Compare/contrast Beowulf, Rolande, and Hamlet as Christian heroes - Essay Example

Beowulf, Roland, and Hamlet as Christians Hamlet, the prince of Denmark is the protagonist bearing the same who murdered his uncle to avenge his father’s death. What makes this play very intricate is that Hamlet’s character deals with strong emotions such as overwhelming grief from the loss of his father; to seething rage to avenge his father’s death that drove him to kill his own uncle. It also interplays with issues of vengeance, incest—Hamlet marrying his mother, and morality or lack of it.

Hamlet just like any other Christian, particularly during the time of religious upheaval where this play is set, struggles not only with his beliefs pertaining to religious doctrines but struggles internally with his own faith. For instance, there is the Catholic doctrine of a strong sense of duty to God and family; on the other hand there is a Protestant doctrine that vengeance is the Lord’s and as humans we must learn how to forgive. Unlike Hamlet, Beowulf has more of the characteristics of a good Christian.

Beowulf is a young warrior who, upon hearing that there is a monster terrorizing other shores, would readily go with his men and aids other king. He is a brave young man who believes that it is his duty to help others who are in need since he has the ability and power to help.He is a good leader, an honest and respectful man, a brave soldier, fierce and fair in battle. He cares about the people and would readily lay his life for others. I think that of all of the characteristics of Beowulf, risking his own life to save others is very Christ-like.

He left his home country; ask permission from his king to help Hearot fight Grendel and Grendel’s mother. Even seeing that Grendel does not have any weapon of his own; he refuse to use any weapon as well since this would give him an unfair advantage. And then, when he returned to his country and became king of his people, he took the responsibility that as king he should take care of his people to heart. When a servant’s steal a cup from a dragon’s lair, he did not punish the servant; rather, he took it as his burden to fight the dragon in behalf of his people that caused him his life—the ultimate sacrifice.

Roland would not be Roland—so to speak without his sword Durendal, his horn Oliphaunt, and his horse Veillantif. Unlike Beowulf that still has pagan historical roots as is manifested on the historical context of its story; and that of Hamlet which is filled with doctrinal clashes between Catholic and Protestant beliefs, Roland’s story as depicted in the Song of Roland, recounts the tail of a noble Christian who fought valiantly against the Muslim Moors. His was a story of fighting for belief, and dying on the sword because of his belief.

Roland, among the three is the character that is most comparable to other Christian heroes—he fought for what he believed, he conquered and bled for spreading the gospel, and ultimately, he died defending his belief. Of the three, I would say that Roland was the true Christian hero.