While different cultures honor and show homage to their dead in varied ways, humankind as a whole is fascinated by the idea of immortality and remembering those who have passed on. In Anglo-Saxon culture, the primary goal was to obtain immortality by attaining adoration and fame. Proper portrayal of this culture is important in understanding the evolution of the English language. This idolization of their cultural beliefs is best depicted through the archetypal Anglo-Saxon epic hero. The epic, Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, and Grendel, written by John Gardner, tell principally the same story through two different points of view. Due to disparate narrations, the epic hero and Anglo-Saxon culture are illustrated in unlike views.
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Essentially, an archetype is the original, generic prototype after which others are emulated. The archetypal epic hero is one who undertakes a great quest relating to society’s values. Additionally, they often battle a great monster, are of noble birth or rise to nobility, possess a great weapon, and are mortal. In Beowulf, Beowulf epitomizes the epic hero, possessing these traits and other common characteristics. Beowulf’s standard warrior attributes are best shown through “I should altogether fulfill the will of your people . . . I shall achieve a deed of manly courage” (Beowulf 113-15). Contrastingly, in Grendel, due to the point of view, Beowulf does not portray the stereotypical hero. Unferth better embodies the hero role as exemplified in “the hero sees values beyond what’s possible . . . it kills him . . . makes the whole struggle of humanity worthwhile” (Gardner 89). Likewise, the absence of momento mori in the novel almost allows Unferth and his significance to be forgotten. Due to Grendel’s hatred of Unferth, his commentary destroys Unferth’s reputation instead of sustaining it. This omission of momento mori leaves the hero noticeably weaker. Similarly, while both texts include elements of boasting, Grendel’s commentary in the novel causes Unferth’s boast to lose significance. In chapter six, Unferth speaks …show more content…
In the novel, Grendel is constantly scrutinizing Unferth’s decisions and actions. Obviously, Grendel ridicules how injudicious Unferth’s plans seem. However, Unferth’s tactics are based on standard Anglo-Saxon traditions which Grendel opposes and fails to comprehend. Grendel mocks Unferth’s heroic endeavors saying “everybody always watching you, weighing you, see if you’re still heroic” (Gardner 84). Additionally, Grendel notes how being heroic and under constant surveillance must be a dreadful thing and “wear on a man” (Grendel 84). As a result of Grendel’s commentary, the reader takes a less favorable opinion of a hero. In the epic, the epic hero is portrayed as desirable while in Grendel the hero is portrayed as ridiculous and irrational. Grendel’s satirical tone ridicules the hero; while the epic, written in typical Anglo-Saxon custom, depicts the epic hero
Essentially, an archetype is the original, generic prototype after which others are emulated. The archetypal epic hero is one who undertakes a great quest relating to society’s values. Additionally, they often battle a great monster, are of noble birth or rise to nobility, possess a great weapon, and are mortal. In Beowulf, Beowulf epitomizes the epic hero, possessing these traits and other common characteristics. Beowulf’s standard warrior attributes are best shown through “I should altogether fulfill the will of your people . . . I shall achieve a deed of manly courage” (Beowulf 113-15). Contrastingly, in Grendel, due to the point of view, Beowulf does not portray the stereotypical hero. Unferth better embodies the hero role as exemplified in “the hero sees values beyond what’s possible . . . it kills him . . . makes the whole struggle of humanity worthwhile” (Gardner 89). Likewise, the absence of momento mori in the novel almost allows Unferth and his significance to be forgotten. Due to Grendel’s hatred of Unferth, his commentary destroys Unferth’s reputation instead of sustaining it. This omission of momento mori leaves the hero noticeably weaker. Similarly, while both texts include elements of boasting, Grendel’s commentary in the novel causes Unferth’s boast to lose significance. In chapter six, Unferth speaks …show more content…
In the novel, Grendel is constantly scrutinizing Unferth’s decisions and actions. Obviously, Grendel ridicules how injudicious Unferth’s plans seem. However, Unferth’s tactics are based on standard Anglo-Saxon traditions which Grendel opposes and fails to comprehend. Grendel mocks Unferth’s heroic endeavors saying “everybody always watching you, weighing you, see if you’re still heroic” (Gardner 84). Additionally, Grendel notes how being heroic and under constant surveillance must be a dreadful thing and “wear on a man” (Grendel 84). As a result of Grendel’s commentary, the reader takes a less favorable opinion of a hero. In the epic, the epic hero is portrayed as desirable while in Grendel the hero is portrayed as ridiculous and irrational. Grendel’s satirical tone ridicules the hero; while the epic, written in typical Anglo-Saxon custom, depicts the epic hero