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Word count: 908
Augustinian vs Beowulf
When compared to Augustine, Beowulf is rather more aggressive and prouder and always attached to what he believes as right in the eyes of the public. He appears to be deeply rooted in the life of perfection that he believes is the driver to do good and remain in harmony with his peers. While Augustine is driven by the belief that good is always the right energy and path to life, Beowulf shows mixed traits that are the key to his traits and behavior. Beowulf takes little regard of what the result of his action could bring and only shows concern when he achieves what he wants by claiming to be the hero in times of need. Beowulf’s on the other side believes in pushing his way and this has made him deviate from the real course of a hero who should be brave and still show the good side. Beowulf transform himself into a man who is in pursuit of recognition and this fills his mind as well as controlling every decision he made.
In his defense, Beowulf claimed that his actions and aggressive tactics were meant to keep his spirit alive and strong in fight for the survival of the society. One of the key traits portrayed by Beowulf was self-drive and he always acted alone in the search for what would bring fulfilment in his heart (Chance 55). He accuses those who stand in his way as the source of the problems that he faced as well as that of the society. In addition, Beowulf believes that he is not only strong and wise but the only hero who can redirect the community to its destination. “Anyone with gumption and a sharp mind will take the measure of two things: what’s said and what’s done.” ― Seamus Heaney, Beowulf One of the defining traits showed by Beowulf is the inclusive value for a life of self-drive but he cares less about how he affects and annoys those around him. In most occasions, Beowulf laments the many years he had wasted in living a double life that would have bene committed to realizing his dreams. There is a great contact between Augustine and Beowulf as they both behave and portray unique traits.
While Augustine takes a humble life and commits to realizing his own potential in seeking God, Beowulf is full of pride and believes that he is the foretold hero of the society. Tied to bis past and in search for self-realization, Beowulf is full of vigor to ensure he lives to be a hero. He is often blinded by his past and still his pursuit and drive for heroic recognition overshadows his own self. The behavior portrays the hidden behavior where he acts in solitary world to build what he views as the right angle to living his dream (Chance 63). The contrast between Augustine and Beowulf reveals in many areas both in behavior, emotional control, and the way they interact with their peers. “In the end each clan on the outlying coasts beyond the whale-road had to yield to him and begin to pay tribute. That was one good king.” One of the main ways Beowulf shows his trait is when confronted with challenges and forced to go out of his way to reveal what can achieve. In line this, Beowulf is sure that he has to fulfil his dream and thus acts in very mischievous ways as he tries to build a life that can accommodate what he believes as true and happy for him and those he loves (Chance 88). Augustine seeks to derive the right energy into making the best of his last days by seeking God’s guidance and repentance. Beowulf’s success and perceived heroic journey are the source of his pride that hinders his full capacity and humility.
Augustine is humble and seeks to regain his good deeds and make the right move in a bid to make things. In most instances, Beowulf acts in selfish ways that contradicts what most people perceive him to be including when his friends refer him as very calm and honest man. In this line, Beowulf is thus living a life where he contradicts his personality and this is mainly being driven by his search for a title. In contrast, Augustine makes a decision to live a life of humility as he searches for the truth and relief for what he perceives as a life of loss and pride. In self recollection, Augustine peruses peace and love and he is always seeking forgiveness and repentance from God. The traits showed by Beowulf and Augustine thus vary in their finals days as the both take a different view of life. One of the underlying and defining traits of Augustine is that he is tired of living a life of sin and arrogance and decides to seek repentance (Chance 76). On the other hand, Beowulf is still blinded by his past and now believes that he is still near to realizing his true heroic status. The behavior, actions, and decisions made by Beowulf are thus a reflection of what he is after as well as his life of selfishness and pride. In fact, Beowulf believes that he is in control of his life and so far, no one can shape what he thinks or change his destiny.
Work Cited
Chance, Jane. “Tolkien’s Classical Beowulf and England’s Heroic Age.” Tolkien Studies 15.1 (2018): 59-91.