Hero Archetypes and Epic Conventions in the Odyssey and...

Hero Archetypes and Epic Conventions in The Odyssey and Beowulf It is remarkable how closely one can compare two epics that have such diverse and unique historical and cultural backgrounds. A Greek poet named Homer wrote The Odyssey sometime from BC 1400-900 during the Mycenaean Period. The epic preceding The Odyssey, called The Iliad, revolves around Achilles, the hero of the commonly known Trojan Wars. The Odyssey is a continuation of The Iliad and deals with Odysseus, another hero of the Trojan Wars, who has been on a quest to reach his family in Ithaca for ten years and is continuously hampered by various trials. Odysseus is believed by many to have been a much-loved Mycenaean king (Milch 67-68). Beowulf, on the other hand, does not†¦show more content†¦They have seen my strength for themselves, Have watched me rise from the darkness of war, Dripping with my enemies blood. I drove Five great giants into chains, chased All of that race from the earth. (Raffel 171-177) Beowulf claims, That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall, (Raffel 187-188). This constant emphasis on the prevailing can also be seen in phrases such as, I had chosen to remain close to his side. I remained near him for five long nights, (Raffel 263) and the dramatic, My purpose was this: to win the good will of your people or die in battle, pressed in Grendels fierce grip, (Raffel 354). Beowulf, unlike Odysseus, uses brute force to accomplish his goals. Intelligence and wit are prominent in The Odyssey, while in Beowulf, raw strength can be seen during his conflict with Grendel. He twisted in pain, and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped, muscle and bone split and broke. The battle was over... (Raffel 468-470). This overwhelming emphasis on violence is found in its Christian roots of martyrdom. Beowulf cites his causes for vanquishing evil here, ...[Beowulf] had driven affliction off, purged Herot clean. He was happy, now, with that n ights fierce work; the Danes had been served...Beowulf, a prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel, ended the grief, (Raffel 478-483). Ongoing quests of destruction lead Beowulf to forfeit his own life so the lives of others can be saved. He