Short Response Essay: Beowulf Vs Odysseus

Beowulf takes the title of being the most heroic person. When Circe informs Odysseus of the terrors of Charybdis, Scylla, and the Sirens, she advises him to sacrifice six men so everyone else lives. Later on his journey, Odysseus decides to take Circe’s advice and doesn’t warn his men because he thought that “They would have dropped, in panic, to roll for cover under the decking.” Therefore, Scylla was able to make “her strike, whisking six of my best men from the ship.” Odysseus’ actions show Odysseus true colors-his selfish ambitions to get home. Not warning his men just so they wouldn’t panic and he wouldn’t get home isn’t noble at all. His actions caused the death of six, making him a murderer which is not a good trait of a heroic individual. Since Grendel had killed men in Heorot, Beowulf had come to put an end to him. Beowulf’s duel with Grendel was one that was between man and beast and lacked the use of weapons because of their ineffectiveness towards Grendel. At first, Beowulf hid, but then Beowulf’s men surrounded the two with weapons as Grendel “discovered himself/In a hand grip harder than anything/He had ever encountered in any man/On the face of Earth.” Grendel ends up being so terrified by Beowulf’s strength that he shakes Heorot and runs away after tearing off his arm in an effort to escape. The monster later dies in his lair. Using his clever strength and being patient, Beowulf is able to take down the fiend using his supernatural power of strength, without anyone’s help or armor, unlike Odysseus. By comparing the actions and stories of Beowulf and Odysseus, it is quite obvious that Beowulf is more heroic due to his courage or valor, strength, and smarts.

Cheyenne George

Mrs. Klein

9th Grade Literature

Due December 19, 2019

Who Was More Epic: Odysseus, Beowulf, or Sundiata?

Who’s your favorite character in any story? Let me guess... the hero. Resultantly, this is because they are the most heroic person involved. They are strong and powerful beasts. Therefore, they also sacrifice themselves for their goals and they’re courageous, kind, and clever among other things. They draw the most attention to your eyes, keeping you hooked to the story. Despite Sundiata, Beowulf, and Odysseus all being powerful warriors, there is only one who is as kind and ferocious. Sundiata is the most epic hero between these three men because he isn’t selfish or prideful, and he is compassionate and a hard worker.

Firstly, Sundiata isn’t as selfish as Odysseus. Odysseus is a Greek prince born of Ithaca who had to go through treacherous nightmares just to return to his kingdom, beloved son, Telemachus, and wife, Penelope. In Odysseus: King of Ithaca, he is a man like no other who has the power to string and use a bow of the gods. Though, no one could recall where his mighty power was when he sacrificed six of his men to Scylla, so that he and the others could survive. Therefore, considering these aspects, Odysseus can be described as a very strong man with supernatural powers and cunningness; however, he is also a selfish liar who has only benefited from the suffering of others.

Secondly, Sundiata doesn’t let his pride rule over his life or affect his sense of judgment like Beowulf. In Beowulf, Beowulf is a hero who eventually died after serving as King of the Geats for fifty years and obtaining fame and glory. He also defeated Grendel and his mother, two terrifying monsters, with his alluring supernatural abilities. Beowulf used his strength to put Grendel in a headlock without armor or weapons, scaring him away, and his endurance to swim a day down to the bottom of the lake to fight Grendel’s mother. Following these achievements, as king, he fights a ferocious dragon at an old age, refusing to let a younger hero go in his place or utilize his army in battle which ultimately leads to his unfortunate demise. Thus, Beowulf is a powerful, yet tragic hero who died of pride.

Thirdly, Sundiata is a kind person who works extremely hard. He is the hero from Sundiata: Lion King of Mali. Sundiata was a frail and ugly child from birth who was born of the “Buffalo Woman,” Sogolon, and the “Beautiful King,” Maghan Kon Falta. His supernatural abilities are shown through his many works of power and his weather-changing birth. When his father dies, his stepmother, Sassouma, and her son exiled him and his family. He eventually returns to his homeland to defeat Soumaoro, leaving his deceased mother in Mema, who’d scared Sassouma and her son away, taking over as the rightful king. He had won many battles before earning this title. As king, he is feared, but also beloved for his compassion, like when he gave the three witches those vegetables out of the kindness of his heart, and strength after destroying Soumaoro’s city of Sosso and chasing down Soumaoro to the point of no return. In other words, Sundiata is an impartial hero who is smart, courageous, and has persevered even with all odds against him.

After analyzing each heroes’ journeys, it is obvious that Sundiata is the most epic out of Odysseus and Beowulf. Although they each have a supernatural ability or abilities, Sundiata is the only one who hasn’t overly exerted his for his gain. As previously stated, he shows compassion and kindness towards others and doesn’t use his powers unnecessarily. Beowulf and Odysseus, on the other hand, are different stories. Beowulf died for nothing just because he wanted to be praised. He knew he was old and was going to die if he fought that dragon, but he went on and did it anyway. Then, Odysseus sacrificed his men so he could survive; he could’ve at least told them the truth. He also helped on the raid against the Trojans in Troy where he killed innocent people like kids and mothers, as well as all of the suitors who came after his wife which are both unnecessary.

In short, Sundiata is the most epic of these three heroes for his long-standing, kind personality. He was the only one who kept his composure throughout his whole story. He is truly one who can be dubbed as a favorite character and epic hero. He is the only one who could uphold to this: “Heroes are not known by the loftiness of their carriage; the greatest braggarts are generally the merest cowards,” quoted by Jean Jacques Rousseau.

