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How are characters compared to macbeth
Comparison of characters in Macbeth
Comparison of characters in Macbeth
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Monsters Inside Us
When I think about the question which epic character do you think you relate most to, Macbeth or Beowulf? The first thing that goes through my head is whether I am a person who likes to bring people down in order to climb the ladder to my success, or if I will work on getting there by bettering myself and not having to bring people down with me. Macbeth and Beowulf may be similar, they had goals and ambitions. They wanted to reach their goals so desperately, but what separated these gentlemen was the way they would reach their success. Like Beowulf, I had monsters to fight as well; we both used our ambition and bravery to fight these monsters all on our own. We did not need to bring people down to fight these monsters or to prove anything, we fought these monsters to prove a point to only one person, and that was ourselves. Many people did not believe in us but we still fought anyway.
Having just enough ambition is what will drive people to be great and do great. Ambition is what makes us accomplish things without backing down until we get to where we want to be. Beowulf not once ever doubted himself, he did consider that things could happen but he had the upmost confidence that he would
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win every battle. I have never had the confidence that I wish I could, in fact I never believed in myself but that is what caused me to do better and be better I wanted to prove to myself what I was capable of, I wanted to prove that I could fight my demons. “They have seen my strength for themselves; have watched me rise from the darkness of war, dripping with my enemies’ blood…” (Beowulf 48). Many of the Danes did not believe Beowulf was capable of accomplishing this mission, they did not believe in him but he knew that he was capable of such a challenge so he went on to do it. Bravery is another characteristic that connects Beowulf and I. I may not have the confidence that he does but if there is one thing for sure, it is that we are willing to accept and challenge no matter how difficult they may be. In life, I have been thrown many obstacles; many of these obstacles I thought I would never get through but I did because I never gave up no matter how much I wanted to. Beowulf was the same in the epic poem because he knew some of these monsters were difficult, he knew there was a possibility with each and every one of them that he possibly would not defeat them but instead be defeated by them, but he still went on. “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I’ve fought endless battles” (Beowulf 56). Beowulf and I both have faced challenges as youths and even still in today’s day. We both have had tough times but what made us brave and what was important was being able to keep our heads up and not give up. We had the experience and the ambition to fight our demons no matter how tough it would be. My whole life I have felt alone so I learned to be on my own. Every problem and obstacle that came along, I dealt with on my own. The only person I knew could depend on was I. I worked to get to where I knew I needed to be. It was difficult, no part of it was easy at all but I knew what I needed to do for myself so I did it even if I had no support and even if no one believed in me, I tried to believe in myself. Beowulf’s fights got harder each time, there was always a demon out their stronger than the last but it did not fear him or push him away, in fact it made him want to take on the challenge even more. “I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me…No one else could do what I mean to here, no man but me could hope to defeat this monster. No one could try” (Beowulf 57). Only Beowulf dared to take on these challenges and never did he request or expect help, he knew he would be the only one brave enough to face this monster. Just like myself, I knew that the only person who could fight away my monsters was me. Like Beowulf, my ambition and my bravery are what got me to where I am today.
Although Beowulf gets killed, he did it being brave, and he did it working hard to destroy the monster who he accomplished to slay. These characteristics are important to have in order to accomplish things in life. I have only accomplished some of the many things that I wish to in life but I still have along way to go and someday I will be able to say that I made it and that I worked hard to get to where I’ll be. Many people would not picture that they have such a common life to that of character from an epic poem but I know Beowulf and I relate a lot. We both face demons and we fight them to rid them of the pain and suffering they bring, bringing peace and pride into our own
lives.
Beowulf’s fight against the dragon shows Beowulf as a hero. Although Beowulf had previously defeated two other foes, he stands fast and fights his most formidable foe yet, the dragon. Dragons were notoriously difficult to kill, and the poem states that it was a great man, who could kill a dragon, even if it meant losing one's life. While others cower away Beowulf fights the dragon. Beowulf defeats the dragon but loses his life in the same instance. Like the classical hero Beowulf loses his special status in death. Beowulf sought no compensation for his services; the mere satisfaction of helping others was pay enough. Like his two previous battles Beowulf fights for those who could not fight for themselves.
“If the battle takes me, send back this breast-webbing that Weland fashioned and Hrethel gave me, to Lord Hygelac. Fate goes ever as fate must.” Of course we see kings all the time in most novels. Beowulf, the character was supposed to advanced and become one of the strongest men alive. But at the end he fails, we learn that he dies and at last he wasn't really that big. But a doom in a story it's more heart pounding. Especially when a son gets taken away from his father. The call to action. In "Beowulf" the call to action is when the character Beowulf is called in by King Hrothgar. He is brought in to be talked to. Hrothgar's kingdom in the Danes (Denmark) is pounced by the villain/monster of Grendel. Now it is Beowulf's responsibility. The weight on Beowulf's shoulders is to go find Grendel, Grendel's mother and the forever lasting fire breathing dragon. We can relate to the quote above because us readers assume that he will defeat all three and be the best of the best. But Beowulf himself doesn't believe his own lies. He boasts' about him declaring he has the required skills to defeat all three enemies. At
Beowulf fights till his last day living. That helps him achieve the cherry on top for his display of being an epic hero. He dies using all three characteristics of an epic hero: strength, bravery, and faithfulness. Till his dying day, he showed strength in his effort to kill the
In understanding the art form of expression in various ways like music and play writes, it brings together this sense of self identity that the artist wants to fulfill. Having this understanding about the life behind the scene, screen, and/or stage. My paper will present two art forms music by 50 cent “Many Men” and William Shakespeare play “Macbeth” in which I will describe similarities among the characters. My four categories for 50 cent and Macbeth are as follow Greed, Savage, Survivor and Success.
