Beowulf and Gilgamesh are Epic Heroes But the Seafarer isn’t and Here’s Why

In the stories Beowulf and The Head of Humbaba, the main characters polish the descriptions of an epic hero. However in the story, The Seafarer, the main character does not reflect any descriptions of an epic hero. Beowulf and Gilgamesh come across the description because they both go on a quest and have the similar motivations of an epic hero. The Seafarer, in contrast, had a distinguishable motivation and an entirely different quest. Beowulf and Gilgamesh have journeys that fit the traditional epic hero.In Beowulfs story, his journey consisted of killing monsters. He killed Grendel who terrorized Herot. Beowulf, a prince of the Geats, had killed Grendelfrom the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monsters arm, claw and shoulder and all. (Beowulf Lines 510-517). Gilgameshs story also included murdering monstrous fiends. He killed Humbaba, the guardian of the forest. he raised his ax up higher and swung it in a perfect arc into Humbabas neck. (The Head of Humbaba Lines 46 -48) Gilgamesh and Beowulf also had similar motivations that fit an epic hero. Beowulf killed Grendel to pay off the debt to Herot because of his father. Gilgamesh provoked and killed Humbaba so hed also be will known. Both reasons fit the descriptions for an epic hero. In contrast, the Seafarer doesnt fit an epic hero because his journey and motivation doesnt mark. The Seafarers journey was to simply travel the sea.His motivation was to make peace with God. Neither of those actions makes the Seafarer and epic hero. Beowulf and Gilgamesh are epic heroes because their journey and motivations fit what an epic hero stands for. They both fought monsters and both their motivation fit an epic hero. The seafarer isnt an epic hero because his journey and motivation doesnt correspond to one. He didnt accomplish much and his motivation didnt fit an epic hero.