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Post by lins on Sept 9, 2014 15:11:48 GMT
While reading these books, I often got confused with each other. I was once reading the Scarlet Pimpernel and thought the setting was in Anglo Saxon Age, and vice versa. Anyway, because both books deal with similar topic, heroism, I thought that there should be many similarities between these stories.
For instance, both Beowulf and Scarlet Pimpernel protect their people from the danger. In Beowulf, Beowulf protect citizens from Grendel and his mom, while Scarlet Pimpernel protects his people from radical Republicans in France. Also both of the characters have high self esteem; they both want to challenge themselves. Thus they try to kill the enemy to prove that they are strong. For example, Scarlet Pimpernel thinks smuggling people as 'sports'.
Of course, there are differences in the book. For example, setting is different; Beowulf is taken place in Anglo-Saxon period, while Scarlet Pimpernel takes place in french Revolution. Well, this was an obvious difference.
What similarities and differences can you find?
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Post by lukejoo on Sept 10, 2014 6:01:16 GMT
The most basic and obvious similarity between the two would be that they are the heroes of the book. But to contrast them, I think an easy way to do so would be to consider Beowulf as an example of heroes of the past and the Scarlet Pimpernel as an example of heroes of now. Beowulf is a very masculine, physically strong, and combative hero. He has won many battles, including Grendel even with his bare hands. In the past, heroes were mainly depicted as single individuals who work by themselves and yet possess great unbelievable power who actively and directly fight against evil doers, so Beowulf pretty well falls into that category. On the other hand, the Scarlet Pimpernel is clever, charismatic, and is a more collaborative leader, unlike Beowulf who is more of a leader who simply brings everyone else along. The Scarlet Pimpernel works in the midst of a secret identity, hiding himself and yet trick and fool the wrongdoers of the story. He somewhat resembles the kind of heroes we think about today, heroes who aren't necessary all powerful, have remarkable talents that they can use to save, or at least help others, like Batman who hides his identity to protect his close ones.
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Post by James on Sept 10, 2014 7:53:23 GMT
One obvious similarity is that both of them are heroic literature. A hero saving people is depicted in both stories. When I could see the similarities between them, I could not specifically point out an example that shows that they are similar. In Beowulf, heroes often HAVE to boast their power and social stand; they are very confident and brave. Their reputation is widely and quickly spread. Whereas in Scarlet Pimpernel, I could not quite find those characteristics. Also, Beowulf is more out in the vision whereas Scarlet Pimpernel is more surreptitious and "under the ground" So in conclusion I found more of contrasting characteristics rather than similarities.
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Post by crystalcao on Sept 10, 2014 15:41:03 GMT
Both of them is talking about heros' story, but they have different purpose. Beowulf is a myth but The Scarlet Pimpernel's backgrand is a real event.
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misato
Junior Member
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Post by misato on Sept 13, 2014 1:56:12 GMT
Both of two stories have hero and evil. In Beowulf, Hero is Beowulf and evil is Grendel or other monsters. In Scarlet Pimpernel, Hero is Scarlet Pimpernel and evil is the group which try to disturb Scarlet Pimpernel(I'm not sure about it). Both of heroes save people.
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Post by stephen on Sept 13, 2014 5:32:22 GMT
Like others mentioned most common thing between these two character would be that they are the main hero of the book. More similarities I thought they had was the fact that they are doing these heroic as fun thing. They don't think anyone is able to stop them, also they have this mind set of that they are invincible. The main difference you can find is their characteristic as a hero. Due to change of heroes threw time they have distinctive difference. The main difference that can figured out is the definition of hero, Beowulf is more like hero thirsty of honor and strength is the main feature. While Scarlet Pimpernel is more like hero with strength but not only strength but also wisdom.
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Post by brandonina on Sept 13, 2014 8:42:56 GMT
I think the similarity between Beowulf and Scarlett Pimpernel is that are both considered heroes of the story. Their job is to save and protect people from whatever danger they are in. The background of Beowulf and Scarlett Pimpernel is based on a historical time period: Beowulf in Anglo-Saxon period and Scarlett Pimpernel in French Revolution period. There are also differences between those characters though. Scarlett Pimpernel hides his identity and doesn't want any attention from people while Beowulf is proud of his heroic qualities, such as bravery and courage, and shows himself off in front of everyone. Beowulf is involved in an external and violent conflict whereas Scarlett Pimpernel isn't so and rather resolves a conflict in a very sneaky and peaceful way.
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Post by leeeeena on Sept 13, 2014 11:41:16 GMT
Similarities:
-Both of the stories include hero and villain.
Beowulf: Beowulf vs Grendel and Grendel's mom
The Scarlet Pimpernel: The Scarlet Pimpernel vs the guard
-Both heroes have same characteristics.
They are brave, strong, praised by many people, etc
-Both villains have same characteristics.
They are cruel. They slaughter people and do not feel guilty about it.
Differences:
-Since everyone knows who Beowulf is, no one knows who The Scarlet Pimpernel is.
-Villains of Beowulf are monsters and villains of The Scarlet Pimpernel are people who are slaughtering innocent aristocrats.
