The Odyssey And Beowulf Comparison
The Odyssey and Beowulf Comparison Epics are centered on the deeds and triumphs of their heroes. They focus on the feats of warriors who embody the cultural values of a nation. Both The Odyssey written by Homer and Beowulf an Anglo-Saxon epic represent the honor that comes along with fame, and hospitality found within a society.
The emphasis on the glory of fame stems from the commonly referred terms Kleos and Timè. Both epics have a focus on glory as well as honor. Beowulf even says, “I shall achieve fame for myself with Hrunting, or death will carry me off” (“Beowulf” 27). The beliefs of this time period were largely based on fighting; the acquisition of gold and land were gained through war, and thus a person’s power and renown …show more content…
rested on their ability to kill. Beowulf kills the monsters that terrorize Hereot for the title rather than the courtesy of doing so. Similarly, Odysseus yearns for the benefits of Kleos which later leads to horrific consequences. He shouts from the safety of his ship, “Cyclops, if any mortal man should ask about the shameful blinding of your eye, then tell him that the man who gouged you was Odysseus, ravager of cities: one who lives in Ithaca – Laertes’ son” (Homer 185). Just as Beowulf, Odysseus wants to attain the title that comes along with his glory. Once Poseidon hears of the man that blinded the Cyclops, Odysseus’ shouts of victory turn to defeat. This pride and longing for Kleos and Timè results in the demise of most of Odysseus’ crew and his prolonged journey home, showing us that those aspects of culture must have meant more to him than the safety of himself, and his crew. Homer recognizes and highlights the consequences that glory provides, while still displaying the positive aspects of it (Ford). One may argue that Beowulf is motivated by the greed for Kleos and Timè whereas Odysseus is simply a victim of its temptation; both characters are chained by their society’s celebration of it. Therefore, they are pure symbols of this aspect of culture. In addition, hospitality is a prevalent theme that runs throughout both Beowulf and The Odyssey.
In the system of comitatus a king must provide food, land, weapons, and gifts to his warriors, in return they must offer the king with leadership and full support in a battle (Turner). In Beowulf, King Hrothgar and Queen Wealhtheow express the ideals of generosity and hospitality. “Further the lord of earls bestowed treasure on the mead-bench, ancient blades, to each of those who travelled the ocean path with Beowulf” (“Beowulf” 19). The reciprocal relationship that this exchange features establishes an almost sacred belief of the time. Likewise, Homer’s didactic approach to The Odyssey and its core ethics and values surrounds much of Greek philosophy (Bloom). Once entering the land of the Cyclopes Odysseus proclaims, “We hope you welcome us; we hope to get some gift” (Homer 177). Odysseus expects security and offerings from Polyphemus, and he is not received well. This later proves that hospitality can be turned into a negative thing. Xenia demands certain behaviors from the host, and in this time it was the closest thing to an absolute moral mandate (Bloom). Although the Xenia in Beowulf is positively influenced and this example of Xenia in The Odyssey is negative, they are both strong illustrations because hospitality is such an established part of these separate lifestyles. Just as any other characteristic of society there are both positive and negative influences of
it. In Conclusion, Odysseus and Beowulf are distinct heroes who pave the way for the cultural and societal influences of their respective time periods. Both The Odyssey and Beowulf are two separate works that come together through the emphasis of reputation and renown, and the establishment and demand of Xenia.
Works Cited
Beowulf. New York: Dover Publications Inc., 1992. Print.
Bloom, Harold, ed."Background to The Odyssey."Bloom 's Literature. Facts On File, Inc.Web. 2 Nov. 2013 .
Ford, James. "heroism in The Odyssey." Bloom 's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 2 Nov. 2013 .
Mandelbaum, Allen. The Odyssey of Homer. New York: Bantam Dell, 1990. Print.
Turner, John . "Comitatus and Chivalry: Social codes as seen in epics "Beowulf" and "Morte D 'Arthur".."Universal Journal. The Association of Young Journalists . Web. 2 Nov 2013. .
The emphasis on the glory of fame stems from the commonly referred terms Kleos and Timè. Both epics have a focus on glory as well as honor. Beowulf even says, “I shall achieve fame for myself with Hrunting, or death will carry me off” (“Beowulf” 27). The beliefs of this time period were largely based on fighting; the acquisition of gold and land were gained through war, and thus a person’s power and renown …show more content…
rested on their ability to kill. Beowulf kills the monsters that terrorize Hereot for the title rather than the courtesy of doing so. Similarly, Odysseus yearns for the benefits of Kleos which later leads to horrific consequences. He shouts from the safety of his ship, “Cyclops, if any mortal man should ask about the shameful blinding of your eye, then tell him that the man who gouged you was Odysseus, ravager of cities: one who lives in Ithaca – Laertes’ son” (Homer 185). Just as Beowulf, Odysseus wants to attain the title that comes along with his glory. Once Poseidon hears of the man that blinded the Cyclops, Odysseus’ shouts of victory turn to defeat. This pride and longing for Kleos and Timè results in the demise of most of Odysseus’ crew and his prolonged journey home, showing us that those aspects of culture must have meant more to him than the safety of himself, and his crew. Homer recognizes and highlights the consequences that glory provides, while still displaying the positive aspects of it (Ford). One may argue that Beowulf is motivated by the greed for Kleos and Timè whereas Odysseus is simply a victim of its temptation; both characters are chained by their society’s celebration of it. Therefore, they are pure symbols of this aspect of culture. In addition, hospitality is a prevalent theme that runs throughout both Beowulf and The Odyssey.
In the system of comitatus a king must provide food, land, weapons, and gifts to his warriors, in return they must offer the king with leadership and full support in a battle (Turner). In Beowulf, King Hrothgar and Queen Wealhtheow express the ideals of generosity and hospitality. “Further the lord of earls bestowed treasure on the mead-bench, ancient blades, to each of those who travelled the ocean path with Beowulf” (“Beowulf” 19). The reciprocal relationship that this exchange features establishes an almost sacred belief of the time. Likewise, Homer’s didactic approach to The Odyssey and its core ethics and values surrounds much of Greek philosophy (Bloom). Once entering the land of the Cyclopes Odysseus proclaims, “We hope you welcome us; we hope to get some gift” (Homer 177). Odysseus expects security and offerings from Polyphemus, and he is not received well. This later proves that hospitality can be turned into a negative thing. Xenia demands certain behaviors from the host, and in this time it was the closest thing to an absolute moral mandate (Bloom). Although the Xenia in Beowulf is positively influenced and this example of Xenia in The Odyssey is negative, they are both strong illustrations because hospitality is such an established part of these separate lifestyles. Just as any other characteristic of society there are both positive and negative influences of
it. In Conclusion, Odysseus and Beowulf are distinct heroes who pave the way for the cultural and societal influences of their respective time periods. Both The Odyssey and Beowulf are two separate works that come together through the emphasis of reputation and renown, and the establishment and demand of Xenia.
Works Cited
Beowulf. New York: Dover Publications Inc., 1992. Print.
Bloom, Harold, ed."Background to The Odyssey."Bloom 's Literature. Facts On File, Inc.Web. 2 Nov. 2013 .
Ford, James. "heroism in The Odyssey." Bloom 's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 2 Nov. 2013 .
Mandelbaum, Allen. The Odyssey of Homer. New York: Bantam Dell, 1990. Print.
Turner, John . "Comitatus and Chivalry: Social codes as seen in epics "Beowulf" and "Morte D 'Arthur".."Universal Journal. The Association of Young Journalists . Web. 2 Nov 2013. .