The Relationship Between Good and Evil in Beowulf free essay sample

Who Is The Hero? Throughout Beowulf I have been intrigued by the theme of good and evil and their relationship. Primarily how there are a number of different ways to think of the relationship between the two. I think that in Beowulf there are many interesting ways that evil and good are portrayed. For the most part Beowulf represents good/ heroes and then there are three main representations of evil that Beowulf faces. One thing I realized about the relationship between the two is that you could not have one without the other. For example, the reason that Beowulf becomes so well known and famous is because he defeats an evil demon (Grendel). A hero is someone who possesses a vast amount of courage and someone who is known for overcoming a certain obstacle(s). An evil figure is often the obstacle that the hero must over come; it is someone or something that is often thought of as immortal and feared by the public. We will write a custom essay sample on The Relationship Between Good and Evil in Beowulf or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Without Grendel or any short of evil figure, Beowulf would not have made a name for himself. When it comes down to it; evil is what makes someone a hero. In this story, the idea of evil is presented through the three monsters and the action of killing, the idea of good is represented threw Beowulf and comitatus. Universally, pretty much all folk tales, stories, and epics that involve good and evil are about the two battling it out. It is a way of enhancing the story, no one wants to hear a story about a hero achieving a goal easily, the idea of a challenge and struggle is what really interests people. In Beowulf it is more that Beowulf is defending the people from the evil. It is not a pleasant scene when Grendel comes storming into the mead hall; he starts attacking everyone and everything, killing many in the process. Beowulf makes a boast that he will defeat Grendel in battle, but it also seems he just defends the peace of the community at hand, â€Å"So times were pleasant for the people there until finally one, a fiend out of hell, began to work his evil in the world. Grendel was the name of this grim demon. † (99-103) An interesting question to ask is how do you know who is the hero and who is the evil figure? In real life there is no one side to anything. Some people may consider a person a hero and some people may consider that same person the evil figure. It is all about putting it in too perspective, and who the â€Å"hero† is benefitting. For example, Beowulf is a hero to the Danes because he defeats Grendel and that bennifits them because it means they are safe for the mean time and will not be disturbed by Grendel again. Later though in the epic, Grendel’s mother battles Beowulf, and for what reason? She was avenging her son. Avenger a lost love one, seems like something a hero might do. So you cannot say that Grendels mother’s reasoning was very unreasonable, because in the end she was just honoring her son, in that sense Beowulf could even be considered the evil figure, its just all about perspective. Really though Beowulf it would be hard to imagine Grendel, Grendel’s mother, or the dragon as anything else except evil and monstrous, but too some in the story these characters may not be considered evil, so too sum it up, at first it may seem very straight forward too who the â€Å"good guy† is and who the â€Å"bad guy† is, but in the end the line between good and evil can often get blurred. Without a hero you could not have evil, with out evil you could not have a hero. Although we look at good and evil as opposites they need each other to define one another. A hero needs to conquer some sort of evil to earn the title of a true â€Å"hero† and Beowulf is a perfect example. Once he defeats Grendel the Danes adore him, he achieves a task that appeared near impossible. When he does end up finally defeating Grendel he earns the title of a true hero. Beowulf and Grendel are similar in the sense that they share a very similar level of physical strength and this is true with all the monsters Beowulf faces. All of the monsters are very evil and immortal, with Beowulf, since he has such grand power he is also thought to be a little bit immortal in some senses, â€Å"The monster wrenched and wrestled with him but Beowulf was mindful of his mighty strength, the wondrous gifts God had showered on him: He relied for help on the Lord of All, on His care and favour. So he overcame the foe, brought down the hell-brute. † (1269-1274) So another characteristic that Beowulf and these monsters share are that they are all not normal human beings, they all share some sort of paranormal power and strength, which could either be very good or very bad depending on how one utilizes them. I find the idea that Beowulf and the monsters have similar traits and characteristics very interesting, because their power is what makes them similar but what separates them is how and what they actually use that power for. Like Uncle Ben once said in Spiderman â€Å"With great power, comes great responsibility. † When it comes down too it, it is about who has more moral strength, between the hero and the evil figure who is going to use their power for â€Å"the right thing†. Beowulf lives a life of greatness and glory, he gets known as a hero and he dies a hero. When he fights the dragon, it seems that that is the way he would want to die, defending the community. Too be a hero you must take risks, risks that may be considered by the average person too dangerous to even consider taking. Although, these risks are not always about fighting a monster. Heroes do not always come in such an obvious form; some one does not have to have godly strength or any kind of super power to be a hero, most heroes are the every day people. A hero does not have too kill a demon beast or save millions, a hero is just someone who is willing to make a difference, no matter how big or how small.

