Comparing Temptation In Anglo-Saxon And Renaissance Literature
Temptation in Anglo-Saxon and Renaissance Literature
“Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more! By Sinel’s death I know I am Thane of Glamis, but how of Cawdor?” This quote from Shakespeare’s Macbeth is an interesting representation of temptation, a theme commonly found in many classic works of literature (I, iii, 70). The universal theme of temptation is evident in both Anglo-Saxon and Renaissance literature throughout the character’s interactions and decisions in challenging circumstances. This theme appears in different ways through Beowulf, Macbeth, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It can be destructive, but sometimes it has the ability to save.
The temptation of power is seen in all three classic works, the characters often going great lengths to meet these internal and external desires. In Beowulf, Beowulf is tempted to use his strength and superhuman powers alone to defeat Grendel and save the Danes, as stated in line 267; “my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster.” Beowulf’s power was actually what saved the Danes from further bloodshed by Grendel. Temptation in Macbeth is especially strong. Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband to kill the King of Cawdor, Duncan, …show more content…
because she is power-hungry and dangerously ambitious. Macbeth gives into the desire to satisfy his wife, and possibly himself, too. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain uses the magical powers of the green sash he is given to survive an ax blow to the neck. Although this may be seen as dishonest and cowardly, he learns that he values his own life. His desire to keep his life reigns over all else, and he gives into the natural human inclination to survive no matter what it takes.
Closely following power, the temptation to lie and be deceitful is a common struggle within the three works, particularly Macbeth and Sir Gawain and the Green Giant. To elaborate, Macbeth is constantly tempted to lie to cover up the deeds he has done; “I think not of them (the Weird Sisters). Yet when we can entreat an hour to serve, we would spend it in some words upon that business,” telling Banquo that he hasn’t thought about the prophecy when he really has. Sir Gawain fools the lord of the castle about the sash he received from his wife. Then, he wears it to face the ax, “That sash you wear by your scabbard belongs to me; my own wife gave it to you, as I ought to know,” because he has come to value his own life more than before he accepted the challenge. It is engrained in human nature to survive above all else, and lying becomes a smaller wrong in the grand scheme of things. Beowulf covers his true desires of fame when he fights Grendel’s mother, “But Beowulf longed only for fame” (Beowulf line 502). He exhibits the temptation to deceive and lie for personal gain.
Temptation to follow one’s fate is often overlooked in literature.
Beowulf the great hero believes that the outcome of his fight with Grendel has already been decided, as stated in the quote in line 269; “God must decide who will be given to death’s cold grip.” This attitude gives him the courage, because since fate has already been decided, he might as well try anyway! Macbeth believes that the Weird Sisters’ prophecy will come true, and so he does whatever he must to support this theory, even if it means committing evil deeds. Sir Gawain thinks that his life would be least missed, and he is forever bound to the code of chivalry (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, line 137). He sacrifices himself for his king, because that is the fate that he has
accepted.
Both Anglo-Saxon and Renaissance literature is full of temptation, and it comes in many different forms. Even though temptation has a negative connotation, it can sometimes be a positive driving force to accomplish something that needs to be done. Temptation is a theme that is present in modern literature today, as it has an inevitable part in the human conditioning. It will always be present in literature, because most people will always be able to relate in some way.
“Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more! By Sinel’s death I know I am Thane of Glamis, but how of Cawdor?” This quote from Shakespeare’s Macbeth is an interesting representation of temptation, a theme commonly found in many classic works of literature (I, iii, 70). The universal theme of temptation is evident in both Anglo-Saxon and Renaissance literature throughout the character’s interactions and decisions in challenging circumstances. This theme appears in different ways through Beowulf, Macbeth, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It can be destructive, but sometimes it has the ability to save.
The temptation of power is seen in all three classic works, the characters often going great lengths to meet these internal and external desires. In Beowulf, Beowulf is tempted to use his strength and superhuman powers alone to defeat Grendel and save the Danes, as stated in line 267; “my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster.” Beowulf’s power was actually what saved the Danes from further bloodshed by Grendel. Temptation in Macbeth is especially strong. Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband to kill the King of Cawdor, Duncan, …show more content…
because she is power-hungry and dangerously ambitious. Macbeth gives into the desire to satisfy his wife, and possibly himself, too. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain uses the magical powers of the green sash he is given to survive an ax blow to the neck. Although this may be seen as dishonest and cowardly, he learns that he values his own life. His desire to keep his life reigns over all else, and he gives into the natural human inclination to survive no matter what it takes.
Closely following power, the temptation to lie and be deceitful is a common struggle within the three works, particularly Macbeth and Sir Gawain and the Green Giant. To elaborate, Macbeth is constantly tempted to lie to cover up the deeds he has done; “I think not of them (the Weird Sisters). Yet when we can entreat an hour to serve, we would spend it in some words upon that business,” telling Banquo that he hasn’t thought about the prophecy when he really has. Sir Gawain fools the lord of the castle about the sash he received from his wife. Then, he wears it to face the ax, “That sash you wear by your scabbard belongs to me; my own wife gave it to you, as I ought to know,” because he has come to value his own life more than before he accepted the challenge. It is engrained in human nature to survive above all else, and lying becomes a smaller wrong in the grand scheme of things. Beowulf covers his true desires of fame when he fights Grendel’s mother, “But Beowulf longed only for fame” (Beowulf line 502). He exhibits the temptation to deceive and lie for personal gain.
Temptation to follow one’s fate is often overlooked in literature.
Beowulf the great hero believes that the outcome of his fight with Grendel has already been decided, as stated in the quote in line 269; “God must decide who will be given to death’s cold grip.” This attitude gives him the courage, because since fate has already been decided, he might as well try anyway! Macbeth believes that the Weird Sisters’ prophecy will come true, and so he does whatever he must to support this theory, even if it means committing evil deeds. Sir Gawain thinks that his life would be least missed, and he is forever bound to the code of chivalry (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, line 137). He sacrifices himself for his king, because that is the fate that he has
accepted.
Both Anglo-Saxon and Renaissance literature is full of temptation, and it comes in many different forms. Even though temptation has a negative connotation, it can sometimes be a positive driving force to accomplish something that needs to be done. Temptation is a theme that is present in modern literature today, as it has an inevitable part in the human conditioning. It will always be present in literature, because most people will always be able to relate in some way.