Question

Who do you think is a better ruler Macbeth or Beowulf? What makes your choice a better option? What qualities does this character possess that make him a better leader?

Answer 1

Answer:

Literature is full of different genres and specific styles that help create varied works. The pieces of literature are imaginative and various writings that may be united under the genres and styles. However, even when the genres differ, it is possible to come across some specific similarities. This short essay aims to make a comparison of Beowulf and Macbeth – two outstanding pieces of British literature. Reading Beowulf, an Anglo Saxon poem, and Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the first impression is that they are not alike.

However, when one reads and compares Beowulf vs Macbeth, it becomes clear that a tragedy, the genre of Macbeth, and the epic poem, Beowulf’s genre, have several similarities. However, the differences are more numerous. Comparing and contrasting the styles of these two plays, the similarities are more interesting for consideration as they are more difficult for identification.

It is important to point to the similarities in the two pieces of literature analyzed. How are Beowulf and Macbeth similar? They are as follows: the presentation of the heroes, the consideration of the ethical themes, and the final stages of the plays — the latter help to draw some ethical conclusions based on the peculiarity of the actions of the heroes.

Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chaps,

And fixed his head upon our battlements (Shakespeare 8).

The characteristics of Beowulf is as follows, “the hero had acted with flawless courage… he was the most famous of exiles, a protector of warriors, acknowledged among men for his valorous deeds, his remarkable strength – after Heremod’s struggles came to an end, the eclipsed that hero (Beowulf 26)”.

The above quotes from the texts show that similarity is undeniable. Being tragic and epic characters, they are resembling in being the protectors and hopes for their societies.

The author presented their main characters in different genres as similar to no other styles could perform. Therefore, one can conclude that tragic and epic genres are identical in describing the main characters, the heroes of their times.

These two pieces of writing, tragic and epic, help consider the ethical and moral side of the discussion. Macbeth makes a severe mistake. His pride and self-assurance do not allow him to see all the warnings, and in the end, the hero dies being combated and destroyed.

The death of the main character is the characteristic feature of the tragedy as the genre. Macbeth stands on the path of violence, “seeing himself at a point of no return” (Beardwood and Macdonell 7).

Shakespeare presents this part in the text as follows, “Returning were as tedious as go o’er’” (Shakespeare 89). Beowulf is also concerned with human values and moral choices. The epic heroes “are capable of performing acts of great courage; they are also capable of suffering intensely for their deeds” (Warsh and Spring 22).

Thus, the ethical concern of the heroes is one more similarity in two pieces of writing. However, the close consideration of the moral actions of each of the heroes helps conclude that pride was the failure in Macbeth, while Beowulf managed to conserve the positive attitude of the society by means of his actions. Struggling with dragons and other dangerous creatures, Beowulf showed himself as a person of great courage and fearless performance, ambitious and able to cope with difficulties.

Answer 2

Answer:

• Beowulf was always the stronger of the two because his confidence was already within him whereas Macbeth gains his confidence after he assassinated the king and got away with it. They both had a sense of boastfulness among them and believed they would never be brought down.
• What is a good choice? Good choices are decisions that keep you heading in the direction in which you want to go. Bad choices, on the other hand, end up being counterproductive and can quickly begin spiraling into stress, confusion, and despai.
• What Are the Characteristics of a Good Leader?
• Integrity.
• Ability to delegate.
• Communication.
• Self-awareness.
• Gratitude.
• Learning agility.

Influence.Empathy.