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Beowulf


            Beowulf and Lanval; Heroes of their Time.
             There are many differences in Beowulf and Lanval. Most noticeable is the way in which the stories are told. Beowulf has a steady rhythm to it, but it has no rhyme scheme to it. Likewise, Lanval has a very recognizable rhyme and rhythm to it; one which I fully enjoyed. From their differences in poetic forms, the stories are almost night and day to one another. .
             Beowulf is centered on an epic hero. Beowulf is a hero who embodies the ideal characteristics of his culture; these characteristics all come together to make up an epic tale. He possesses the virtues, traits and beliefs that were respected in the culture of his time period. Beowulf displays these virtues in his own actions and words during different circumstances throughout the tale. He faces monsters and beasts and lives an unimaginable life. Beowulf's life is centered on courage, honor, strength and integrity, and honor among warriors, most of whom hang out in the local mead hall and drink alcohol all day.
             On the other hand, Lanval is centered on a hero, but not a hero of Beowulf's kind. Lanval is a knight. His most noticeable characteristic is that he doesn't fight. In fact, a hero of his kind would most probably shy away from someone of Beowulf's stature. Fortunately for the reader, he is in the middle of a love story that is filled with fairies and kings and other knights to make his tale more interesting. Another difference is that in the period in which Lanval speaks, there are active court systems. Instead of hanging around in mead halls, knights of Lanval's day spend their time, when not fighting, being chivalrous within the courts.
             Beowulf overcomes many difficult odds during his lifetime. Beowulf is the type of hero that is supernatural. Beowulf has ordinary human characteristics, as well as superhuman powers. The major difference between him and the other people of his time is his amount of physical power and strength.


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