Literature is entertaining and provides valuable lessons on various subjects to the reader. A writer must use different methods to pass their message across to the reader. Some of the time, the idea maybe plain, but possess a hidden meaning to engage the reader’s mind. The methods used by writers in accomplishing this fete are known as literacy devices. There are several literacy devices that play various roles in literature: chiefly among them is the theme of the story. Writers tell a story through the characters and reveal the theme through the events in the story. For instance, a writer may explore the subject of racism centered on his views of interracial marriages. The subject of the story, therefore, sets the stage; however, the issue on the events discussed reveal his base opinion on interracial marriages. The theme therefore advocates for or disputes the essence of the subject in the story.
A theme is always accompanied by various themes in a story: that is to say, for every story, there is a major theme and other minor themes. The major theme expresses how the writer feels about the events described in his work. The minor themes may support or explore other events in the story that give diversity to the story. In Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice for instance, the main theme is revenge: however, there are also minor themes such as love, friendship and greed.
This essay aims to explore the various themes employed by the authors of Odyssey, Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. What were the subjects being discussed in each of the literary pieces? How did the various authors feel about the respective subjects discussed in their works? Are their major and minor themes in the respective works? Do the books share any similarities?
Odyssey is a poem about the popular character, Ulysses. The story is set at a time of the Trojan War. Ulysses is a Greek; show joins up with King Agamemnon to take down the Trojans. Ulysses travels by sea to the shores of the Trojans to engage in war. Their first attempt is marred by heavy casualties. Ulysses takes a lead role and rallies all soldiers to make the famously admired idea of a Trojan horse: with which they successfully infiltrate and annihilate the Trojans. On his way back home however, Odysseus is trapped by the meddling of the various gods who feel aggravated by some of his actions. He and his men encounter a lot of suffering in an effort to get back home. At the same instance, the family back home is also undergoing suffering brought upon them by the greedy suitors who want to wed her wife. He is eventually helped by the goddess Athena to get home: where he executes all the suitors who defiled his home.
Beowulf on the other hand is a poem that speaks highly of a hero during a time of need. In Hrothgar’s kingdom, a monster is tormenting the people. The king and his men are unable to destroy it. Beowulf, who feels indebted to the king for helping his father, comes to the Kingdom to help the King. He decapitates the creature with his bare hands; the creature gets away and dies. The second fete involves the creature’s mother, who captures one of the King’s most trusted advisors. Beowulf explores the creature’s layer alone and defeats the creature with a divine sword present within the layer. Despite discovering great treasures down there, he fulfils his purpose and leaves without taking anything. The third fete is set 50 years later: Beowulf is now a King. A dragon attacks and he gathers his men to defend the people. When the dragon strikes, all his men, save one, flee for their lives leaving the two to engage the dragon in battle alone. The two manage to subdue the dragon and in the process, Beowulf sustains mortal wounds
On the other hand, the story of Ulysses is centered on the subject of war: how is begins, how bloody it gets, and how it never ends. The writer explores the subject of war through the events narrated in the story. Ulysses is shown as a man of honor, therefore when he is called to a war he has not invested in, he summons his men and supports his King. The King started the war to sooth the brother’s broken pride at loosing Hellen. The writer subjects Ulysses to much suffering at the hands of several gods who demand different things from him: pleasure and revenge. He ends up losing all his men on the voyage back home and encounters his battered family at home; emotionally abused by the suitors wooing his wife. He ends up engaging in more slaughter. The writer expresses his displeasure of war through the suffering Ulysses goes through. He also explains why that is when Ulysses comes back home and is forced to slaughter all those who betrayed his family’s peace. The writer feels if King Agamemnon did not instigate war out of selfish reasons, many would not have perished; Ulysses would not have left, the gods would be at peace with him and his family would not have experienced the emotional trauma inflicted by the suitors. The writer provides hope, when Ulysses is shown to return home and takes responsibility for his troubles.
The story of Beowulf explores the concept of heroism and human nature. Beowulf is portrayed as an honorable warrior who respects those who uphold worthy virtues and stands up to anything that might disrupt the peace of the people. In the first fete, he is depicted responsible as he takes on the monster alone: despite coming with 14 of his strongest warriors. In the second fete, the monster mother is weak in comparison and yet still he engages it alone, almost dying in the process. This sets a trend that the writer is deliberately revealing to the reader. In the last instance, 50 years later, he is evidently old: yet again he engages the dragon with help from only one of his men and succumbs to his death. The writer reveals the path of heroism as a lonely path that requires a lot of sacrifice and effort. Beowulf engages al the monster alone, he does not take wealth for himself: as evidenced by him giving the gifts for defeating the first monster to his King. In the second instance, leaves the monster’s den without a single treasure.
The three stories explore the subject of conflict and war. The writer of Odyssey believes war only causes suffering, death yet it can be avoided earlier enough. He also believes that wars, once instigated, tend to spread and perpetuate without a resolution in sight. Beowulf writer however believes that any entity responsible for instigating war should be faced head on and stopped. He however shows that this path, if taken alone, can be very lonely but there is hope yet: evidenced by one of his men helping him in the last fight. Sir Gawain’s story seeks to address the character of the guardians who train all their lives to mitigate war. They all seem to subscribe to a set code of conduct; however, one must not confuse blind loyalty and bravery as being honest with oneself.
Works Cited
D'Arms, Edward F., and Karl K. Hulley. "The Oresteia-story in the Odyssey." Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association (1946): 207-213.
eNotes. Beowulf Themes. n.d. 16 April 2016. <http://www.enotes.com/topics/beowulf/themes>.
Spark Notes. SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT. n.d. 16 April 2016. <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gawain/summary.html>.
