Similarities Between Beowulf And Sundiata

In this argumentative essay, it consists of three texts: Beowulf, The Saga of the Volsungs, and Sundiata. Each of these epics involve characters who fight or become monsters (or half-monsters). However, one of the epics show most successful in incorporating the monsters to deliver its central theme. Monsters are motifs that can help develop the text's major themes. It usually symbolizes a dangerous presence in a community and are destructive or harmful to people in the society. It is successful to know that the monsters in these epics lead to their central themes effectively when it is based on character development, the heroic code, and other values that contribute to being a good ruler. The text that is most successful in using monsters to inform their theme most successfully is Beowulf rather than Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Sundiata. The …show more content…
He's a supernatural being who assists other characters using his magic and powers to take revenge. His character doesn't involve character development throughout the epic as he either assists or curses other characters. Another example is when Odin takes revenge on Brynhild. The text states that, "In need not, however, follow that the episode of Sigurd's awakening a maiden from an enchanted sleep is itself purely Scandinavian, since it could exist independently of any link with Gunnar-Gunther's wife. The name of the valkyrie punished by Odin may not, in fact have been originally Brynhild" (Byock 23). In this event, Odin curses Brynhild to never win another battle as vengeance for killing Hjalmgunnar. He does this by using a sleeping thorn that begins to enchant the victim to sleep and who becomes cursed. This shows that the monster, Odin, can possibly deliver the theme of vengeance but his supernatural abilities are for his own use and advantage against other