If a literary counterpart to Guernica exists, it is Erich Maria Remarque’s novel All Quiet on the Western Front, it portrays the toll of human suffering in World War I, a conflict that ushered in modern weapons of mass destruction, such as tanks and poison gas. However, many tales focus on the glory of the war, such as the epic Beowulf, rather than the devastation. With the help of luck, both Paul and Beowulf conquer opponents that mirror themselves. Despite similar victories, only Beowulf is rewarded.
Both Paul and Beowulf defeat their opponents despite impossible odds. Beowulf uses luck and strength. Paul only uses luck against the French soldier. Beowulf defeats the She-wolf. Paul defeats an enemy Frenchman in World War I’s no man's land. After the She-wolf struck Heorot, Beowulf took on the task of slaying her. As the battles Grendel's mother, Beowulf is captured. Just as he is almost killed, he spies a mighty sword made by Giants. The sword is “so huge and heavy of itself/only Beowulf could wield it in battle” (Beowulf 1561-1562). Only a superhuman can use the sword. Fortunately, Beowulf has the strength of 60 men. Without such luck and strength, he would not have survived. Paul also successfully kills his enemy, providing a first-hand account of the horrors of war. By being the first one in the trench, Paul catches the Frenchman off guard and delivers the deciding blow. Describing the attack, Paul states, “I do not think at all, I make no decision - I strike madly at home, and feel only how the body suddenly convulses, then becomes limp, and collapses” (Remarque 216). Paul strikes without thinking. He survives because he is lucky enough to arrive before his opponent. In Beowulf, the author embellishes the epic by having his hero use both skills and fortune to win. The grim truth portrayed in All Quiet on the Western Front is that success is determined solely by luck. In the Mere, Beowulf faces an opponent described as vastly different from himself, yet their actions are motivated by the same thought, revenge. This similarity is also present in Paul's fight with the Frenchman. For example, Beowulf searches for the She-wolf to avenge Aeschere, Hrothgar’s thane. Grendel's mother attacks Heorot to avenge her fallen son. The similarities between Beowulf and the She-wolf are never noted in the poem. Pointing them out would blur the deliberate roles that Beowulf and Grendel's mother play. The battle is simplified into a confrontation between the hero and the villain. A plot that enchants the reader with a glorified version of war. Another similarity between Beowulf and Grendel's mother is use of heads as trophies. Grendel's mother leaves Aeschere’s head before the entrance of the mere. After defeating the She-wolf, Beowulf decapitates Grendel's corpse. The mutilation of Grendel's corpse is used to show his inhuman strength, as it “was a task of four/to hoist Grendel’s head on a spear...” (Beowulf 1638-1639). Beowulf disrespects the dead, but receives only praise and glory for his actions. War is glorified by commending gruesome acts, like parading heads on spikes. After Paul mortally wounds the Frenchman, he finds himself rifling through the man's possessions. Paul discovers that, like himself, the Frenchman is just a man. He even says “Why do they never tell us that you are poor devils like us...” (Remarque 223). By pointing out the affinity between Paul and the Frenchman, the reader is given a realistic portrayal of war. The only difference between enemies of war is the commander. Although Beowulf does not explicitly point out similarities, the heroes of both works resemble their antagonists. Beowulf is rewarded after his return while Paul suffers mental trauma and remorse. Paul receives no satisfaction and is compelled to take responsibility. Conversely, King Hrothgar rewards Beowulf with treasure and says, “With pride and pleasure/move to the feast. To-morrow …show more content…
The protagonists of both works fight enemies that echo themselves. Both use luck to win. However, while Beowulf receives prestige, remorse cripples Paul. When compared to Beowulf’s idealism, Paul’s experiences provide a more harrowing approach to combat. Neither perspective can be ignored. War can be a triumph to victors, but leaves survivors traumatized. There is a duality as no combat is entirely abominable nor completely
Both Paul and Beowulf defeat their opponents despite impossible odds. Beowulf uses luck and strength. Paul only uses luck against the French soldier. Beowulf defeats the She-wolf. Paul defeats an enemy Frenchman in World War I’s no man's land. After the She-wolf struck Heorot, Beowulf took on the task of slaying her. As the battles Grendel's mother, Beowulf is captured. Just as he is almost killed, he spies a mighty sword made by Giants. The sword is “so huge and heavy of itself/only Beowulf could wield it in battle” (Beowulf 1561-1562). Only a superhuman can use the sword. Fortunately, Beowulf has the strength of 60 men. Without such luck and strength, he would not have survived. Paul also successfully kills his enemy, providing a first-hand account of the horrors of war. By being the first one in the trench, Paul catches the Frenchman off guard and delivers the deciding blow. Describing the attack, Paul states, “I do not think at all, I make no decision - I strike madly at home, and feel only how the body suddenly convulses, then becomes limp, and collapses” (Remarque 216). Paul strikes without thinking. He survives because he is lucky enough to arrive before his opponent. In Beowulf, the author embellishes the epic by having his hero use both skills and fortune to win. The grim truth portrayed in All Quiet on the Western Front is that success is determined solely by luck. In the Mere, Beowulf faces an opponent described as vastly different from himself, yet their actions are motivated by the same thought, revenge. This similarity is also present in Paul's fight with the Frenchman. For example, Beowulf searches for the She-wolf to avenge Aeschere, Hrothgar’s thane. Grendel's mother attacks Heorot to avenge her fallen son. The similarities between Beowulf and the She-wolf are never noted in the poem. Pointing them out would blur the deliberate roles that Beowulf and Grendel's mother play. The battle is simplified into a confrontation between the hero and the villain. A plot that enchants the reader with a glorified version of war. Another similarity between Beowulf and Grendel's mother is use of heads as trophies. Grendel's mother leaves Aeschere’s head before the entrance of the mere. After defeating the She-wolf, Beowulf decapitates Grendel's corpse. The mutilation of Grendel's corpse is used to show his inhuman strength, as it “was a task of four/to hoist Grendel’s head on a spear...” (Beowulf 1638-1639). Beowulf disrespects the dead, but receives only praise and glory for his actions. War is glorified by commending gruesome acts, like parading heads on spikes. After Paul mortally wounds the Frenchman, he finds himself rifling through the man's possessions. Paul discovers that, like himself, the Frenchman is just a man. He even says “Why do they never tell us that you are poor devils like us...” (Remarque 223). By pointing out the affinity between Paul and the Frenchman, the reader is given a realistic portrayal of war. The only difference between enemies of war is the commander. Although Beowulf does not explicitly point out similarities, the heroes of both works resemble their antagonists. Beowulf is rewarded after his return while Paul suffers mental trauma and remorse. Paul receives no satisfaction and is compelled to take responsibility. Conversely, King Hrothgar rewards Beowulf with treasure and says, “With pride and pleasure/move to the feast. To-morrow …show more content…
The protagonists of both works fight enemies that echo themselves. Both use luck to win. However, while Beowulf receives prestige, remorse cripples Paul. When compared to Beowulf’s idealism, Paul’s experiences provide a more harrowing approach to combat. Neither perspective can be ignored. War can be a triumph to victors, but leaves survivors traumatized. There is a duality as no combat is entirely abominable nor completely