Nelson Mandela And Beowulf Comparison Essay

When describing Nelson Mandela, President Barack Obama said in one of his speeches, “I think he’s a hero for the world. And if and when he passes from this place, one thing I think we’ll all know is that his legacy is one that will linger on throughout the ages.” Mandela, at the time, was South Africa’s first elected president and a racial rights activist who was greatly admired. Obama’s description in his speech sounds almost exactly like that of Beowulf, a hero of the great epic of the same name. He was known for his legacies that had been heard across Scandinavia during the Anglo-Saxon period and around the world to this day, similarly to Mandela. Although Mandela and Beowulf’s heroisms and ideologies were culturally different, their leadership and bravery are what makes them almost indistinguishable. Mandela’s and Beowulf’s characteristics are very similar. During their early and later adulthood times, they earned important leadership positions and led a vast number of followers. As Grendel, one of Beowulf’s monstrous enemies, came to the land Beowulf was protecting, Beowulf led his men and “killed Grendel”, “tearing at [his] hands” and snapping “his shoulder” (Beowulf lines 813-830). Beowulf’s great leadership gave his men courage to help set up the trap and carry on with the plan even though they knew their lives

Beowulf achieved deeds that did in fact help the people around him. Mandela, however, was more real than Beowulf ever was and brought about a permanent and, therefore, greater change. He accomplished realistic goals that can be looked upon as an example for gaining justice everywhere, but Beowulf accomplished goals that are not as universal or helpful to the people of today. With this statement, it is pretty clear that Mandela’s work is far more suitable. Beowulf’s battle strategies do not work with the people past his