Posted: October 7th, 2022

Essay: Oedipus and Beowulf

Essay: Oedipus and Beowulf.

Oedipus and Beowulf are two of the greatest heroes of early literature. Both characters have captivated audiences for centuries with their epic tales. Despite the fact that their stories were written as much as a thousand years apart and set in two very different cultures, the two main characters have much in common. Their narratives explore universal themes of heroism and fate. Each of them becomes heroes because others are in danger. Their bravery and selflessness define their legendary status. Oedipus and Beowulf both possess courage to face monsters, and they have the strength to defeat those terrible creatures. Their victories over formidable foes are central to their stories. They both become kings, ruling over the people they saved. Their leadership is marked by both triumph and tragedy. However, Oedipus and Beowulf are different in one important way. Their destinies unfold in contrasting manners. Oedipus, although he doesn’t know it, is doomed from birth. His tragic fate is sealed by prophecy.

The story of Oedipus is a Greek myth, and it begins with a terrible curse. This curse sets the stage for a tale of inevitable doom. The king and queen of Thebes, Larius and Jocasta, are told by an oracle (or prophet) that their son will kill his father and marry his mother. This prophecy haunts their every decision. To avoid that fate, they leave their newborn child on a mountain, where he is found and eventually adopted by another king, Polybus of Corinth. This twist of fate alters the course of Oedipus’s life. So Oedipus, despite being abandoned by his birth parents, is still raised as a prince. His royal upbringing shapes his identity and actions. This is important because due to his pride in being a prince, Oedipus will eventually commit a terrible act. His hubris becomes his downfall.

Beowulf is also well-born, although he is not the son of a king. His noble lineage is evident in his actions and demeanor. However, his pride is equal to that of Oedipus, which is why he journeys to the kingdom of Denmark. His quest for glory drives him forward. He is determined to defeat the monster Grendel, and when at a banquet one of the Danes questions his bravery, Beowulf not only responds with a long litany of his accomplishments, he also leaves the banquet, finds Grendel, and kills him bare-handed. His strength and courage are unmatched. If the Dane’s taunt at the banquet could be considered a case of “put up or shut up,” Beowulf definitely rises to the challenge. His actions speak louder than words.

Like Beowulf, Oedipus has courage and wants to do the right thing. His intentions are noble, even if his fate is not. Indeed, once he becomes an adult and learns of the prediction that he will kill his father and marry his mother, he leaves Corinth, determined to avoid that fate. His journey is one of self-discovery and tragedy. His intentions are pure. However, his pride, just like Beowulf’s, leads him into danger. His hubris blinds him to the truth. On the road to Thebes, Oedipus, travelling on foot and no doubt looking like a peasant, since he had no servants or baggage with him, meets a man and his servant driving a chariot. This encounter is pivotal in his story. There’s not room on the road for both of them, so the man orders Oedipus to move aside and “yield to a better man.” This is where Oedipus’ pride deals him a fatal blow, although he doesn’t know it yet. His refusal to yield sets off a chain of tragic events. Having been raised as a prince, he refuses to yield because no man is his superior, or so he believes. His arrogance leads to violence. In the resulting struggle, he kills the man and his servant, not knowing until many years later what he’s just done. This act seals his fate.

Travelling on to Thebes, Oedipus learns that the city is being threatened by a terrible creature called the Sphinx. This new challenge tests his intellect and resolve. This half-woman, half-lion monster blocks the road and demands that travelers answer her riddle. Her presence is a blight on the city. When they cannot, she kills them. Her cruelty knows no bounds. Oedipus is a man who uses his brain instead of someone like Beowulf, who simply applies cold steel to every problem. His intelligence is his greatest weapon. Oedipus decides he will face the Sphinx, and he solves the riddle she asks. His cleverness saves the city. Infuriated, the Sphinx throws herself from a cliff and dies. The citizens of Thebes, finally free of the Sphinx, hail Oedipus as their savior. His victory brings him honor and acclaim. They offer him the throne and the hand of the city’s widowed queen—Jocasta. This offer is both a blessing and a curse. Oedipus, not knowing the terrible fate that awaits him, accepts the honor and marries the queen. His ignorance of his true identity leads to his downfall.

