Beowulf vs. James Bond

        The entire plot of the “James Bond” series is about how a British Intelligence operative rescues other countries from utter defeat, and in some instances his own country, likewise, Beowulf helps his nation [Geats] win their battles.  In the movie The World is Not Enough James Bond must retrieve a Global Positioning Satellite device which may be the cause of a war between the United States and China.  Because American is an allied force with Britain, James Bond does all he can to bail out the United States from this disaster.  The United Sates should be eternally grateful but because James Bond is only doing his job, they are less like to praise Britain for all their hard retrieval work.  In addition, Beowulf’s is a Geat and he helps his people by defeating the dragon guarding the treasure, and saving his fellow men, “’I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought; In endless battles. I am old, now, But I will fight again, seek fame still, If the dragon hiding in his tower dares; To face me’” (lines 607-611).  Because James Bond is constantly being replaced by new actors, he will never die, but goes through many death defying events all for the love of his country.  Beowulf remains faithful to the Geats even when they leave him to die because he is an epic hero.  Both Beowulf and James Bond are authoritative figures, and use this power to help other nations in their plight.  

        The universal theme of “good vs. evil” has been portrayed even before Beowulf was written and has carried on a story line for countless movies, playwrights, and books.  For example, in the story of Beowulf Grendel portrayer evil among men and comes from a supernatural background, “He was spawned in that slime, Conceived by a pair of those monsters born; Of Cain, murderous creatures banished” (Beowulf, lines19-23).  Beowulf is introduced to the story with the sole purpose of getting rid of evil in a society where the only person who can defeat Grendel has good intentions.  The evil from which Grendel was born is inconceivable by man, but it makes the battle supernatural in appearance and presents a classic battle between good and evil.  Furthermore, James Bond always triumphs in his missions because good always wins, “Alec Trevelyan: ‘Well done, good job, but sorry, old boy, everything you risked your life and limb for has changed.’ James Bond: ‘It was the job we were chosen for.’ Alec Trevelyan: ‘Of course you'd say that, James Bond, her majesty's loyal terrier, defender of the so-called faith’” (Goldeneye).  When facing Alec Trevelyan from Goldeneye, James Bond is put up against a friend although he has turned on England and works for evil.  All of this is done out of blind revenge, and it is the sort of thing that James Bond has to fight.  Although both Beowulf and James Bond fought against evil, they battled in a different style and manner, “Lord and leader, angry, lowered; His sword and roared out a battle cry, A call so loud and clear that it reached through” (Beowulf, lines 645-647).  Beowulf was more an epic war hero who led many timid men into a raging battle.  James Bond always plays things alone but his accomplishments are just as significant.  These two heroes play a different game but end up with the same result of good always wins even when the hero falls.

        Throughout time, people have read the tales of epic heroes and loved to hear their story.  James Bond is a perfect example of how people can fall in love with a character who will live on forever and whose story is priceless.  Beowulf is similar because it has a certain level of value that is personal to the reader.  The adventures that these two characters go on are very interesting and appealing to more generations to come.