more content…
Even though Achilles was the primary focus of the poem Hector was a hero that represent both epic and everyday hero. Before Achille's revenge duel for his best friend Patroclus Hector stated "I'll not insult your corpse should Zeus allow me victory in the end, your life as prize. Once I have your gear, I'll give your body back to Achaeans. Grant me too, this grace." (The Iliad 82-85) at that time period honor was very important to the Greeks especially if it were a noble or someone part of the royal family. Hector was honorable enough to request to be treated with respect if he were to be killed by Achilles for there Hector would of liked the same. However this is not the only reason Hector is considered to be the hero of the story. When Achilles's best friend was slaughtered by Hector, "Hector cut him down, despoiled him of my own arms, massive and fine, a wonder to all men's eyes."(The Iliad 16-18) Hector was just defending his land and people believing Patroclus was Achilles since he wore Achilles's armor to