Hamlet vs. Beowulf Essay Essays

Hamlet vs. Beowulf Essay Essays Hamlet vs. Beowulf Essay Essay Hamlet vs. Beowulf Essay Essay How make the supporters from Beowulf and Hamlet compare? Though both play a major function in an heroic narrative. they portion a few common point of views. The result of both narratives is greatly influenced by the chief character’s battles in life. The state of affairss that occur throughout these narratives besides impact the narrations. In add-on. the assorted characters in each work influence the protagonists’ picks and lives. Each is involved in subjects which can easy associate to those of modern twenty-four hours society. although Beowulf and Hamlet live in wholly different times. Beowulf is the ideal warrior ; he is a strong. fearless combatant and a antic leader who goes to immutable extremes to protect his people. When his state is threatened by what is thought to be an undefeatable animal named Grendel. Beowulf does the impossible and slays the monster. Hamlet. on the other manus. is non a leader like Beowulf whatsoever. Hamlet is non even a male monarch or recognized as a leader. Hamlet’s male parent was murdered. and afterwards he merely wants to travel back to school to larn. It is non until much idea and readying that he makes it his mission to hold his father’s retaliation. If Beowulf was placed in the same state of affairs. he would hold immediately killed the adult male responsible for the slaying. : From the beginning of this heroic poem verse form. Beowulf is non loved as a kid and is told he will neer be a leader. therefore giving him the motive to go one of the greatest warriors of all time. His lone fright is failure. in conflict and as a leader. He takes on such a big function as a warrior that his fellow countrymen do non see the demand to of all time fix to contend because Beowulf is all the warrior they need. This ultimately consequences in much hurting and battle when Beowulf finds himself in demand of aid. Hamlet is every bit much of an introvert as Beowulf is an extravert. Hamlet prefers to analyze alternatively of battle and learn over conflict. Hamlet’s parents love him. but his female parent is a shallow adult female who marries his uncle entirely to stay in a topographic point of power. Horatio and Hamlet keep an uneven relationship- Horatio is Hamlet’s retainer. yet he is a close friend of Hamlet’s. There are many major events in both of these narrations. but one in each stands out. In Beowulf. at the beginning of the novel he is crowned king and viewed as the leader of all. This is a major event because it puts Beowulf in a place of undivided power which seems to finally travel to his caput. Though he is an unbelievable leader. he believes that he does non and neer will necessitate any aid. which ends up being fatal. In his concluding minutes. Beowulf exclaims â€Å"To the everlasting Lord of All. to the King of Glory. I give thanks that I behold this hoarded wealth here in forepart of me. that I have been allowed to go forth my people so good endowed on the twenty-four hours I die† ( Beowulf. page 189 ) . A major turning point in Hamlet is the scene where Hamlet speaks with his father’s shade. Up until this point in the drama. Hamlet seems at easiness with his father’s decease. but after he converses with the shade he becomes ridden with retaliation. This flood tide turns the full context of the drama from Hamlet wishing to go to school to Hamlet seeking retaliation on his uncle which. likewise to Beowulf. leads to his decease. Beowulf’s character is instead luxuriant. At the beginning of the book. it is said â€Å"a boy-child was born to Shield. a greenhorn in the pace. a comfort sent by God to the nation† ( Beowulf. page 3 ) . From the beginning. Beowulf is made out to be an undefeatable hero who will halt at nil to protect his people from danger. It is easy to associate to Beowulf in the sense that he will ever lift to people’s outlooks and go on to transcend them. as supported by the text â€Å"then Halfdane’s boy presented Beowulf with a gilded criterion as a triumph gift†¦with customary grace bestowed upon Beowulf both sets of gifts† ( Beowulf. page 69 ) . But it finally comes to a point where he merely can non run into the outlooks and is left dumfounded. As Grendel’s female parent returns to take her son’s claw. she is frightened as â€Å"The hell-dam was in terror. desperate to acquire out. in mortal panic the minute she was found. she had pounced and taken one of the considerations in a tight clasp. so headed for the fen† ( Beowulf. page 91 ) . Even though the monster is scared and running off. Beowulf. merely out of pride. follows her to her place to conflict. Hamlet has no leading desire at the beginning of the drama. He merely wants to analyze and larn while his pa regulations the state. Then Claudius. his uncle. slayings his pa and after an brush with his father’s shade. Hamlet’s personality alterations ; he becomes obsessed with damages. This makes sense because choler is one of the strongest human emotions. It is an self-evident emotion. referred to as â€Å"one of the seven lifelessly wickednesss. † For Hamlet. this becomes a world as acquiring retaliation finally leads to his ain decease. A really popular quotation mark. â€Å"More than kin. less than kind† ( Hamlet. page 3 ) was originated in Hamlet when he mumbled it to his uncle. who becomes his stepfather. Beowulf and Hamlet. though composed by different writers and written in different signifiers. have battles which parallel many in the universe today. Both of the heroes are affected by emotions. the people around them. and the events that occur throughout each work. Beowulf lives in a really violent society where flagitious force is the norm ; this compares to certain parts of the universe today. such as the Mideast. He besides exemplifies the good in good versus immorality which most of the modern universe still deals with today. Beowulf fought against monsters whereas people today fight against disease and terrorist act. Hamlet’s compulsion with retaliation is non different from many populating today. Although Christians are meant to forgive their neighbours. many find this hard. We are supposed to larn from history. nevertheless. the past seems to reiterate itself more frequently than non. Even though Hamlet and Beowulf live in different epochs. their conflicts with force. good versus immorality. and retaliation still keep true today.