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Similarities Between Beowulf And The Gladiator

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Similarities Between Beowulf And The Gladiator
The similarities and differences between how heroism is portrayed in the Gladiator and in the Beowulf, is showcased between the time differences in the texts. Beowulf comes from a line of kings and has the strength of 30 men, In the Gladiator, Maximus is a commander of the Roman army with a family waiting for him at home to return. A hero must possess key qualities, such as, Loyalty, Leadership, Courage, Honour/Decorum in order to be victorious; which both characters have.
Beowulf’s time and his acts of heroism is before the Gladiator’s time therefore making it more difficult to be a hero. Beowulf vowing to kill Grendel or to die trying, is like when Maximus swore that he would kill Commodus for hanging and burning his family or die trying.

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