Hamlet and Beowulf Essay

There are many differences between Hamlet and Beowulf. Some people may say physical strength is the main difference, but their uses of language stick out as the major difference to me. Hamlet tends to talk to himself rather than other people. He just goes over things in his head again and again and then recites them in a ridiculous speech. He thinks about both the good and bad sides of his actions. Beowulf doesn't think through his actions or his thoughts out loud. He just tells us what he is going to do without any delay. He doesn’t debate on what to do he just goes out and does it.

                                              

Hamlet uses language mainly to think about, well just about everything, out loud.  Hamlet overhears himself giving him a better understanding of his own thoughts. He has a little debate with himself as if he has multiple personalities talking to one another. I think of him as a walking panic attack. "To sleep--perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause." This is an example of self overhearing. Hamlet uses this tool to gain a deeper understanding of how he is thinking. This information also helps us readers understand Hamlet better because we get to take a trip into his (extremely) active mind. 

On the other hand, Beowulf uses his language to tell us what he is going to do. He describes his plans briefly, but doesn't use his language to talk things through. "This fiend is a bold and famous fighter, but his claws and teeth... beating at my sword blade, would be helpless. I will meet him with my hands empty--unless his heart fails him, seeing a soldier waiting weaponless, unafraid. Let God in His wisdom extend His hand where He wills, reward whom he chooses!" Unlike Hamlet, Beowulf uses his language for the benefit of others rather then his own. He uses his words to motivate others and encourage them. Beowulf is also very wise and inspirational with his words "Often, for undaunted courage fate spares the man it has not already marked." Hamlet would just use words to beat him self up or debate about his own thoughts.
 

Hamlet and Beowulf are characters that use language in very different ways.  Hamlet uses language to deeply think things through and analyze them. Beowulf uses language to encourage others and state his plan without hesitation or fear. Language is the reason that two heroically similar characters are so drastically different.