Summary:
The Beowulf character from "Beowulf" is compared to U.S. General George S. Patton.
Many present-day movies consist of a similar plot: good vs. evil. In these movies, there is the bad guy, or the evil enemy that tries to ruin all normality and all viewers love to hate. On the other hand, there is the good guy, or the super hero with superhuman strength to save the day and overcome the evil. In the movie "Peter Pan", Captain Hook tries to rid Never Never Land of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, but Peter Pan prevails and makes Captain Hook walk the plank. In the movie "Lion King", Simba overcomes his Uncle Scar from taking over as ruler of Pride Rock by fighting Scar and his band of hissing hyenas. These movies are full of enchantment and makes the world seem right and just once more.
In the story "Beowulf", Beowulf, son of Healfdane and noble of the Geats, travels to Herot to help King Hrothgar rid a horrible monster named Grendel. In Grendel's very first massacre, he slaughtered more than thirty men! Beowulf arrives in Herot with fourteen of his strongest and bravest men. After speaking with King Hrothgar, Beowulf plans to attract Grendel to the mead hall during a meal. The plan works and Beowulf is waiting for him, confidant and ready to fight without the aid of any armor. After Grendel eats one of Beowulf's men in frustration, Beowulf pulls off Grendel's arm and Grendel flees. Beowulf and his men follow the monster to his home lake in the swamp that he shares with his monster mother. Grendel's mother is furious at the death of her son, and pulls Beowulf into her lair. After a long and enduring struggle, Beowulf decapitates her and brings the head back to the Danes and Geats who celebrate his return and the end of terror in Herot. General George S. Patton attended the U.S. Military Academy and after graduating, joined the U.S. military. General Patton was then raised to second lieutenant and served in World War I. He was wounded commanding tank brigades in France and due to his brilliant record, was promoted to a permanent rank of commander by 1942. During World War II, General Patton volunteered to command troops in Europe and traveled to Morocco, Tunisia, and Sicily. In 1943, Patton commanded the Seventh Army during the invasion of Sicily and helped restore Sicily to its citizens. In 1944, General Patton was given the command of the Third Army, one of the most successful and undefeated divisions in World War II history. Patton's Third Army advanced quickly across France and broke through German defenses and battled across Europe with success in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia. He traveled with his army across the Rhine River and also to Austria to secure their victories, conquering over 81,000 miles of German territory. On the way to command another division of the Army, General Patton was injured in a automobile accident after throwing his passenger out to save him and died twelve days later.
These two people, the mythological Beowulf and war veteran General George S. Patton are related in several ways. First, Beowulf and General Patton are both daring and fearless to travel to other places they are not familiar with to defend what they believe is right. Beowulf's daring nature is displayed when the speaker says "heard how Grendel filled nights with horror and quickly commanded a boat fitted out, proclaiming that he'd go to that famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed" (47). General Patton displays that same fearlessness when he and his troops were sent to Europe to defend the United States in World War II. Also, Beowulf and General Patton display extraordinary strength and willpower to overcome their obstacles. When the speaker says "my lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet are afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield; my hands alone will fight for me, struggle for life against the monster" (51), it is evident that Beowulf is an independent warrior and wants to rid Herot of Grendel with his bare hands without the assistance of a sword. In the same way, General Patton was selfless when he threw his passenger out to save him instead of injuring them both. Lastly, Beowulf and General Patton display success in their ventures for justice and righteousness. The speaker fantastically declares Beowulf as a hero when he says "Beowulf, a Prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel, ended the grief, the sorrow, the suffering forced on Hrothgar's helpless people by a bloodthirsty fiend" (55). General Patton is also successful; in his battles, he captured 81,000 miles of German territory in more than 10 countries and gave the Sicilian people back their city.
Beowulf and General Patton, although alike in many of their heroic ways, contrast each other in several ways also. First, Beowulf and General Patton were from different areas of the world. Beowulf was from Europe; General Patton was from North America. Second, Beowulf fought with monsters, demons, and beasts of the fictional world. General Patton, on the other hand, battled against German and Japanese soldiers of World War II. Lastly, Beowulf was considered a superhero with superhuman powers and abilities to obliterate his opponents. The speaker states Beowulf was "greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world" (47). General Patton was a regular human that used man-made tanks, artillery, and other weapons to kill his opponents.
In these three ways, Beowulf and General George S. Patton are alike in their heroism and valiant manner of bravery and fearlessness. Their bold courage and extreme selflessness are traits that we should all try to acquire in our lifetimes; they inspire me to venture out in the world and to stand up for what I believe in.
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