Three Different Heroes

Beowulf, the epic hero from England, gains immortal glory by slaying Grendel and saving the people of Herot. Beowulf achieves this by killing Grendel, slaying sea monsters, and ridding the land of a dragon, but only for the aid of others. Gilgamesh, the epic hero of Mesopotamia, is a king, who like Beowulf, wants immortal glory. Unlike Beowulf, however, Gilgamesh risks the lifes of others in his selfish attempt to gain it. He foolishly seeks a battle with Humbaba, who never truly posed a threat to Gilgamesh, and it results with the death of Gilgamesh's best friend Enkidu. Achilles, the Greek hero, is very much different from Beowulf and Gilgamesh. Instead of glory, Achilles seeks revenge for the death of his friend Patroclus who was killed by the Hector. Achilles' rage drives him to defeat Hector which glorifies Achilles.