Beowulf And Roland Similarities

Beowulf and Roland were two men that lead very different lives. One was a man who was perceived as a hero from the start of his story. The other was a man who was notably egotistical and did not redeem himself until his last moments alive. Though these two men seem have no common ground they are connected in their similarities to Christ and man.
Though Roland did not show heroic tendencies throughout his life he died a hero. When Roland and the rest of the rear guard were attacked Roland was advised to alert the whole battalion. In his arrogance Roland refused and tied to defeat the attackers. Greatly outnumbered the rear guard fell and Roland was all that remained. He blew the horn to alert the army of the attack. The act of him blowing …show more content…
The first of his many acts of heroism was when he voluntarily went to Hrothgar’s kingdom to slay Grendel, a fierce dragon. Though some doubted Beowulf he defeated the dragon in a gruesome fight. Another show of his gallantry behavior was when Beowulf set out to kill Grendel’s mother who had attacked Heorot in an act of grief. Beowulf goes to her lair that is located in the depths of a large swamp. In yet another gruesome battle Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother. His last act of heroism is when he fights another dragon that had started terrorizing his own land and his people. Going to the cavern where this dragon lives he fights him head on with only a sword and a specially crafted shield. Beowulf tried to fight the mighty beast, but when his sword breaks he is bitten in the neck by the dragon. Wiglaf, one of Beowulf’s companions, comes to his aid and gives Beowulf a chance to stab the creature in its side. In his final moments Beowulf tells Wiglaf to give the gold that was hidden to his people and thanks the lord for such a gift.
One can clearly see that Beowulf and Roland were both heroes in the end of their lives. If one were to examine both stories with a sharp eye one could see the resemblance between Christ and Beowulf and man and Roland. Beowulf is righteous in all of his actions and was presented many challenges that he overcame with confidence much like Christ. Roland was not humble in any of his actions except his last and was not redeemed until his final moments much like man. Since Roland resembles man in such a way many relate to him more so than they do