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Post by estherchoi on Sept 13, 2014 14:03:32 GMT
There are a lot of similarities between Beowulf and The Scarlet Pimpernel. One similarity I think comes out the most is theme of reputation. Both stories make importance of reputation a lot. In Beowulf, we can see how Beowulf boasted about his accomplishments in the beginning. He and the people like Hrothgar and many people think that reputation is important too, because they talk as if Beowulf has made his reputation go up when he killed Grendel and his mother. In The Scarlet Pimpernel, we can find reputation when they talk to each other and more. There was even a case when a Princess had to be executed by the guillotine only because of her name. This shows how reputation is important to them.
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Post by ameliachen80385 on Sept 13, 2014 15:20:18 GMT
I would say the similarity between Beowulf and The Scarlet Pimpernel is that both of them are heroic stories.
There are lots of parts are similar.For example,Beowulf and scarlet pimpernel are heroes in the story.Both of them are trying to save someone's life or help people that who suffer from some reasons.Heores always go beyond themselves to help someone else.Also their characteristics is the same,they are wise,brave and strong.Of course,there is difference between them too.In my point of view,the most different is the purpose of saving people.In the Beowulf, we all know that is including an important Anglo-Saxon value,which is Honor.So I think that the Beowulf just want to get the honor from people and how come Beowulf earn the honor? It is to help those people who are in need. But in the scarlet pimpernel I think he wants to help them escape from revolution because his wife is one of the people will be sent to guillotine or because he just sympathizes that the people who suffer a lot.
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Post by dhiya on Sept 14, 2014 2:54:20 GMT
Yes, the similarity would be they both are stories that are based on 'heroism'. Both are brave, courageous, smart. I find Scarlet Pimpernel smart and courageous because he's willing to disguise as an old woman to help Comtesse escape out of France.
The difference lies on the each of the other heroic character's traits. While Beowulf is well known, famous throughout his people for his strength and bravery (e.g for attacking Grendel, in pg. 78: the son of Halfdane spoke: "Beowulf, my friend, your fame has gone far and wide, you are known everywhere. In all things you are even-tampered, prudent and resolute. Forever you will be your people’s mainstay and your own warriors’ helping hand.") Scarlet Pimpernel's identity is not known, though his heroic acts have started to be noticed.
To me, Beowulf seems to be god-like hero that everyone worships. He attacks evils (mythical creature such as Grendel). Scarlet Pimpernel prefers to stay hidden because if he gets caught, he could be arrested/killed by the French for helping people escape put of France. It seems like he doesn't want anything in return. He's just doing what he thinks is right, by helping those people, and doesn't care if people know about his heroic acts or not.
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Post by elisalee on Sept 14, 2014 4:12:49 GMT
The similarity between Scarlet Pimpernel and Beowulf is that both stories deals with the theme "heroism". In the two stories, the Scarlet Pimpernel acts as a hero Beowulf serves as a hero. They both do something that will define them as a "hero". They are brave, and are willing to sacrifice for other people. The difference between the two stories is that the setting of which it took place is different. Beowulf took place in the Anglo Saxon period and the Scarlet Pimpernel took place in the French Revolution era.
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Post by sergeyfen on Sept 14, 2014 8:00:39 GMT
Yeah, the obvious ones are they are both heroes of their stories. Regardless, the difference of their time period they both have concept of a hero, both stories are about 1000 years apart and still have pretty much similar concept a hero (saving people from their troubles). Also, both of them are very special and good at what they are doing, Scarlett Pimpernel- nobody knows who he is or where he comes from, he does it for his own joy. Beowulf- super strong dude who is not afraid of anything just one perfect and masculine man. Difference between these two is Beowulf is very proud, arrogant, and showy type of hero, he wants everyone to know about him and his deeds, where Scarlett Pimpernel is very secretive and hides his identity in order not to draw any attention, that way he is more safe and no one will try to hurt people he holds dear.
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Post by hansoo on Sept 14, 2014 10:30:31 GMT
Both of the literature convey similarities in the sense of representation of hero. Hero is the main theme for both and every plot rotates around Beowulf and Scarlet Pimpernel. However, what they value differ significantly; Anglo-Saxons place courage and physical strength above anything else whereas devotion and passion are prioritized in Pimpernel. Such difference could have occurred due to cultural or spiritual gap in each eras. It leads me to ask, "What literature presents 21th century hero?"
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Post by danielkim on Sept 14, 2014 12:35:29 GMT
They are both heroes and they save people (Beowulf saves people of Heorot and Scarlet Pimpernel saves French aristocrats). They are also threatened by certain danger but do their work normally (Scarlet Pimpernel was threatened by French peasants and Beowulf was threatened by Grendel and Grendel’s mother). Beowulf is supported by his warriors and Scarlet Pimpernel is supported by Englishmen who want to help him.
They are different that Beowulf is loyal to the king whereas Scarlet Pimpernel is loyal to old French government (which was made before the revolution). Beowulf is physically stronger than Scarlet Pimpernel. Many people know who Beowulf is but no one knows who Scarlet Pimpernel is. Beowulf is active in his kingdom but Scarlet Pimpernel is active in France (outside his community).
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