A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EPIC HEROES IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LITERATURE: "BEOWULF" AND "ALPOMISH"

This research paper presents a comparative study of epic heroes in English and Uzbek literature based on the Old English epic Beowulf and the Uzbek folk epic Alpomish. The study analyzes the main heroic characters—Beowulf and Alpomish—in order to identify universal and culture-specific features of epic heroism. It examines their character traits, moral values, social roles, and the cultural contexts in which they are represented. The results of the research show that despite belonging to different cultural and historical traditions, both Beowulf and Alpomish share common heroic qualities such as bravery, loyalty, and self-sacrifice. However, Beowulf represents a more individualistic and tragic form of heroism, while Alpomish reflects a socially oriented and family-centered heroic ideal. This study contributes to comparative literature by highlighting both similarities and differences in epic traditions across cultures.