Similarities Between Oedipus And Beowulf

Alyssa Tenorio
Weeg
Ap English Lit
September 24,2014
Oedipus the King and Beowulf compare and contrast essay
In both stories, Oedipus the King and Beowulf, they show the same aspects of arrogance, hubris, and loftiness. Oedipus and Beowulf are excellent figures that portray how arrogance can predispose the outcome of your fate.
Throughout the tragedy of Oedipus the King, his arrogance standpoint leads him to find his fate is out of his authority to control. Oedipus first shows his arrogance in the beginning of the book while speaking to Tiresias, “You can’t hurt me, you night-hatched thing! Me or any man who lives in light.” (22) This quote uses diction related to his aloofness and ignorance of the death of Laius. The author also uses aphorism to express the thought that Tiresias is worth nothing compared to Oedipus and is more important than him
Another quote that shows Oedipus’s arrogance and egotism is when he communicates sincere concern for his people and their circumstances, yet immediately turns their attention away from the gods and onto himself by proclaiming “Here I am myself—you all know me, the world knows my name: I am Oedipus.” The quote expresses the needy attention he wants and needs to seeks from the people of Thebes. The poet’s use of

foreshadowing in this line is displays how at first the world knew him as the hero of Thebes but later on became known for causing the city of Thebes to be in trouble in the first place.
Oedipus does not change much throughout the play. In the beginning he portrays himself as a good ruler. He ends the plague and sends Teiresias to discover the murderer of Laius. After discovering who the murderer is, Teiresias refuses to name the murderer, which was unknowingly Oedipus. Not till it was too late, Oedipus realizes he was being protected from the knowledge of the death of Laius and that he was actually the cause of the plague. To end all the chaos, Oedipus exiles himself to save the city from the curse.
Oedipus shows a lot of the same characteristics as Beowulf, arrogance, egotism, and loftiness.

Beowulf shows his self-love when he states “Grendel is no braver, no stronger than I am! I could kill him with my sword; I shall not, easy as it would be. This fiend is a bold and famous fighter, but his claws and teeth… beating at my sword blade, would be helpless. I meet him with my hands empty-unless his heart fails him, seeing a soldier waiting weaponless, unafraid. Let God in his wisdom extend his hand where he wills, reward whom he chooses!” showing how he thinks he’s superior to other soldiers. The write uses this paradox showing how he once was the greatest but as the time went on his strength

decreases.
Other ways that Beowulf shows his strength decreasing is when he is facing the dragon, “when he comes to me I mean to stand, not run from his shooting flames, stand till fate decides which of us wins. My heart is firm, my hands calm: I nee no hot words.” This quote displays how great of an example Beowulf is of a round character, a character who demonstrates some complexity and who develops or changes in the course of work, the character presents this by being the best of his time but he later on becomes old and weak.
Unlike Oedipus, Beowulf changes throughout the story. In the beginning Beowulf shows the traits of a great hero, self-love, loyalty and pride. Towards the end, the heroic character sacrifices himself during the battle with the dragon. Alongside Beowulf, Wiglaf and him fight and defeat the dragon before the death of Beowulf.
Both heroism and arrogance are both characteristics Oedipus and Beowulf carry. Contributing to his own downfall, Oedipus Rex is considered a tragic hero. Beowulf is considered an epic hero, he is gloried and admired for his heroic deeds and is rewarded with fame and fortune. Both characters come to realise their arrogance and heroism will determine and portray their fate.