Beowulf and The Tale of the Heike: comparative analysis

Beowulf & the Tale

Comparing and contrasting 'the ideal hero' in "Beowulf and "The Tale of the Heike"

Both "Beowulf" and "The Tale of the Heike" relate military narratives of bloody, bitter conflicts in war-torn societies where human civilization is fragile and savage threats are common. Men and women must band together, just to survive. The heroic individuals that triumph in these early sagas of early Scandinavian and feudal Japan define the values of their early societies by the ethics and character they show during trying times. "Beowulf's" triumphs are physical, like his triumph over Grendel, as well as spiritual, and the warriors of "The Tale of the Heike," even when defeated win moral victories over their enemies because of the superior loyalty they show to their lord and to the emperor.

The stories of both epic tales were composed by anonymous authors, probably 'assembled' piecemeal over a long period time, and were likely first meant to be spoken or sung, not read after being written on the page. Their evolving, multifaceted composition is also reflected in the complex philosophical orientation and the religious values of their heroes. "Beowulf" incorporates pagan and folk religion with references to Christianity, while "Heike" shows a mix of Buddhist traditions, as well as worshipful references to the emperor. Loving loyalty to the king by his thanes in "Beowulf," and loyalty to the emperor or lord in "The Tale of the Heike" is given a religious as well as a political significance.

However, despite this similar emphasis on loyalty, the way that this value is celebrated is very different in the two epics. The Danish hero Beowulf is demonstrates his prowess through individual struggle and excellence. The good warriors of the "The Tale of the Heike" collectively show their greatness through their loyalty to their lord, and a single, solitary hero does not dominate the saga alone. The character-driven narrative of "Beowulf" demonstrates the more individualistic tendencies of heroes even in early Western, Anglo-Saxon culture. "The Tale of the Heike" narrates the struggle of a number of individuals and shows the more collective ethos of heroism Japanese culture.

Beowulf's most famous victory is his triumphant win over Grendel, a vicious beast that has been terrorizing another kingdom. Beowulf shows his greatness as a hero because he risks his own life for others in a strange land, of course only after he obtains his own king's permission. Beowulf puts himself in harm's way for the good of other people. His struggle is waged alone. Alone, the great hero waits in the hall for Grendel to terrorize the thanes, as the monster does every night. Beowulf wins his victory over the monster alone. Beowulf's heroic struggle is always that of a fundamentally lonely man and leader, although he is commemorated by the other thanes after he dies. His good deeds benefit all people, even people in other kingdoms, but they do not necessarily help Beowulf himself feel less isolated.

In contrast, the "The Tale of the Heike" is a collective saga of heroic struggle, not a tale defined by a heroic individual. The story is based on the real-life events of Japanese history during the Gempei Wars (1181-1185). It is a struggle, not based not just in myth and legend but that has its origins in a real conflict between two alliances of clans, the Minamoto vs. The Taira. The stories are episodic in nature, present many different tales of heroes from each side of the conflict, and are often as fantastic as the tales of "Beowulf." "Heike" begins with "the first serious resistance to the tyranny of the Taira family" begun by the Prince Mochihito (McKee, 2001). Although the rebellion he leads is crushed it inspires the resistance of other heroes later on Unlike the saga of "Beowulf," suicide in the face of dishonor is seen as an honorable, and the prince falls on his sword when he fails. A hero's failure in the face of adversity is more common in the Japanese struggle, perhaps because the author had to make the narrative conform to history, at least in some of its elements. Also, rather than show how the good works of the hero support all good people, even people who are not immediate members of Beowulf's kingdom, "Heike" is a military struggle of 'us vs. them' although the narrator shows heroism on both sides, even while the authors clearly favor the older, aristocratic side of the Minamoto. Heroes show loyalty to their lords, they do not work to do great deeds for all of humanity like "Beowulf"

The Tale of Heike" does contain tales of heroes overcoming supernatural monsters, like "Beowulf." After taking his own life the dead prince is eulogized by his slaying of "the Nue, a supernatural flying creature who had been nightly harassing the emperor" (McKee, 2001). This action against a beast is not great primarily because it frees the land of a tyrannical creature, but because of the loyalty this shows Prince Mochitito feels towards the emperor. "The Tale of the Heike' is a one of a genre of gunki monogatari (military tales) and has played a significant role in shaping military ethics and values: personal loyalty to one's lord; negation of the self; self-sacrifice unto death; an austere and simple life; control of the appetites and emotions; an honorable death. Loyalty to one's lord superseded all other loyalties, even to one's family and children whose lives, in extreme situations, could be sacrificed to protect the life of one's lord" (Sensei, 2000).

This is not to deny the significance of collective obligations in "Beowulf." After all, while "the main theme of Beowulf is heroism," and the heroism of the central character, his heroism "involves far more than physical courage. It also means that the warrior must fulfill his obligations to the group of which he is a key member...There is a clear-cut network of social duties depicted in the poem. The king has an obligation to behave with generosity. He must reward his thanes with valuable gifts for their defense of the tribe and their success in battle," in exchange for their loyalty ("Beowulf," Novel Analysis).