Compare and Contrast Essay1
Compare and Contrast Essay1
Compare and Contrast Essay1
Dr Sailor
LAN1200
This essay I will make a comparison between Beowulf and Macbeth – two beautiful pieces of
Although, when you read and compare Beowulf vs Macbeth, it becomes clear that the tragedy of
Macbeth, and the epic poem, Beowulf have various similarities. Although, there are more
numerous differences. Comparing and contrasting the styles of these two plays, the similarities
are more interesting for consideration as they are more difficult for identification.
Both have heroes as the protagonist of the story. The stories were written in two different time
periods, still can be seen with some similarities and differences. A tragic hero is of high ranking
and woefully has a flaw that they hold which brings them to their tragic downfall and soon they
The presentation of the two heroes, in consideration of the ethical themes, and the final stages of
both plays. Latter at the end it helps to draw some ethical conclusions based on the peculiarity of
the actions of Macbeth and Beowulf. It is obvious that both heroes in the tragedy and the epic
poem are notable people full of bravery and disposed to act in favor of the society.
Macbeth is a tragic hero who is a leader in the community, possesses some extraordinary
features. Shakespeare describes him, “For brave Macbeth–well he deserves that name–
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Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like
valor’s minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave; Which ne’er shook hands, nor bade
farewell to him, Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chaps, And fixed his head upon our
battlements(Act 1 Scene 2).” Beowulf characteristics is as follows, “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 (Lines 893-902)”. The quotes from the texts above we can see that
similarity is undeniable. Being epic and tragic characters, they are taking after the protection and
Beowulf is given a proper and well-respected burial whereas Macbeth is disliked and is not given
the proper burial. Macbeth's ambitiousness drives him to be an self-assured character and
Beowulf is a great warrior that everyone admired him and was full of pride and courage. On the
other side, Macbeth and Beowulf are set off differently through the traits they display. Macbeth
is more guided towards being an ambitious character which is his tragic flaw and Beowulf's trait
is full of courage.
In contrast Macbeth and Beowulf, both of them became king through different methods. They
became of higher power through self-assurance and confidence. Macbeth uses outside help, the
witch sisters, and count on his own ways of becoming the king. Macbeth used his strengths as a
strategy to play everyone and conduct him to be self-assured. In the other hand Beowulf from
beginning to end is always self-assured. He becomes king because he is a good warrior, fearless,
and proud. Beowulf was always the stronger of the two because his confidence was within him,
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while Macbeth gets his confidence after he kills the king and tried to get away with it but at the
Although, having considered the examples between Beowulf and Macbeth, the latter by William
Shakespeare, and the former Anglo-Saxon poem, we can conclude that there are various
similarities between these two plays. The attributes of the main characters, their objective as the
leaders of the society, the ethical and moral lessons, and the end scenes which are the most
important in the understanding the main idea of these plays are the things that make Beowulf and
Macbeth similar. Epic poems and tragedy are different genres that aims in achieving several
goals using particular methods; although, the plays under consideration help to surmise that the