Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Martin Luther King

The defeat of man does not signify the end of a legacy. The qualities of Beowulf and Martin Luther King Jr. differ in how they achieve their goals, but parallel in their intrinsic value of strength and persistence. King’s pursuit lead to the increasing equality of minorities in the United States, while Beowulf slaughters the bane of evil: both ruling (literally and figuratively) as kings. Through the defeat of Grendel and Grendel’s mother, the author of Beowulf shows the unlimited courage the protagonist contains through the rhetoric of imagery and symbolism.
Beowulf exemplifies his strength through the defeat of Grendel. The use of imagery is presented when Beowulf creates the picture as an undefeated soldier who cannot ever lose. From the example when Unferth was emanating his jealousy, “That any man…should attain to,\ Gain under heaven, more glory than he.” This is seen when Beowulf boasts to Hrothgar to accept his mission. Beowulf pushes his image as a glorious soldier with the capabilities of a superhuman. Beowulf boasts when he states, “Of earls to be honored…\ Who headed the heroes hitherward coming.” Beowulf places pride in his actions when Unferth doubts his abilities. …show more content…
The use of symbolism shows the division between Beowulf and Grendel. The description is quoted from, “’Neath the cloudy cliffs came from the moor then.” This is seen with the use of Grendel’s cave as it shows the separation from natural society as Grendel is an outcast who lives in a dark and treacherous cave compared to the magnificent Beowulf. Beowulf is accepted as a Hero to Hrathgar when Beowulf successfully completes his dangerous mission. The sword is given stated from, “To the age-hoary man then, \ The gray-haired chieftain, the gold-fashioned sword-hilt,” which shows the use of symbolism when Hrothgar gives Beowulf his sword as it is an object of heroism and victory from Hrathgar