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The Modern Hero

Beowulf and the Inferno are history’s epic poems that are most influential and conical in

nature. The two are archetypical texts that have attracted literary appreciations from a wide range

of audiences and readers. While Beowulf has recognition as a critical piece of literature during

the Anglo-Saxon period and Inferno is highly recognizable owing to its various adaptations in

both references and films in literary history. The main point of controversy is the fact that

although these two are one of the most influential pieces of literature, there is no particular point

where they get mentioned side by side. This makes it necessary to take an essential examination

and comparison of the two articles. However, having read the two pieces of literature, I have

developed more interest in Dante’s Inferno. The Inferno gives a complete glimpse into the

afterlife where what people do in their current lives get checked afterward.

The principle that is widely spread within the Inferno tends to teach the people that

whatever actions and steps they take today, have direct bearings to their future lives. Outrightly,

the word inferno is an Italian word for Hell. The text talks about the fate of those in hell. “But to

that second circle of sad hell… about that melancholy storm (Alighieri et al., 2015, p. 37).”

Dante talks of the sadness he had witnessed at first hand in hell. The people there have their

punishments in accordance with the magnitude of their sins while they were still alive. This is to

say that the sins have varied scales about Dante’s article. However, the portrayal that Beowulf

has in the article is that of a warrior who seems to be flourishing in the decimation of all those

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who happen to cross his path. This makes him a bloodthirsty warrior thus denting his character

compared to that of Dante in Inferno.

The Inferno explores the fact that most people might have done a lot of misdeeds in their

mortal life and gotten away scot-free. The text mentions that these same people will meet their

punishments in hell in the afterlife when their human lives cease to exist. In comparing the

protagonists behind the two texts, Beowulf happens to be more vicious whereas Dante who’s

textual context is majorly on natural occurrences and how they take control of the nature in

which the lives of people wind up later. “Themselves they beheld me when I came from the

contest… (Alexander, 2013 p. 45).” Beowulf brags about how he had recognition in the highest

of extremes on the battlefield. Seemingly, all that he ever seems to think of is war, liberation, and

victory. The heroism thrives so deep in him that it takes absolute control over him. On the other

hand, Dante concentrates on explaining the fact that no sin goes unpunished. Notably, Dante

appreciates knowledge while what Beowulf cares about is going around slaying monsters. This is

one of the major points of distinction between them.

The endowments that both characters have help them to play their parts in their respective

texts. Dante’s intelligence helps him to find his path through hell while Beowulf’s ferocity and

strength pave the way for him to defeat all the monsters that he encounters in his struggle. This

gives Beowulf the name, “the head of a hero.” “I went on in the hope that somehow I could

vanquish the beast. but then my terror came again, for next, a lion bounded up, enraged and

starved (Alighieri et al., 2015, p. 43).” The textual context that Dante is a partial coward makes

him a weak character as opposed to Beowulf. However, his ability to thirst for knowledge gives

him the ideal qualities and characteristics that a “super-hero” ought to have, and this makes him

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the typical super-hero of all time. He makes up for his lack of physical strength through his

intellect and wit. He uses his wit in hell to defeat monsters that are seemingly out to take his life.

In both Dante’s Inferno and Beowulf, the influence and dominion of the church are

evident. “From Cain came down all kinds of misbegotten-ogres and elves and evils shades. As

also the Giants. Who joined in long wars with God (Alighieri et al., 2015, p. 34).” However, this

text from Beowulf totally contradicts the Biblical concept of God’s descendants. The text

mentions elves, ogres, and shades as being the descendants of God just as Cain had been which

is incorrect. The text is incongruous to the Biblical perception and both the Norwegian fate and

mythology. “They could not, that is, choose Christ; they could, and did, choose human virtue,

and for that, they have their reward (Alighieri et al., 2015, p. 24).” This is not the same with

Dante’s Inferno as evident in the text. Inferno may have had the discrepancies that are shown in

Beowulf but then it not as obtrusive as it is in Beowulf. The Inferno only mentions the Greek

mythological characters. The Inferno heavily lays respect for Christian values, principles, and

beliefs. This is the reason the original context of the text is on the punishment that awaits the

wrong doers in hell.

In term of the content, the text in Beowulf strives to prove the fact that the hero should be

the one regarded in the society and not the villain. In the contemporary society and movie world,

most people become fans of people engaging in vices making them the villain the movie whereas

Beowulf tries to overturn this by being a different hero to the people. On the other hand, in the

Inferno Dante plays his role perfectly even though some the initial perception is that he is a weak

knead. For one to gain the general admiration that would help the people in times of crisis, they

need a hero who can maneuver through his brain and come up with the best saving plan. This is

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the kind of a hero that one needs to admire. Knowledge is commonly known to be more potent

compared to physical might.

Regarding Christian contextual comparison, Dante’s Inferno holds more weight since it

entirely corresponds to the Catholic Church Doctrine. A protagonist’s character has to be in line

with the religious ways of the people for him to be a Christian hero. The characters that are

required of them by the Bible and those they portray have to merge in that they don’t differ in

any kind of manner. This is the same character that Dante portrays in the Inferno. "Sinful ones,

who take the things of God. The things that ought to be the right things of Righteousness and

make them sin for silver and gold! The time has come to lay judgment (Alighieri et al., 2015, p.

75).” In the text, Dante boldly condemns the sins that are taking control of the people to the

extent that they do not have respect for what rightfully belongs to God through the church. This

is the character that a Christian hero ought to have as it inspires other to change their evil ways.

Conclusively, Dante has the characters that befit both a Christian and modern heroes.

This is because the modern heroes fight for what they believe is right not only for them but

everyone. Dante was selfless in his quests while Beowulf struggled to gain worldly fame since he

was known to be a mighty fighter. This ultimately makes Dante a better modern and Christian

leader.

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Works Cited

Alexander, Michael. Beowulf: Legends from the Ancient North. London: Penguin Classics, 2013.

Print.

Alighieri, Dante, and John Lotherington. The Inferno. New York: Race Point Publishing, 2015.

Web.

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