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Fellowship Of The Ring And Beowulf Comparison

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The representation of an epic hero is found throughout Anglo-Saxon literature. The origin of english literature comes from Beowulf, the earliest known work written in old english. Beowulf is a renowned epic that has been around for years and is the basis of epic literature. Beowulf closely relates to another epic film called The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the ring, there are certain attributes in both the film and poem that reflect the epic qualities. Just like any other epic Beowulf and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring contain qualities such as a grand journey or deed of some sort, larger than life hero(s), and divine intervention.

In any epic, the objective of the Hero is typically cliche, the job of the epic hero …show more content…

In the Old English Literature Beowulf, Beowulf takes on the task of protecting Herot from Grendel. Before Beowulf showed up to Herot, Grendel took control and was wreaking havoc for twelve years. Herot fell apart and so did the king, Hrothgar, the only hope was Beowulf. Everyone was depending on him to restore the peace and he did just that. Not only did Beowulf defeat Grendel he also prevented any further attacks on Herot by going after Grendel’s revenge seeking mother. When Beowulf first arrives at Herot he is greeted at the door then escorted to the king where he states “...My people have said, the wisest, most knowing and best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes' Great King “ (lines 149-150). This quote shows how it was his duty to kill Grendel, also shows his boastful hero qualities. While in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo and a group of friends embark on a journey to destroy a ring that hold the power to rule all. “I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though-- I do not know the way”, this was said by Frodo before they started their journey to Mordor. Just like in Beowulf, the deed being done in the film is to protect the people from being controlled unwillingly. These are both heroic deeds because it takes the courage and bravery no ordinary people

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