Traci Wallace
Literature 201
Beowulf- Character Analysis For this analysis I chose to contrast Beowulf with The Odyssey’s, Odysseus. Both of the protagonists in these stories have very similar traits and cultural ideals, while maintaining subtle differences. They are both strong and intelligent. They are both boastful, but never without just reason. They are both an ideal representation of the attributes that were praised by their individual societies. However, there are many notable differences in their modus operandi. One of the most notable being their libidos, or absence of. Odysseus was a great leader whose shrewd intellect enabled the Greeks to defeat the Trojans in the war. Beowulf was known to be a great warrior and acute thinker to his fellow Geats and proved to be just as shrewd in assisting the Danes. At the very beginning of the story of Beowulf we are immediately introduced to a shared ideal amongst the Germanic and Greek culture; the importance of family lineage. Much like it is vital for the author to explain the back story of Hrothgar’s lineage and often times refer to Beowulf as “son of Ecgtheow”, it is also vital for Odysseus to give his father’s name when confessing himself to Polyphemus and the loyalty Telemachus shows to his father. One area of difference between the two would be whether are not they exhibit values of “fair-fighting”. While they were both very witty and intelligent, their tactics for using it differed slightly. Beowulf was a much more in your face, meet on your level type of fighter while Odysseus used his brilliance to sneak past one’s guard and catch his victims unsuspecting and often times unarmed. This resulted in a complete slaughter effect, contrary to the pointed and individual attacks of Beowulf. Although it is arguable that Odysseus used brain over brawn more frequently than Beowulf, he also participated in a lot more unnecessary behaviors resulting in more pain and suffering for himself and everyone dear to him. Another trait shared by these two, as well as most any hero or warrior archetype you will come across, is courage. Beowulf sought to help the Danes rid themselves of Grendel and Grendel’s mother unsolicited. He chose to battle the dragon despite being fully aware of the probability he may never return home alive. Odysseus braved and fought through the storms brewed by Poseidon’s wrath. He faced the sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis to get back to Penelope and Telemachus. The difference here lies in their motivations. Beowulf sought glory and gold, while Odysseus was fueled solely by his irrepressible desire to return home. It is also the speed bumps on the way to accomplishing their goals that define more character differences. Beowulf is only hindered by the physical might of his opponent. He sets to complete a task and does just that. When Unferth accuses him of having not completed the swimming race and thus failing at his goal, he politely explains that the only thing that kept him from competing to the end was the minor disturbance of nine ferocious sea-monsters he had to battle for survival. Odysseus is distracted by all different types of indulgent desires. He endangers himself and crew to linger for food and drink in Polyphemus’ cave. He also loses several years to his sexual exploits with different Goddesses, while Beowulf has no hint of sexual interest at all. Another similarity is their lifelong desire for adventure and glory. Even as an old man Beowulf still decides to battle the dragon and protect his people. After spending a short time at home, Odysseus is eager to get back to the sea and seek more daunting tasks and challenges. In my opinion, it is hard to say which protagonist seems more virtuous to me, but Beowulf certainly seems more focused and purposeful, although less exciting to read about. I would be more likely to entrust my life to Beowulf, but would prefer to listen to the stories from Odysseus. They both do great justice to the cultures in which they are idealized and I will treasure both of these stories interminably.