If a literary counterpart to Guernica exists, it is Erich Maria Remarque’s novel All Quiet on the Western Front, it portrays the toll of human suffering in World War I, a conflict that ushered in modern weapons of mass destruction, such as tanks and poison gas. However, many tales focus on the glory of the war, such as the epic Beowulf, rather than the devastation. With the help of luck, both Paul and Beowulf conquer opponents that mirror themselves. Despite similar victories, only Beowulf is rewarded.
Both Paul and Beowulf defeat their opponents despite impossible odds. Beowulf uses luck and strength. Paul only uses luck against the French soldier. Beowulf defeats the She-wolf. Paul defeats an enemy Frenchman in World War I’s no man's land. After the She-wolf struck Heorot, Beowulf took on the task of slaying her. As the battles Grendel's mother, Beowulf is captured. Just as he is almost killed, he spies a mighty sword made by Giants. The sword is “so huge and heavy of itself/only Beowulf could wield it in battle” (Beowulf 1561-1562). Only a superhuman can use the sword. Fortunately, Beowulf has the strength of 60 men. Without such luck and strength, he would not have survived. Paul also successfully kills his enemy, providing a first-hand account of the horrors of war. By being the first one in the trench, Paul catches the Frenchman off guard and delivers the deciding blow. Describing the …show more content…
The protagonists of both works fight enemies that echo themselves. Both use luck to win. However, while Beowulf receives prestige, remorse cripples Paul. When compared to Beowulf’s idealism, Paul’s experiences provide a more harrowing approach to combat. Neither perspective can be ignored. War can be a triumph to victors, but leaves survivors traumatized. There is a duality as no combat is entirely abominable nor completely
Both Paul and Beowulf defeat their opponents despite impossible odds. Beowulf uses luck and strength. Paul only uses luck against the French soldier. Beowulf defeats the She-wolf. Paul defeats an enemy Frenchman in World War I’s no man's land. After the She-wolf struck Heorot, Beowulf took on the task of slaying her. As the battles Grendel's mother, Beowulf is captured. Just as he is almost killed, he spies a mighty sword made by Giants. The sword is “so huge and heavy of itself/only Beowulf could wield it in battle” (Beowulf 1561-1562). Only a superhuman can use the sword. Fortunately, Beowulf has the strength of 60 men. Without such luck and strength, he would not have survived. Paul also successfully kills his enemy, providing a first-hand account of the horrors of war. By being the first one in the trench, Paul catches the Frenchman off guard and delivers the deciding blow. Describing the …show more content…
The protagonists of both works fight enemies that echo themselves. Both use luck to win. However, while Beowulf receives prestige, remorse cripples Paul. When compared to Beowulf’s idealism, Paul’s experiences provide a more harrowing approach to combat. Neither perspective can be ignored. War can be a triumph to victors, but leaves survivors traumatized. There is a duality as no combat is entirely abominable nor completely