Essay Comparing Beowulf and The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki

Beowulf and The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki   â There are such a large number of similitudes between the legend of the sonnet Beowulf and The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, an Iceland adventure speaking to 1000 years of oral conventions preceding the 1300’s when it was composed, that these likenesses can't be ascribed exclusively to happenstance.  The Cambridge History of English and American Literature expresses that the legend of the sonnet, Beowulf himself, might be a similar individual as Bodvar Biarki, the head of Hrolfr Kraki’s knights (v1, ch3, s3, n13). George Clark in â€Å"The Hero and the Theme† makes reference to: â€Å"The type of Beowulf taken overall recommends both the ‘Bear’s Son’ folktale type (particularly as we discover it in Scandinavia) and the ‘combat myth’. . . .† (286). In The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, Bodvar is the grandson of a ruler (Hring); in Beowulf the saint is the grandson of a lord (Hrethel). Bodvar’s father has been removed from his nation, Gautland; Beowulf’s father Ecgtheow has been ousted from Geatland. Bodvar’s father is dead; Beowulf’s father is dead (Hrothgar says,†his father, presently dead, was named Ecgtheow†) (373). Bodvar as a kid was solid to the point that he was not allowed to participa te in the king’s games past the age of twelve since he harmed an excessive number of his rivals; Beowulf as a youngster was solid to the point that â€Å"he was the most grounded of all living men† (196). Bodvar was tremendous; Beowulf was â€Å"noble and huge† (198). Bodvar was more respectable than the individuals around him; Beowulf would not acknowledge the majesty from Queen Hygd upon Hygelac’s demise, took a chance with his life different occasions to help others, set his own government assistance last rather than first, and conveyed his riches liberally when it was justified. â€Å"Though Beowulf is mindful so as to gather his rewards, ... ...en and the gentlest, the kindest to his people† (3181).  The Iceland adventure, The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, written in the 1300’s, speaks to around 1000 years of oral customs. The amazing similitudes between this saga’s fundamental character and Beowulf’s primary character are simply too surprising to even think about dismissing as minor happenstances.  Book reference  Chickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A double Language Edition. New York: Anchor Books, 1977.  Clark, Gorge. â€Å"The Hero and the Theme.† In A Beowulf Handbook, altered by Robert Bjork and John D. Niles. Lincoln, Nebraska: Uiversity of Nebraska Press, 1997.  The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, deciphered by Jesse L. Byock. New York: Penguin Books, 1998.  Ward and Trent, et al. The Cambridge History of English and American Literature. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1907â€21; New York: Bartleby.com, 2000