Beowulf and Alexander: the Two Greats

     Beowul, one of the most reputable and well-known works dating from the Anglo-Saxon period, is the story of an archetypal hero who thinks not of himself and aspires for legacy. Although it was written over ten centuries ago, it can still be related to many things, preceding and following its writing, that we study in history today. One such figure is another very well-known King by the name of Alexander the Great. Through examining both the epic of Beowulf and the life history of Alexander, there are numerous similarities and intersections between their desires, motives, characters, and faults. This comparison is most evident in their reputations.
     The story of Beowulf makes it clear from the beginning that any warrior who wants his name to be threaded in history, who wants to leave a legacy, must establish his reputation. The idea of reputation was one generally accepted by all, as conveyed in the first 200 lines by a coast-guard speaking to Beowulf, "Anyone with gumption and a sharp mind will take the measure of two things: what's said and what's done" (287-289, Beowulf). This quote gives some context to the significance matched with reputation, as it is not handed out freely, but rather must be truly earned. As exemplified in the famous quote by Alexander the Great, "How great are the dangers I face to win a good name in Athens," it is clear by this and by the entirety and severity of his life ambition that reputation and legacy was of utmost importance to Alexander. Both men being warriors of their people, Beowulf and Alexander the Great are very similar when it comes to ambition, reputation, and simply having a nature to strive for honor.
     Reputation, however, must also be rooted by some tangible accomplishment, some trophy or token of victory obtained through valor, and both men indeed have the service record to show for it. A man so sought-after as the valiant Beowulf has no hesitation in flaunting himself, and once inquired the the lord of Danes to prove his heroism, he responds with, "every elder and experienced councilman among my people supported my resolve to come here to you, [...] because all know of my awesome strength. They had seen me boltered in the blood of enemies when I battled and bound five beasts, raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea slaughtered sea-brutes. I have suffered extremes and avenged the Geats" (415-423). All was completed under the honorable oath of a warrior, and has given Beowulf the experience needed to fend off Grendel, the most nasty of all creatures. Rather than conquering beasts, Alexander conquered kingdoms, roughly seven major ones, all for the expansion of his people and of the Hellenistic civilization. For around twelve years, Alexander was an unstoppable force, and anyone in the way of his plan for expansion was forced to either befriend the enemy or be trampled where they stood. For the better part of his life, Alexander held the reputation close to that of a god, for his actions made him feared by many, and challenged by very few. Beowulf and Alexander are relatable in a sense of accomplishment, and although guided by different motives, one being the protection of his people, the other endless expansion, both are considered very prestigious warriors.