Beowulf does not win the hand of a queen as a reward for killing Grendel, but he is showered with riches by the grateful king of the Danes. His rewards are material rather than matrimonial. However, like Oedipus, Beowulf still has dangers to face. His journey is far from over. Grendel’s mother, another terrible monster, comes looking for revenge, and Beowulf must face and kill her as well, which he does without hesitating. His bravery is unwavering. No monster, it seems, is dreadful enough to scare Beowulf. His fearlessness is legendary. His reputation grows, and eventually, like Oedipus, his courage earns him a kingdom. His legacy is one of strength and valor.

However, all is not well in the kingdom of Thebes. The city is plagued by misfortune and despair. For almost twenty years, Oedipus has ruled with Jocasta. Their reign is marked by prosperity and peace. They have four children, two boys and two girls. Their family seems blessed. Oedipus ruled wisely and well, but then suddenly, everything seemed to change. The gods’ wrath descends upon them. Cattle died, women stopped giving birth, and people sickened. The city is gripped by fear and uncertainty. Oedipus, still wanting to do the right thing, sends a message to the Oracle at Delphi, asking how to stop these plagues, which are obviously a sign that the gods are angry. His quest for answers leads to devastating revelations. He is told that the only way to save Thebes is to punish the man who murdered his father and married his mother. The truth is a heavy burden. Oedipus discovers the truth. His world crumbles around him. Jocasta kills herself, and Oedipus puts out his own eyes. His suffering is immense and unending. His fate has caught up with him, and for the rest of his life, he will be a poor wanderer, shunned by many and crushed by the truth of what he did. His story is a cautionary tale of pride and fate. Yet he doesn’t try to hide the facts. His acceptance of his fate is a testament to his character. He’s brave enough to accept the reality of his situation, no matter how terrible. His courage in the face of despair is profound.

Beowulf, although not under the kind of curse that haunts Oedipus, is also “cursed”—by his fame. His reputation is both a blessing and a burden. For more than 50 years, he rules his kingdom well and wisely. His reign is marked by peace and prosperity. However, there comes word of that a terrible dragon has emerged from its underground lair and is killing people all through the countryside and setting fires wherever it goes. This new threat challenges his legacy. Beowulf is old now; he could have sent soldiers from his kingdom to fight the dragon. His age does not diminish his bravery. However, he seems to know that his time is almost up, so he picks up his sword and bravely goes out for one last battle. His final act is one of heroism and sacrifice. Beowulf does kill the dragon, but in the process, the dragon bites him and poisons Beowulf, who dies at the moment of his final triumph. His death is both tragic and glorious. Like Oedipus, Beowulf does not run and hide from his fate, even if it means his death. His acceptance of his destiny is noble. He has the courage to face reality as well. His legacy endures through his deeds.

Both Beowulf and Oedipus are strong, resourceful, and noble characters. Their stories continue to inspire and teach. Each tries to protect the helpless and battle the monsters of the world. Their heroism is timeless. The greatest tragedy to me is that Fate, which in Greek literature is not just a force but are actual goddesses, dooms Oedipus despite his attempts to avoid the sin he eventually commits. His struggle against destiny is poignant and profound. He would have never intentionally did what he did, but every step he took to escape his fate only brought him closer to it. His story is a testament to the power of fate. I suppose it could be argued that if Oedipus had kept his temper when he met the old man on the road to Thebes, none of this would have ever happened. His choices are both his own and not his own. However, I’m not sure that’s true. The inevitability of his fate is haunting. I think the Fates would have just figured out another way to trap him. His story is a reminder of the limits of human agency.

To me, Beowulf seems to be a luckier hero. His life, though filled with challenges, is also filled with triumphs. While he does die in the end, he dies gloriously in battle after a long and successful reign. His death is a fitting end to a heroic life. He doesn’t have to wander the earth hated and cursed like Oedipus. His legacy is one of honor and valor. He dies a hero, while Oedipus dies wretched and in despair. Their contrasting fates highlight the complexities of heroism and destiny.