Beowulf vs Thor - 1515 Words

Beowulf vs. Thor Beowulf, a legendary hero of Geatish lore, from the epic poem named after him, is the definition of a hero. There is one being who can be collated to Beowulf: the mighty Thor, god of thunder. Derived from Norse mythology, Thor is hot-headed, with an appetite for food and drink. He also is one of the strongest gods, serving as the protector of the people. Both of these characters share similar qualities in what some would define a hero, despite one being a man, and the other being a deity. Thor is one of the most famous of the gods in Norse mythology, well known due to his popularity. Thor is described as having a quick and hot temper, and a love for food. The enemies of the gods, the giants, were on the receiving end of†¦show more content†¦Beowulf starts out as a mighty warrior with nothing to lose, in contrast to his mentor, King Hrothgar, a wise king who wishes to protect his people. Beowulf learns from Hrothgar gaining the qualities fit for a king. Thor and Beowulf were mighty fighters. Thor had iron gloves, a strengthening girdle, and an invincible hammer. Ingri d’Aulaire’s book of Norse Myths does well to describe these, â€Å"For who, as Loki said, would belive that he came to Jotunheim on a friendly visit if he brought his hammer, his iron mitt, and his belt of strength?† (Ingri dAulaire, 2005) Beowulf fights without the use of weapons against Grendel, revealing his enormous strength. â€Å"Moreover, the seafarers, who carried th ither rich gifts as good-will offerings to the Geats, have said that he, strong in battle, had in the grip of his hand the strength of thirty men.† (Beowulf, p. 26) Against Grendel’s mother, he uses the sword Hrunting. In the poem, Beowulf receives the sword Hrunting, â€Å"the name of the hilted sword was Hrunting, and it was one of the greatest among the olden treasures; its blade was of iron, stained with poison-twigs, hardened with the blood of battle; it had never failed any man whose hand had wielded it in the fight, any who durst go on perilous adventures to the field of battle; — it was not the first time that it had need to do high deeds.† (Beowulf, p. 71) Both Thor and Beowulf battle their enemies. According to one well-known myth about Thor, Thrym, king of theShow MoreRelatedOn What Occasions Does Norse Mythology Play an Important Role in Beowulf?964 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction On what occasions does Norse Mythology play an important role in Beowulf? Throughout the story of Beowulf, Norse Mythology has been an important factor of the story’s continuation. While they both have interactions with Christianity, they are both very important. Norse Mythology has existed as early as the 10th century. Just like how Beowulf, and many other epics have been told, Norse mythology was preserved through the tradition of oral preservation. Norse Mythology It is saidRead MoreDragon as a Metaphor1646 Words   |  7 PagesHistorians believe that the original Dragonslayer story was the English epic, Beowulf, written sometime between the eighth and eleventh centuries. The story of the Dragonslayer is that of a Hero, who starts off insignificant, but after his journey, is strong enough to face and defeat the evil Dragon. The Hero’s Journey is split into three phases; in order they are: Separation, Initiation, and the Return. The story of Beowulf was written for a specific purpose, other than creating a whole genre. The