In conclusion, although Beowulf possessed many heroic qualities he would not be considered a hero in today’s world. A hero varies from culture to culture. The Anglo-Saxon appreciated different things in a person that what do not we appreciate today. Many things have changed a lot with time, the requisites for being considered a hero have also changed. Today we do not like to solve problems with war. Pride and honor are not as important as the willingness one has to help others. Beowulf is not feeling that contact with people he doesn’t identify with them because he believes himself better, a part of a hero´s cycle is to be identified with the community. To be part
Beowulf’s life was truly epic struggle. The monsters he battled made it so. Grendel and the dragon, capable of crushing men physically, stood for evils that could just as easily crush men in spirit. These two beasts represented society’s greatest fears, as well as detriments, and Beowulf fearlessly took them on. Grendel taught the hero a valuable lesson about maintaining one’s humanity in a world dominated by the dogs of war. The dragon, showed Beowulf’s mortality, his imperfection, but the hero eradicates it nonetheless, saving his people from not only physical threat, but sin. Bringing in such spiritual and moral dimensions, these two beasts certainly give the story of Beowulf depth.
A quote which really defines Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s ambition regarding power is “Power does not corrupt men; fools; however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power” George Bernard Shaw. Lady Macbeth is more ambitious in terms of gaining power then Macbeth is and that Lady Macbeth will do almost anything to gain power, even evil things that she normally wouldn’t do. This is shown when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth learn about the witches’ predictions, then roles in the plans to murder king Duncan in order to gain power and then finally after the murder, Macbeth doesn’t want to finish the plan making Lady Macbeth angry and causing a chance they might get caught and gain no power at all.
A conversation between Macbeth and Beowulf would be one with great disagreements and arguments due to the fact that both portrayed the same traits in distinct ways. Both men have two different ideals and approaches to certain situations. One of the common themes between both men would be of personal growth. They would disagree on this because both of the characters’ intents are different. Also, because personal growth comes through helping others progress as well. For example, Beowulf would speak about how he grew through helping and protecting others. Beowulf, a mighty human, decides to fight a dragon that threatens his people at the expense of his death. His only wish is to only provide riches for his people, but nothing for himself. On
There was a common saying, “Behind every great man there's a great woman”. The men, Macbeth and Winston Smith in Shakespeare’s Macbeth and George Orwell’s 1984 may not be considered as the “great man” however, both Lady Macbeth and Julia are good examples that can be presented as the “great woman” behind the men. Both Lady Macbeth and Julia do an excellent job of pretending to be someone who they are not, they are not only affecting the men in their lives to rethink their previous position but also have a bad ending accompanied with physical and psychological issues.
Beowulf displayed great courage and honor throughout his journeys and battles; he was an epic hero. An epic hero is a person who is viewed as larger than life and possesses values of a certain society. From the time of Beowulf’s battle with Grendel to his brawl against the dragon, he has showed everyone what being an honorable hero looks like. His heroism is revealed through both youth as a young warrior and wisdom as a reliable king. He never backed down and didn’t give up when situations were tough. Beowulf had obligations to fulfill and went about every aspect of his life with courage and strength. He cared for his people and was willing to take on anyone that threatened them or his kingdom. He sincerely was the hero of his time.
Beowulf and Macbeth both share the trait of courage. At the beginning of the story, the injured captain retells Macbeth's actions on the battlefield when fighting Macdonald and Sweno. The soldier's testimony shows Macbeth as a brave warrior. Beowulf demonstrates courage when deciding to face Grendel, the fierce beast who has
A true hero does not fear death or, but instead risks all that he is for what he believes to be right, moral, and just. Beowulf is an epic and tells the story of a legendary hero, conquering all obstacles as if he was immortal. Up until the end of Beowulf’s life he was constantly looking to be the hero. However, his humanity is exposed by his death. Heroes all share the characteristic of their willingness to die in their effort to accomplish their heroic act, thus making the act in itself heroic. Throughout the epic, Beowulf in many ways exhibited all the qualities and characteristics needed to be a true hero.
With a lack of courage, not many can accomplish much. As Beowulf travels, his courage not only grows but stands strong. In his journey to Hrothgar's kingdom, Beowulf is faced with many unbearable tasks many men wouldn't dare to go up against, but with Beowulf, he takes those tasks and runs with them. His fight with Grendal not only proves his courage but his strength as well. Beowulf, being a mortal man, takes Grendal by the hands and tears his hand from his body, leaving Grendal mortally wounded. When Grendal's mother attempts avenge for her son's death, she is rudely awakened. After her kill of Ashchere, she resorts back to her lair in Hell, but not for long. Beowulf goes looking after her and swims through the deep, dark, and miserable waters to Hell. He finds Grendal's mother there and kills her without any warning to her. His bravery saves his people back in his homeland as well. After gaining the throne, a terrible dragon starts to terrorize his home. Here he proves to his people that he is in fact a true hero. He, with the help of his dear kinsman, slays the dragon even after being wounded. His courage and strength truly proves him an epic hero.
Macbeth: Shakespeare's Comparisons and Contrasts. Throughout Macbeth Shakespeare uses comparison and contrast to bring out characteristics of his main character, Macbeth. Shakespeare uses comparisons with Duncan, Lady Macbeth, and Banquo to bring out aspects of Macbeth's character. After hearing of Macbeth's courageousness on the battlefield, Duncan, a good and honest king, bestows the title of Cawdor on Macbeth.
An epic hero demonstrates effective relations with his people; and in Beowulf, Beowulf takes that role. Throughout life and death, Beowulf uses his strength to empower his people as heroes should. With traits commoners desire, Beowulf utilizes his power while still maintaining the modesty required from an epic hero. Aside from extraordinary mental ability, Beowulf exemplifies heroic traits through his strength, reputation, and death.