Isolation In Hamlet, Grendel, And Beow

Despite being completely different passages, Hamlet, Grendel, and Beowulf, all have one theme: isolation affects one’s view on life and death. The authors incorporate conflict relating to the characters’ relationships, or lack thereof, in their work. Hamlet and Grendel tend to self-isolate and have more of a doom mindset about death. Meanwhile, Beowulf is surrounded by people who love and appreciate him, allowing him to be okay with dying. The acceptance of death or the fear of death is a result of the characters’ self-satisfaction. All three works of literature center around the idea that aloneness is a massive factor in someone’s outlook on life and death. Hamlet welcomes but fears death, Grendel’s solitude leads to hatred, and Beowulf can

Hamlet pushing away others causes his descent into madness. As he slowly loses his sanity, the idea of death looks more and more appealing. Shakespeare shows this idea through Hamlet’s soliloquy: “To be, or not to be: that is the question” (Shakespeare, line 57). The fact that Shakespeare used a soliloquy in this scene shows how much Hamlet’s solitude has affected how he views his life. His thoughts of suicide race as he finds himself alone, separating himself from the betrayal in his family. Later in the play, Hamlet finds death again and states, “Alas, poor Yorick!... my gorge rises at it” (Shakespeare, lines 169-173). Hamlet is frightened by the decayed bones of the jester whom he loved as a child. The reader can assume that Hamlet’s family doesn’t experience grief. Instead, they suppress their emotions, then feel more alone and hollow. The emptiness and lack of support cause Hamlet to be more cynical about living and not have much closure about

Meanwhile, Hamlet and Grendel’s lack of interactions with others leaves them to grow bitter and contemplate death less positively. Beowulf’s maturity and acceptance of death are displayed when he says, “Wise sir, do not grieve… When a warrior is gone, that will be his best and only bulwark” (Heaney, l384-1389). Additionally, his mindset allows him to battle evil without the fear of death, making him even more powerful. Once the time for Beowulf’s battle with the dragon occurs, he knows it is fate that he will die. “Now the people’s pride and love, the lord of the Geats, is laid on his deathbed brought down by the dragon’s attack” (Heaney, lines 2900-2902) is solemnly stated by Wiglar, representing the safety and value that Beowulf brought to his land. With everyone adoring him, Beowulf’s death is more peaceful than Grendel’s, whose mother did not believe is dying. Beowulf’s hospitality and view on life and death make him the perfect