The Romance of Tristan by Beowulf Beroul features Beowulf, Tristan and other heroes who are renowned fighters. Their battle skills are evident in their numerous victories, often against powerful and seemingly impossible opponents. The two heroes use violence to achieve different goals and different motives. Tristan is motivated by love, passion, and devotion. Beowulf fights for the sole reason of a desire to be a warrior and to achieve violent victory.
Beowulf’s greatness is immediately recognized and appreciated by those who are in need of help. Hrothgar recalls that Edgetheow’s famous son was a fighter with the strength of 30 men. Beowulf confirms the rumor that he has great power, telling the story of how he “bound five Giants – their blood was on me” and “crushed sea-serpents in narrow struggle by night, broken the beasts”. The troll, Grendel, is the subject of his boastful question.
Beowulf is confident in his abilities and eager to test his strength in the meeting between Geats & Danes. He wants to test himself more than he does to protect Heorot. “I will not use a sword or yellow shield in this fight, because I want my lord Hygelac to be proud of me,” declares the warrior (64-5). Beowulf wants to be sure that the fight against Grendel is fair so he can win and claim glory for himself. Beowulf, on the other hand, would want to protect Hrothgar’s empire. The Geat, being strong warriors of their own, would appreciate the Geat’s help in fighting Grendel.
Beowulf is influenced by his desire to compete in sports even at a young age. Beowulf recounts his race in the pool with Breca as teenagers during Heorot’s first meal. Beowulf, who is not Breca in the morning but rather Beowulf on the coasts of Battle-Reams “cast” by the ocean, sheds light on which one has won. Beowulf kills “seven monsters of the sea” at night, after having destroyed the sea creatures which drag him to the bottom of the sea during the race between Breca and himself (69). This behavior is prompted by the fierce desire to compete and push his limits.
Beowulf continues to strive for glory and satisfaction until his death. After the battle against Grendel, Geat’s prince chases Grendel’s mother in the Were and defeats the monster. His reward for fighting her is Grendel’s head. Beowulf is able to leave Scylding happy, knowing that he has saved Hrothgar’s family twice.
Beowulf’s final battle against the dragon shows his desire to challenge himself and win in an ancient time. Beowulf also mentions in his speech that the Geats are fighting the dragon because it decimated their mead-halls and killed many of their people. But the dragons hoard is the topic of Beowulf’s address to his followers. “Now we will fight, with sword and hard edge!” he exclaims (130). “I’ll win the gold by being brave; otherwise war will bring death to your king. When Beowulf is nearing death, he is thinking about the treasure he has just acquired. Wiglaf his beloved kinsman tells him to hurry up so he can look at the gold, ancient wealth. Beowulf is speaking as a king here, wanting to leave his people an inheritance of wealth. However, his desire for glory and pride are still burning brightly as the days pass. Beowulf is “a man aged in sorrow” when he dies, but he takes pride that despite his age – and the loss of life – fought for a cause and won (139).
Tristan, the son of Rivalen, is not as violent in his intentions to fight for Yseut, but he does it for love. Tristan does not fight for the Irish girl because he loves her. But most of his battles and violence are motivated by love. Tristan remains in exile with Yseut & Governal while Tristan’s Dog Husdant is released. This is to see if he “is miserable for his master” (81), or if he has gone mad. Tristan is only one person who is saddened by Husdant’s appearance when he is released to roam and finds his owner. Mark’s nephew, worried for his safety and that of his lover, decides it would be better for Husdant to die than to have us captured for his barking. I am very sorry that he has to die. He’s a wonderful animal. A knight shows unwavering dedication by killing his faithful, devoted companion Husdant because he loves a lady. Tristan’s dog is spared only because of advice given by the woman who he would die for.
Tristan still loves Yseut, even when the love potion is gone. Yseut comes up with a plan to protect Tristan from danger if he gets caught. King Mark has instructed her to vindicate yourself by swearing. Tristan, however, is willing to risk his life in order to be caught. While the Irish princess could easily lie and it would not be dishonorable (since she has already entered into an adulterous relationship against her will), Yseut is unwilling.
Tristan continues his violence after Yseut has been vindicated to eliminate the enemies who know about his relationship with Yseut. In a dense thorn bush thicket, he kills Denoalan brutally. “He cut off the head of the villain and did not allow him to tell him, ‘I was wounded’ (146). Tristan shows Yseut Denoalan by cutting off his hair. Yseut helps him see Godwin’s skull when he visits her later. The combat-trained knight shoots down the nosy baron, “piercing Godwin’s eyes and going deep into his mind and brain” (148). Tristan will not let anyone ruin his relationship with Yseut. The barons depicted in the book as cruel, disapproving advisors to King Mark are really just harsh, unforgiving people. Tristan is a victim of his deep love of Mark’s wife.
Tristan unleashes his most violent act when he reaches Cornwall from Brittany. Tristan uses self-mutilation, force and a mad dash to reach Yseut. He wanted to make sure that no one thought he was out of his mind. So he tore the clothes off and scratched on his face. He would strike anyone who was in his way. He was balding… He looked like a fool as he walked and people hurled stones at his face. Beroul tells Tristan that he does this to make it appear as though he is mad. However, Tristan’s willingness to carry out such acts give credence Tristan’s vulnerability towards violent madness because of his passion. Yseut’s loyalty will never be compromised, not by his own humiliation or identity.
Beowulf, like Tristan, is an example of a tragic hero who will use extreme violence to achieve a goal or to maintain happiness. Beowulf sacrifices his life to achieve fame and enjoy battle. Though he is not required to take part in the Geat King’s final quest, as the dragon seeks only to protect his treasure, he can’t resist and loses his life. Tristan is a violent person with a high tolerance for violence. He has no fear of it because he’s so insatiable. He will kill to protect his love affair with Yseut. The tragedy of violence is that it cannot solve the heroes’ problems in their most crucial moments. Beowulf has achieved many victories, but he still does not have the full respect and loyalty of his men.
