The Mythical Narratives of Beowulf and Siddharta, Essay Example

The epic poem of Old English origin, Beowulf, and Herman Hesse’s 1922 novel Siddharta, although separated by a gulf of time, never bear the characteristics of mythic narrative. Obviously, one of the reasons for the key affinity between the two is the subject matter of Hesse’s work, which entails the life of Siddharta, whose existence is characterized by motifs of Hindu and Buddhist enlightenment, an existence that leads him to go on a journey of discovery, is mirrored in the structure of Beowulf. That is to say that in the latter work a similar motif takes place: the king Beowulf journeys to aid a companion, the king of Danes, whose kingdom is threatened by enemies. Yet differences can be drawn between the two works, insofar as Siddharta’s journey is one tempted by spiritual enlightenment, whereas Beowful’s works are more concerned with political motives of alliance and friendship in vanquishing enemies. Hence, Siddharta’s existential crisis that leads to his journey is explained as follows: “Siddharta had started to nurse discontent in himself, he had started to feel that the love of his father and the love of his mother, and also the love of his friend, Govinda, would not bring him joy for ever and ever.” (11) Hence, Siddharta’s journey is related to a transcendent experience and the breaking of ties with the world. In contrast, Beowulf’s journey involves aiding a comrade. Hence, Beowulf commits himself to assisting Hrothgar: “They are met on the shore by the land…and the stead of Hrothgar, who receives them gladly, and to whom Beowulf tells his errand, that he will help him against Grendel.” (4) The significance of the journeys thus differ: the attempt to break free from relationships in the case of Siddharta, and the attempt to remain loyal to relationships in the case of Beowulf. The tales thus teach two different morals. In Siddharta’s journey, the story teaches to the culture that we must be wary of thinking that this reality and the relationships that constitute to it are the only reality. In Beowulf’s journey, the key point is arguably that we must remain faithful to these relationships and help others in need. These two morals tie in to two great human questions: where is the true reality? Is it in our everyday relationships or is there something greater? At the same time, small questions are introduced in these big questions, namely, how we should deal with those with whom we interact on a daily basis.

It is possible to extrapolate these points into a greater cultural claim that addresses the particular cultures of India in the case of Siddharta and Western Europe in the case of Beowulf. In the latter there appears to be more an emphasis on worldly accomplishments and the maintenance of power and relationships. Namely, we must fight to maintain our standing in this world, and this reflects the cultural values of Western Europe. In contrast, Siddharta shows that Indian culture is more sacred in its essence. In this story, worldly ties do not define our human action. Rather, the purpose of life is to break from these relationships and seek Enlightenment.

Both of these contrasting views show how narratives structure religious views. The paganism of Beowulf tends to make nature divine, which means that this world is the only world. The pagan and Norse gods of Beowulf demonstrate that we are all involved in nature and this is the only reality: we must struggle within this particular plane of existence. In contrast, Siddharta reveals Hindu and Buddhist narratives as concerned with an ultimate reality. This ultimate reality can only be seen by denying the primacy of our everyday world.

Such an account seems to justify some of the views of Joseph Campbell on myth. Following Campbell’s viewpoint, both stories are not mere psychological traumas, but show the basic archetypes or symbol which a culture take to be representative of the highest value. The fact that the cultures in which Beowulf and Siddharta emerged can identify with these stories show that there is some type of common value system that is expressed in the conflicts of these stories. Namely, following Campbell’s vision, both Siddharta and Beowulf present us looks into two different worldviews: by seeing the world through these respective worldviews we can understand how mythical narrative explained reality for these two cultures.

Works Cited

Author Unkown. Beowulf. Accessed at: http://www.thelowestroom.com/Documents/beowulf.pdf

Hesse, Hermann. Siddhartha: An Indian Tale. San Francisco: The Internet Archive.