Truth In Macbeth And Beowulf

Often times in life people come face to face with brutal truths. The reality of the truth is that sometimes accepting it means also accepting every repercussion and obstacle that comes along with it. There are special people who embrace these truths and take the ensuing challenges in stride. However, more often than not, people will acknowledge the harsh reality of truth and then refrain from acting upon it because it is easier to be complacent and put off the hard fought battles until the flood gates overflow. The problem with this approach is that the power of the flood can often be stronger after the water builds up behind this wall of complacency. This interaction with the truth is often exhibited in literature. Such behavior is commonly
Two examples of this idleness in literature are William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf. In both works, the characters are all too familiar with the brutal truths of their worlds. However, in both works, these characters choose to withhold from acting on the truth in order to take the road with less immediate obstructions. Seen in both Beowulf and Macbeth, often times people acknowledge what is the truth, but seldom act upon that truth because it would bring forth a slew of obstacles to overcome.
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, MacDuff, Thane of Fief, is immediately suspicious of Macbeth for the murder of King Duncan. MacDuff acknowledges this violent truth, but when prompted, does not act on that truth. Instead, MacDuff goes as far as to lie and completely avoid the truth in order to avoid the consequences that the truth would bring, Ross asks of MacDuff, “Is’t known who did this more than bloody deed?”(2.4.24-31), and MacDuff responds, “Those that macbeth hath slain
They see the mightiest fall of the beast. They see many men knocked off their pedestals. They have seen the truth first hand, that no man is invincible. Contrastingly, it is with the greatest admiration and hope that they hold Beowulf in a higher regard. The villagers and even King Hrothgar sees Beowulf as a God and give every responsibility to him, “But you have made yourself immortal By your glorious action”(21). The most supreme and noble citizen calls Beowulf “immortal” in front of every other citizen in the mead hall. The Danes have seen warriors, kings, and men alike fail and fall at some point. They know that Beowulf cannot truly be invincible. However, they never act on that truth but instead continue to treat Beowulf like a mystical and unbreakable God. If they accept the truth then they are without true hope, and it is easier for them to live in the dark than to live with no hope and only truth. In conjunction with that Godly treatment, they hand Beowulf every responsibility of keeping the people safe. They ignore the truth that Beowulf will one day fall because of the instant gratification of not having to face their monsters and problems face to face. Through this complacency and blatant disregard for the truth, the people are able to sit back and watch Beowulf and his men fight every battle for them. Ultimately, once the truth does come out and Beowulf shows vulnerability, nobody knows what to do because