Beowulf Vs. Macbeth

Literature is full of different genres and specific styles which help create varied works. The pieces of literature are imaginative and absolutely different writings which may be united under the genres and styles. However, even when the genres differ, it is possible to come across some specific similarities. Reading Beowulf, an Anglo Saxon poem, and Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the first impression is that these two pieces of literature are not alike. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Beowulf Vs. Macbeth specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, a close reading of these two pieces also makes sure that a tragedy, the genre of Macbeth, and the epic poem, Beowulf’s genre, have a number of similarities, however the differences are more numerous. Comparing and contrasting the genres of these two plays the similarities are more interesting for consideration as they are more difficult for identification. It i s important to point to the similarities in Beowulf and Macbeth, they are as follows, the presentation of the heroes, the consideration of the ethical themes and the final stage of the plays which helps to draw some ethical conclusions based on the peculiarity of the actions of the heroes. It is not a secret that the presentation of the heroes differs from genre to genre, however, reading both these pieces of literature, it becomes obvious that both heroes in the epic poem and in the tragedy are notable people full of brave intentions and desire to act in favor of the society. Macbeth is a tragic hero who is a leader in the society, possesses some particular extraordinary features. Here is how the author describes him, For brave Macbeth–well he deserves that name– Disdaining fortune, with his brandish’d steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like valour’s minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave; Which ne’er shook hands, nor bade f arewell to him, Till he unseam’d him from the nave to the chaps, And fix’d his head upon our battlements (Shakespeare 8). The characteristics of Beowulf is as follows, â€Å"the hero had acted with flawless courage†¦ he was the most famous of exiles, a protector of warriors, acknowledged among men for his valorous deeds, his remarkable strength – after Heremod’s struggles came to an end, the eclipsed that hero (Beowulf 26)†. Considering these two quotes from the texts, the similarity is obvious. Being tragic and epic heroes, they are similar in being the protectors and hopes for their societies. Advertising Looking for essay on comparative literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The author presented their main characters in different genres as similar as no other genres could perform. Therefore, it should be concluded that tragic and epic genres are similar in presenting the main ch aracters, the heroes of their times. These two pieces of writing, tragic and epic, help consider the ethical and moral side of the discussion. Macbeth makes a severe mistake. His pride and self-assured behavior does not give him an opportunity to see all the warning and at the end the hero dies being combated and destroyed. The death of the main character is the characteristic feature of the tragedy as the genre. Macbeth stands on the path of violence â€Å"seeing himself at a point of no return† (Beardwood and Macdonell 7). Shakespeare presents this part in the text as follows, â€Å"Returning were as tedious as go o’er’† (Shakespeare 89). Beowulf is also concerned with the human values and moral choices. The epic heroes â€Å"are capable of performing acts of great courage; they are also capable of suffering intensely for their deeds† (Warsh and Spring 22). Thus, the ethical concern of the heroes is one more similarity in two pieces of writing . However, the close consideration of the moral actions of each of the heroes helps conclude that pride was the failure in Macbeth, while Beowulf managed to conserve the positive attitude of the society by means of his actions. Straggling with dragons and other dangerous creatures, Beowulf showed himself as a person of great courage and fearless performance who is able to cope with difficulties. Of course, the tragedy and the epic poem contain more themes which are presented in the plays, more problems which are solved and more conclusions which allow the audience to create personal opinion about the main character as the heroes who were presented as the leaders of the society. The final scenes are very important in understanding the main purpose of the discussion. Considering Beowulf as the character who kills monsters for the benefit of the mankind, the authors wants the audience to look at him as not as on the fighter, but as on â€Å"a large scale of the human history† ( Warsh and Spring 23), even though the epic poems do not have the aim to present the history in the chronological order. Several specific situations are considered and a reader can draw a conclusion about the whole mankind. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Beowulf Vs. Macbeth specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Macbeth has different conclusions where his mistakes are reveled. The death of the main character is the main characteristic feature of the play that offers audience food for thoughts what could be in case Macbeth performed in another way. The human actions are offered as the basis for analysis and the reader should clearly get the main idea of the last speeches. She should have died hereafter. There would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time. And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to d usty death. Out, out, brief candle. Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing (Shakespeare 146). These lines are full of pain to Lady Macbeth, however, even her death does not make Macbeth look at life from another angle. He understands what the warning says only when it is too late. Therefore, it may be concluded that tragedy and epic poetry are two different genres, however, having considered the examples of Beowulf, an Anglo Saxon poem, and Macbeth by William Shakespeare it may be concluded that there are several similarities between these two plays. The features of the main characters, their goals as the leaders of the society, the moral and ethical lessons and the final scenes which are the most important in understanding the main idea of the plays are the similarities which are the central here. Tragedy and epic poem are a bsolutely different genres aimed at achieving various goals by means of particular methods, however, the plays under consideration help to conclude that the similarities are also possible even within various genres. Works Cited Beardwood, Robert and Kate Macdonell. Macbeth. New York: Insight Publications, 2011. Print. Beowulf. New York: Wordsworth Editions, 2007. Print.Advertising Looking for essay on comparative literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. New York: Filiquarian Publishing, LLC., 2007. Print. Warsh, Lewis and Michael Spring. Beowulf. New York: Barron’s Educational Series, 1984. Print. This essay on Beowulf Vs. Macbeth was written and submitted by user Sylas Hyde to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.