Beowulf

The story of Beowulf is unlike many of the previous stories we have read in class. Magic and the supernatural seem to surround the story of Beowulf. The past stories that we have read included what many people to be consider "supernatural" events and situations. The presence of God's and miracles as well as great divine power seems to engulf the previous stories that our class has consumed. I have noticed although that the supernatural power has been revealed but not actually visible or tangible in past stories. Stories from the bible discuss the power of god but the god's are never really seen or detailed as the various mythical creatures of Beowulf.

The stories of the Greek mythology seem to revolve around the God's but the God's are never actually in the stories but rather mentioned throughout the stories. The exception of a few stories such as Hercules where the God's are characters in the stories and Hercules fights multiple beasts and even takes on the God Hades. It seems to be the complete opposite in Beowulf compared to the stories we've read before in class. Beowulf focus on great battles, the supernatural, and mystical creatures, Monsters and dragons compared to prophets and kings seem like a significant difference between those stories and Beowulf.

The story reminds me of The Epic of Gilgamesh in many ways as both Beowulf and Gilgamesh start out by having to accomplish an impossible feat and gain respect. In a way Gilgamesh didn't really become a "king" until he accomplished his adventures and learned how to be a great king. Gilgamesh may have held the title of a king but his ignorance and inexperience made him more of a tyrant father then that of a king. Beowulf defeated Grendel and his monstrous mother which proved his great strength which led to him becoming king. Beowulf pursued to slay the Dragon that terrorized his Kingdom as Gilgamesh pursued eternal life. It could be argued that Beowulf was a better person then Gilgamesh from the beginning and gave his life to defeat the dragon so that his kingdom be free of terror.