Cheyenne George

Mrs. Klein

9th Grade Literature

Due April 3, 2020

Link to Assignment

Purple Hibiscus Test: Rewrite This Scene

If you like the ending of the novel (Mama poisoned Papa and Jaja took the blame), rewrite chapter 16 (scroll below to read) from the perspective of Mama, Jaja, or a new character - the police detective who comes to the house to arrest Jaja for the murder.

I knocked on the door with my fellow policemen, Joe and Smith, on either of my sides. “Hello, Ma’am, kids, good evening. We have some questions we’d like to ask you if you don't mind,” I said, as a middle-aged woman followed by two kids was unmasked through the open door.

“Yes, yes, of course, sir. Please come in. My name is Beatrice Achike and these are my children, Kambili and Jaja,” the woman gestured to us inside and led us towards a set of chairs I guessed were in their living room.

We politely took our seats when Joe started, “Ma’am, I would imagine you have already heard, but your husband, um…,” beginning to jumble through a stack of papers.

“Eugene Achike…,” I shot Joe a glare that I bet could scare the devil himself, unable to comprehend how he could forget the victim’s name at a time like this in front of his whole family. Who knows how much they’re really hurting inside and he probably just made it worse. I glanced at Smith as he shook his head in agreement.

“Yes, well...uhem, as I was saying, Eug-Ege-Eug-what was it again?” Joe smiled sheepishly at me for guidance.

“As my companion was saying, Ma'am, your husband, Eugene Achike, has unfortunately died. We are unaware of the cause, but we will get to the bottom of it. Believe me. We were contacted by the head nurse, Mrs. Louise, at St. Agnes, and we bought a copy of the autopsy report with us,” I finished.

“So we have a few questions we’d like to ask the family. For example, here’s your first question: do you know anyone who held an unusually strong grudge towards Mr. Achike?” Smith added.

The room is silent as a cemetery and the atmosphere turns unbearably tense for some reason.

Joe clears his throat, “ Uhem! Any takers! My buddy here asked a question. You people are so quiet; you must be hiding--”

“Papa’s death isn’t by some unknown cause. It’s quite simple: I killed him by putting rat’s poison in his tea. He had it coming, I had to protect Mama and Kambili. We’ve suffered enough. It was time for him to leave us for good,” Jaja declared in the calmest way imaginable, standing up.

My jaw almost dropped in complete shock. I couldn’t believe it. This kid who was what...like seventeen killed his own father. I mean he was probably right about how he died, but just NO! No kid could do that, no amount of hatred could ever fuel a child to do such a thing...I looked up at this Jaja boy, examining him. He sure looked like he had some pent-up rage for Mr. Achike, but he didn’t look like a killer. I then decided to switch my gaze to the little girl, Kambili, but she looked awfully troubled by this whole thing so I suspected that she was also innocent. Finally, I set my eyes on who I truly believed to be the culprit: Mrs. Achike. She was his freaking wife so he would probably suspect her the least. She probably acted all sweet and kind, but then her murderous instinct took over and she did something as heinous as this. After all, look at her now, she practically confessed with her body positioning. Then she either forced Jaja to take the blame or he did it of his own accord to protect her--

“I said that I killed Papa. Shouldn’t you guys like--” Jaja interrupted my thoughts.

“Yes, we heard you, sir, but I have to ask. Are you sure this is your final comment on the matter? Think about it clearly?” Smith asked with a stern look, probably thinking the same thing as me.

“Of course, I wouldn’t ever lie,” Jaja smirked with his head to the sky as if he were trying to show off to someone from the land above.

“Okay, well, that’s a wrap. You confessed, and now we arrest you, take you to the precinct, and then go out for donuts,” Joe concluded.

“Can I change my shirt first though, sirs?” Jaja asked.

“Sure. Go ahead, son,” I said.

After Jaja had changed, we said our farewells, but before we left, I swore I heard Jaja tell Kambili to “protect Mama.” I also saw Mrs. Achike extended her hand, reaching for her son.

“He’ll be fine, Mama. We’ll be fine. I’ll make sure, so please don’t worry, Mama,” Kambili tried to comfort her mother with teary eyes.

And with that, we left the Achike household, Jaja in cuffs being escorted into my police car. Smith and Joe drive in a separate car.

“See you at the precinct, man,” Joe high fived me before he went to his own vehicle.

“You did all that you could do. It’ll be alright. Don’t worry,” Smith comforted me with a pat on the back.

I tried to smile, but I just knew something was up. I got into the driver’s seat with a heavy sigh.

Fifteen minutes later, we were at the station. Jaja was soon brought to the interrogation room for further questioning. I wasn’t able to go into the room, so I just waited until finally the door opened. The interrogator happened to be my friend, Stephanie, so I whispered to her, “What did the boy say?”

“You know I shouldn’t be sharing this, but since you're my friend...he just confirmed what you previously stated. I mean I don't personally think he killed his own father, but what do I know. I just hope his family is alright. They’re probably crushed right now, don’t you think?” Stephanie shared. She took a look up at me and smiled, “Go get some rest, Dan. You look like crap.”

I decided to take her advice. I mean there was nothing I could do as I thought about the clearly guilty Mrs. Achike, the innocent Jaja, and the heartbroken Kambili. Especially her who had both her brother and father taken from her in such cruel ways. I sighed, heading towards HR to sign out for the day.