Similarities Between Beowulf And Hamlet

Societies construct heroes that represent and embody the ideals of those who create them and read about them. Their is a stark contrast between the hero in the time of Beowulf and Hamlet’s creation and heroes created in modern times. Current literature, movies, and television portray a different kind of hero from those created in 1000 AD to 1600 AD. A hero is defined as someone who is "admired for achievements and noble qualities"," shows great courage", and in historical texts such as Beowulf and Hamlet is a "legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability" or an "illustrious warrior" (Merriam-Webster). Despite the popular belief that the time for heroes has passed away, based on the needs of society, today's heroes still exist and have evolved into something new. Heroes in historical literature such as Beowulf, written in 1000 AD, and Hamlet, written in 1599 AD, portray varied types of heroes. Beowulf is an epic hero and therefore portrays the qualities commonly associated and recognized as those of an epic character. Beowulf is significant and glorified, goes on a quest, and has superior superhuman strength, intelligence, and courage. He also portrays ethical behaviour, risks death for the glory

In the time of which Hamlet was created, the means of producing most plays and distributing the story was all done in the United Kingdom, and most famously the Globe Theatre in London. The audience to which the story pertained to was limited. Methods of redistribution of content was limited and therefore the story was written so English viewers and readers could identify with Hamlet and other characters. This can be easily seen by the language Hamlet was written in. For example the phrase, “that flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep; To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the