The mythological tales that are studied today all stem from the early periods of Anglo-Saxon literature. These stories have been based on ancient views of heroism and larger-than-life characters(Beers 14). Each character in each epic faces many challenges and defeats, which form them into the character they are. Not only do the conflicts they face form them into who they are, but it is also the setting and plot of the story itself. In certain conditions, characters are forced to make important decisions which also shows the character they truly are. This element of literature can be found in Holt Elements of Literature along with mythsandlegends.com. The characterization of the epic heroes and warriors play a significant role in shaping the
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The choices that a character makes throughout the stories determines the type of person they are meant to be in the plot. In Beowulf, Grendel snuck in Herot and started to eat and kill Hrothgar’s men. “Grendel snatched at the first Geat he came to, ripped him apart, cut his body into bits with his powerful jaws” (Beers 14). In this scene, Beowulf had to step up in order to be the epic hero of the story. He used nothing but his natural strength to defeat the monster and save the men, which developed him into the character he was meant to be. Also, when Grendel’s mother could not be harmed by any weapon, Beowulf proved his heroic traits once again by defying all odds and killing her with a magical sword which he took off a wall (Beers 14). In the story of “Gilgamesh”, Gilgamesh froze for a moment because of his fear to fight Humbaba, so Enkidu had to attempt to take down the monster alone (Beers 14). Gilgamesh overcame his fear when he saw Enkidu being beaten. This was when Gilgamesh became an epic hero after saving his friend's life and killing the giant Humbaba. In the short story of “Perseus and Medusa”, the evil King Polydectes purposely challenges Perseus to do an impossible task in order to get rid of him so the king can be with Perseus’s mom, Danae. Perseus is sent to several different location in order …show more content…
By placing the characters in difficult battles, where they are forced to make certain decisions, it allows their choices to define who they are as a character. Beowulf has done something no one has ever done before, which is severely injuring and almost killing Grendel with nothing but the strength of his own hands. “In the darkness, the horrible shrieks of pain and defeat, the tears torn out of Grendel’s taut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms of him who of all the men on earth was the strongest.” (Beers 14). The conflict between the two ends with Beowulf winning, declaring him an epic hero. Beowulf stumbles upon more conflict when he figures out there is no way to harm Grendel’s mother's monster skin. He defies all odds once again when he discovers and a magic sword and does the impossible; kill the monster (Beers 14). In the short story of “Gilgamesh”, Enkidu is frightened before approaching Humbaba, which created conflict that Gilgamesh was forced to overcome (Beers 14). From then on the two characters support each other and are able to defeat the giant. Towards the end of the story, Humbaba was about to make his final strike on Enkidu. That when Gilgamesh overcomes his injuries to step up and save his friend (Beers 14). Perseus is an ideal example of being brave in the face of adversity. When Perseus is faced with a challenge to complete a
The choices that a character makes throughout the stories determines the type of person they are meant to be in the plot. In Beowulf, Grendel snuck in Herot and started to eat and kill Hrothgar’s men. “Grendel snatched at the first Geat he came to, ripped him apart, cut his body into bits with his powerful jaws” (Beers 14). In this scene, Beowulf had to step up in order to be the epic hero of the story. He used nothing but his natural strength to defeat the monster and save the men, which developed him into the character he was meant to be. Also, when Grendel’s mother could not be harmed by any weapon, Beowulf proved his heroic traits once again by defying all odds and killing her with a magical sword which he took off a wall (Beers 14). In the story of “Gilgamesh”, Gilgamesh froze for a moment because of his fear to fight Humbaba, so Enkidu had to attempt to take down the monster alone (Beers 14). Gilgamesh overcame his fear when he saw Enkidu being beaten. This was when Gilgamesh became an epic hero after saving his friend's life and killing the giant Humbaba. In the short story of “Perseus and Medusa”, the evil King Polydectes purposely challenges Perseus to do an impossible task in order to get rid of him so the king can be with Perseus’s mom, Danae. Perseus is sent to several different location in order …show more content…
By placing the characters in difficult battles, where they are forced to make certain decisions, it allows their choices to define who they are as a character. Beowulf has done something no one has ever done before, which is severely injuring and almost killing Grendel with nothing but the strength of his own hands. “In the darkness, the horrible shrieks of pain and defeat, the tears torn out of Grendel’s taut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms of him who of all the men on earth was the strongest.” (Beers 14). The conflict between the two ends with Beowulf winning, declaring him an epic hero. Beowulf stumbles upon more conflict when he figures out there is no way to harm Grendel’s mother's monster skin. He defies all odds once again when he discovers and a magic sword and does the impossible; kill the monster (Beers 14). In the short story of “Gilgamesh”, Enkidu is frightened before approaching Humbaba, which created conflict that Gilgamesh was forced to overcome (Beers 14). From then on the two characters support each other and are able to defeat the giant. Towards the end of the story, Humbaba was about to make his final strike on Enkidu. That when Gilgamesh overcomes his injuries to step up and save his friend (Beers 14). Perseus is an ideal example of being brave in the face of adversity. When Perseus is faced with a challenge to complete a