In the novel, Beowulf, the main character is the epitome of an epic hero. He has great strength, he is morally sound, and, for the most part, he thinks of others before he thinks of himself. Beowulf comes to the Geats’ aid when an evil monster named Grendel terrorizes their mead hall. He courageously defeats the monster and defeats the monster’s vengeful mother. Through these battles, Beowulf’s strength, humbleness and courageousness is revealed.
The authors portray them in two different manners, Macbeth as the main character and Kurtz as a sort of demi-god that is only learned about by word of mouth rather than first hand events. Through studying both of these characters, we can learn who is the greater of the two evils. Macbeth started out in Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis, fighting in battle for his homeland, Scotland. At the very beginning of the play, the reader gets a very positively lit view of Macbeth. He has become victorious in battle and is going to be rewarded with a promotion by King Duncan.
Receiving praise from a king is of such honour and prestige that few are worthy, and yet Macbeth is one of the select few who have the honour. It is learnt that Macbeth single-handedly defeated the invading enemy; Macbeth ‘confronted him with self-comparisons, point against point...the victory fell on us!’ as described by Ross, a fellow soldier. This shows that Macbeth is a man of great courage, passion and that he has the audacity to face the enemy without fear, armed only with a sword and his love for his king and country. So it is that before Macbeth appears on stage, the audience anticipates a man of exceptional stature, a soldier of heroic proportion. His words, ‘so foul a fair a day I have not seen’ announce his presence and entrance with powerful simplicity.
Duncan tries to praise the people around him and honor them for the good that they instill. The two characters are symbols of lightness and darkness. Scotland is like Heaven (lightness), when Duncan is ruling and Hell (darkness), when Macbeth is trying to be the ruler. As the play opens Duncan, the former king of Scotland, is being told of the good men that conquered a battle, Macbeth and Banquo. Duncan is dismayed by their deed.
A warrior’s courage and respect is what gives him power with others and in himself during current and pass times. Beowulf is always courageous, “Whether he is fighting sea monsters, Grendel’s mother or humble fire breathing dragons, Beowulf shows that the courage and strength should be an inspiration to all heroes” (Garcia). This quote illustrates the seriously dangerous task and battles Beowulf had to face and how all these achievements may be an inspiration to all warriors of his time and fore after to follow in his footsteps. Therefore, one can conclude that if anyone may follow in the footsteps of Beowulf they may also too be considered a courageous hero. Warriors had to be willing to anything to show their courage, to prove themselves to be able to be seen as a true Anglo-Saxon hero.
He also compliments the captain who reports the good news. In Scene Two, lines 43-44, he claims that “So well thy words become thee as thy wounds/The smack of honor both. Go get him surgeons.” Not only does his ability to fight in the battle make him honorable, his description of the battle also makes him noble. Duncan also shows that he is kind-hearted and demands the captain’s wounds to be attended to. As much of a good guy as he seems to be, he also seems that he is foolish in the sense that he puts too much trust into people.
Achilles vs. Agamemnon In the epic poem, The Iliad, Homer describes the social collision of Achilles and Agamemnon who fight over pride and anger. While both men are prominent figures in the poem only one man is justified in his actions. Achilles has the vindicated point of view because he is the greater warrior. He thrived in every area for success and succeeded his great reputation every chance. He fought nobly in all battles and believed in tradition when called upon.
Beowulf was strong, intelligent, humble, and kind and in the eyes of society this was their view of being good. He showed compassion and he was very understanding which is the characteristics of someone that is good. These are the values that Beowulf portrayed throughout this story. Beowulf understood his place in the world as he was dedicated to illustrating his heroic strength and loyalty to all people. He was considered a “larger than life” hero and the writer of the story did a great job portraying the good characteristics of Beowulf and how he was able to conquer all.
Through Beowulf's chivalry, generosity, friendship, and popularity, all of his kingdom and of others knew him for his heroism and loyalty. Through the epic, he becomes the perfect thane, and is represented and
The captain recalls Macbeth killing the apostate, Macdonald: ‘till he unseam’d him from the nave to th’chaps and fix’d his head upon our battlements’- Captain, (1.2.22-23). In this opening description of Macbeth we are told of his strength, physicality and courage on the battlefield. King Duncan is impressed by Macbeth’s dauntless actions and tells the Thane, Ross, to approach Macbeth and greet him with the newly merited title ‘Thane of Cawdor’, in reward for his duties. In Act 1, Scene 2, we are given the impression that he is renowned as a valiant fighter yet, also a loyal nobleman of the Scottish monarchy. Act 1, Scene 3 takes place upon the thundering heath, the residence of the ‘weird sisters’, the witches.