Sir Thomas Malory brings forth a courageous
character , "King Arthur", utilizing weaponry and leadership, to
enlighten the reader of the unique characteristics of a true hero, on the other
hand, the unknown author of "Beowulf", depicts the Anglo-Saxan era to
tell a story of one who fights to better society. The noble King moves as a unit with his men
and pride to protect and serve the kinsmen of his realm. Beowulf wards off evil, unaccompanied, with
nothing but his hands.
As a distinct hero of the Medieval Period, King
Arthur relied greatly upon his arms and retainers. "Take thou here Excalibur..." The King had a extraordinary sword which he
brought forth and kept at his side at
all times. He fought many battles and
bore great trust into his prominent sword.
"`Now give me my spear.'
Then the King got his spear in his hands and ran towards
Mordred." The mighty Arthur depended
largely upon weapons as an alternative to hand-to-hand combat. "He behold that noble sword - That the
pommel and the haft was all preious stones." The distinguished Excalibur was carried and
shown with dignity. Immense care and
respect was imposed into the weapons of the king. The noble King Arthur utilized the arms of
his time, opposed to Beowulf's unarmed way of battle.
Described as the strongest man in the world,
Beowulf voyages across seas slaying evil demons with nothing but his bare
hands. "...Knew at once that
nowhere on earth had he met a man whose hands where harder." In the confrontation of Grendel and Beowulf,
our hero brings forth a force greater than the unmerciful dragon. Weaponless, Beowulf slays the dragon with his
divine tools of god. "And was
instantly seized himself, claws bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one
arm." Beowulf was seen as a hero who
conquered the evils with his sheer strength.
"Strongest of the Geats - Greater and stronger than anyone anywhere
in the world." Beowulf was a hero
for who he was, a physically superior being.
Additionally, he was adored by the Geats for his personality and
mentality, along with his accomplishments of bettering society.
King Arthur and Beowulf differed in their
beliefs and ways of battle. "I
alone...... may purge all evil from this hall..." Alone and unarmed, Beowulf fights as a hero. Beowulf does not fight in a group or
army. "The battle was over, Beowulf
had been granted new glory." Unlike
the noble King Arthur, Beowulf fights unaccompanied to improve society. "And when the host of both parties saw
that sword raised, they blew beams, trumpets, and horns, and shoned
grimly." The two sides, at the
battlegrounds, where organized, united and lead under the control of King
Arthur and Mordred. Orders proposed and
given by the leaders governed the actions of the soldiers unlike Beowulf's
solitary way of fighting.
King Arthur, a distinguished leader, relied
greatly upon the use of arms. He lead an
army, of "men in mail", against other troops. Beowulf, fought to rescue a group of people
and help the needy. Both heroes fight
and exploit characteristics found in models to society. Bravery, strength,
leadership, helping the underprivileged, are attributes seen in the "good
guys" of today. These characters
have adapted these methods and utilized them in the situation.
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