Mulan and Beowulf can be compared and contrasted as epic heroes. Both exhibit great bravery and success in battle, yet differ in their motivations and societal standing. Ultimately, they both exemplify the courage needed to fulfill a greater purpose. Mulan, a young Chinese woman, lacks social status within her society, facing limitations on her actions and behavior.
She attempts to conform to societal expectations for a young woman like her, but she faces difficulties as it involves pretending to be someone she is not. Despite her efforts to embody the accepted image, Mulan fails miserably, which results in dishonoring her family. When Mulan’s father is called upon to join the war despite his age and disability, she becomes anxious about his safety and makes the decision to take his place.
Mulan is motivated to go to war and persevere despite difficulties because of her concern and love for her father, as well as her desire to bring honor to her family name. In contrast, Beowulf is a grown male from Geatland who constantly boasts about himself and craves attention from everyone he encounters. He is a renowned war hero who is greatly esteemed and revered in his community due to his numerous achievements. Beowulf embarks on his journey to Denmark and takes on various battles primarily driven by his ego, pride, and determination to fulfill a pledge made by his father to the king of Denmark.
Beowulf and his soldiers embark on a journey to Denmark in order to assist the king and safeguard the populace due to reports of a formidable monster wreaking havoc in the kingdom. Beowulf’s primary objective is to locate and eliminate the monster, while also gaining recognition for another triumph. Despite the noticeable contrasts in motivation, status, and life roles between Mulan and Beowulf, both exhibit immense bravery and achieve victory in their respective battles. The extraordinary courage of both Mulan and Beowulf is undeniably understated.
Mulan disguised herself as a man and received military training, a highly perilous act as women were prohibited from joining the army. If discovered, she faced the possibility of a death sentence. However, Mulan displayed exceptional skills in battle and persevered through adversity. She willingly took on great risks in order to protect her father and uphold her family’s honor. This not only demonstrates her bravery, but also unequivocally establishes her as a hero.
