Epic Hero- A main character in an epic whose legendary or heroic actions are central to his/her culture, race, or nation. Every character involved in the story has their own personality and traits, some of these traits are shared, and some of them are not. Gilgamesh, Beowulf, Hector, and Achilles are characters that are very self-confident, courageous, and skillful, or the opposite! Self Confident. A measure of one’s belief in one’s own abilities. Each character portrayed this characteristic, with Beowulf it was when he went to war with Grendel without any armor on. I would rather not use a weapon if I knew another way to grapple/ with the dragon and make good boast/ as I did against Grendal in the days gone by. ”(“Beowulf” 33) This quote shows that Beowulf is so confident he’s going to win the battle he’s telling his peers he’s not going to wear any armor to defeat the monster Grendel. Gilgamesh shows a great deal of self confidence when he is to defeat Humbaba. “I will defeat him/ in cedar forest”(Mason 48) this quote shows that Gilgamesh has no doubt that he will defeat the enemy when he tells his friend Enkidu before they go off to fight Humbaba.
Finally Achilles shows self confidence to when he’s chasing down Hector, like prey. “Achilles shook his head at the armies/, never letting them hurl their sharp spears at Hector. ”(Homer 59) This shows that Achilles has confidence in his self, and doesn’t want anyone to take what’s his, he know he can catch up with Hector and he wont stop till he catches up with him. Courageous – a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear.
Beowulf shows courageous in numerous times in the story, but one that sticks out is when he is getting ready to fight Grendel’s mom who is bigger and I imagine a lot scarier! “He leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s answer. ”(Beowulf) This quote shows that Beowulf was ready when he said he was ready and didn’t wait on anyone to give him the okay, I find this action courageous, because Beowulf showed no sign of hesitation, or fright. Gilgamesh shows courageous acts throughout the narrative, but one that sticks out to me as being a brave soul, is when he’s off to fight Humbaba. I will go ahead of you, and if I die in war/ I will at least have the reward of having people say: “he died in war/ against Humbaba. ”(Mason 48)
This quote shows that Gilgamesh would rather die in battle instead of wait at home and do nothing about the situation, Gilgamesh only want the satisfaction from the people, that’s more than enough for him even if he has to die for the honor, but things change when he actually come to his destination “After three days, they reached the edge of the forest where Humbaba watch man stood. Suddenly it was Gilgamesh who was afraid. (Mason 49) Hector shows the opposite of this characteristic, because he’s running away from a fight in the beginning of the narrative. “Hector, nonstop/ as a hound in the mountains starts a fawn from it’s lair, hunting him down the gorges, down the narrow glens/ and the fawn goes to ground, hiding deep in brush. ”(Homer 58) This quote shows that Achilles is the hound and Hector is the fawn, Hector begin the weaker of the two animals, is running from Achilles, which is the hound. Skillful-the ability, coming from one’s knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc. , to do something well.
Beowulf shows skillfulness when he goes to fight Grendel’s mom, not only is he carrying a sword no other man can even pick up, he’s also in full armor, and has to battle in the water. “Carrying the sword Hrunting, Beowulf goes to the lake where Grendel’s mother has her underwater lair. Then, fully armed, he drives to the depths of this watery hell. ”(Beowulf 26) This shows that not only is he equipped with heavy armor and the sword he goes to fight without even a second thought. Achilles show skills when he’s chasing after Hector in the beginning of the narrative. “Hector could never throw Achilles off his trail. (Homer58) This quote shows that Achilles is skilled in finding Hector and catching up with him. Gilgamesh shows skillfulness also when he’s in battle with Humbaba. And then he raised his ax up higher and swung it in the perfect arc into Humbaba’s neck. ” (Mason 53) This quote shows that Gilgamesh killed the monster, and perfectly. Epic heroes come in many shapes and sizes, Hero’s can be weak and strong in different areas, but if they do something courageous, skillful, or is very confident in their self, others will believe in them, and follow, making them Heroes.
