Essay Database

Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon folk epic written by an unknown author. It was written in the eighth century. Antigone is an Ancient Greek tragedy written by the playwright Sophocles around 430 BC. Although the two works were written during two different time periods, in two different places, and are different kinds of literature, they contain many similarities in the manner in which they depict an epic hero and a tragic hero. Beowulf tells the story of …

…pray; Let me not look upon another day!” (Sophocles, 91) These two characters were written for two entirely different purposes. Beowulf was written to be recited by professional poets or “scops”. The scops would entertain the warriors and more importantly, inspire them the night before of battle. Creon was written to educate the Greek people. Through him and other tragic heroes, the Greeks learned several moral lessons and were reminded of the power of the gods.