Beowulf And Hamlet Character Analysis - 1228 Words

When lining the characters Beowulf and Hamlet side by side many will not see the parallels of these characters instead, only the differences. At a first glance, we see Beowulf, the strong warrior who died whilst defeating three gruesome monsters, then Hamlet, the awkward and fearful prince who died trying to fulfill a foolish act of hatred. Ultimately, we view them as hero and anti-hero. However, we must not judge each character on who they are at the surface. Instead, we must see and understand, for ourselves, who this character is by analyzing their motives and actions. Often our initial thoughts on individuals turn out to be wrong. Hamlet is not as evil as he is made out to be, and Beowulf is not as selfless as one may believe. Rather,†¦show more content†¦O God, God!†(Hamlet 1.2.129-132), but still came to understand that he must deal with life head on. As a response to dealing with life head on, he avenges his father’s death by murdering his uncle Claudius. Although his act of heroism is brought upon us in a darker, brooding setting it is nevertheless an act of heroism. He rids Denmark from the rule of a devious king. Both men embark on their journeys for different, yet selfish, reasons and their ultimate goal is nevertheless the same. They share the objective to make Denmark a place free of the cruel monsters who reign the land with devious plans. It is their like minded intentions that make them similar. As both Beowulf and Hamlet undertake their roles as heroes to Denmark one may fail to see how courageous both characters truly are. We begin with Beowulf, a young man leaving his homeland of the Geats to travel to the new foreign land of the Danes. He is risking his life to simply travel to a land known to be haunted by a monster, and not knowing the natives could prove to be problematic as well. Although the apparent risks of his journey, he still decides to push on and do as he first wishes, defeat the monster no one else could. T hen we have Hamlet, a man who has just lost his king and father. Hamlet takes fateShow MoreRelatedBeowulf And Hamlet Character Analysis1224 Words   |  5 PagesWhen lining the characters Beowulf and Hamlet side by side many will not see the parallels of these characters instead, only the differences. At a first glance, we see Beowulf, the powerful warrior who died whilst defeating three gruesome monsters, then Hamlet, the problematic and fearful prince who died trying to fulfill a foolish act of hatred. Ultimately, we view them as hero Read MoreHeroism as the Main Theme of Beowulf Essay2557 Words   |  11 PagesHeroism as the Main Theme of Beowulf The main theme of Beowulf is heroism. This involves far more than physical courage. It also means that the warrior must fulfil his obligations to the group of which he is a key member. There is a clear-cut network of social duties depicted in the poem. The king has an obligation to behave with generosity. He must reward his thanes with valuable gifts for their defense of the tribe and their success in battle. This is why King HrothgarRead MoreHeroism Main Theme in Beowulf3076 Words   |  13 PagesThe main theme of Beowulf is heroism. This involves far more than physical courage. It also means that the warrior must fulfill his obligations to the group of which he is a key member. There is a clear-cut network of social duties depicted in the poem. The king has an obligation to behave with generosity. He must reward his thanes with valuable gifts for their defense of the tribe and their success in battle. This is why King Hrothgar is known as the â€Å"ring-giver.† He behaves according toRead MoreThe History And Culture Of English Literature1979 Words   |  8 Pagesevident in the literary writings during their respective timeframes. As an example, it is during the Old English Period (Anglo – Saxon) where the English language is born. 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Oedipus Rex is a tragic tale set in Ancient Greece. Greek thinker, Aristotle, said there were certain elements that would make a person qualified as a â€Å"tragic hero.† (Adade-Ywboah, Ahenkora Amankwah, 2012). We think of heroes being larger than life, possessing impeccable honor, integrity, strong leadership andRead MoreMedia Magic Making Class Invisible2198 Words   |  9 Pagesand upper classes as well. Add Project New English essays Much Ado About Gender Roles (15 August) Report regarding a proposed amendment of certain sections of th (13 August) Community Influence In Literature (18 July) Ode To A Urn Detailed Analysis (17 June) Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge (14 June) Newburgh (14 June) Countee Cullen: A Reniassance Man (14 June) Death In The Hours (14 June) Antigone (14 June) The Art Of Persuasion (14 June) Compare And Contrast (13 June) SonnysRead MoreSymbolism in English Literature2444 Words   |  10 Pagespersonal concerns and solutions of the evolving medieval society of his time. Characters with strong archetypal features has an automatically and unconsciously effect in the reader’s mind, allowing his mind to recognize experiences, emotions, and typical patterns of behavior, establishing a â€Å"dialog† or â€Å"unconscious link† between the reader and the text. The purpose of the present essay will be to identify such archetypal characters and situations and their impact in the reader’s psyche.[4] It is possible