Compare and Contrast Essay: Beowulf vs. The Rule of St.Benedict
Beowulf and The Rule of St.Benedict both have ideals for great leaders and followers, this doesn’t mean that they are the same. Beowulf has the idea of a great warrior king with a loyal band of close friends and warriors willing to die for him. Loyalty and pride are at the core of this idea. Benedict on the other hand has a different view of great leaders and followers. The leader otherwise known as the “Abbot” is someone who is believed to “hold the place of Christ in the monastery” (Benedict, pg 21). While the followers are completely obedient and do not follow their own desires (Benedict, pg 26).
“Taught encroaching foes to fear him - who, found in childhood, lacked clothing? Yet he lived and prospered” (Beowulf, pg 3). Scyld Shefing was brought from nothing to become the famous King of the Danes and was stated “a good king”. Beowulf was no different, he was a good king, a king who put his followers' lives in front of his own. Beowulf was a very prideful leader, for the Danes this is good, Beowulf states “I shall not cut his life with a slashing sword - too simple a business” (Beowulf, pg 26). Although Beowulf is a great warrior he is still putting himself and his followers at risk for saying this. He is a strong warrior who kills the foe at any cost, this is why Beowulf is a good leader. A bad leader would be someone who does not care about the well being of his men.
Even though Beowulf was a good leader his followers did not show loyalty when he needed it most. A good follower should be someone who is by their leader's side and fights with him all the time. Loyalty to the king is the most important trait a follower should have. Wigelf was a good follower to Beowulf because he helped fight the dragon (Beowulf, pg 93). Other followers of Beowulf would eventually turn their backs on him due to fear, not willing to die for Beowulf. (Beowulf, pg 93). This is one of the main concerns of leaders, not having loyal men who would die for you. If you are a good leader and you are ready to do anything for the people beneath you, they should be willing to do the same for you.
The Rule of St. Benedict takes this idea of a “good leader and follower” in a different direction with a few similarities. In “Benedict” the good leader is an Abbot who can be a good role model for his disciples. The same themes occur with loyalty, loyalty for the Abbot is his loyalty in God. A good Abbot is a man who will never waver in his faith or his obedience. He will also handle all disputes with fairness and the disciples will follow this with no hesitation. (Benedict, pg 26) He will call his community together and get input from his disciples. (Benedict, pg 26) A good disciple's input will be done with all humility, while a bad disciple will think his idea is better than the Abbots. For the Abbot one of his main concerns should be his disciples' obedience to him and to God. He should be watching out for disciples following their own desires and straying away from his teachings. The Abbot is the teacher and his disciples are the students, “Speaking and teaching are the master's task; the disciple is to be silent and listen”.
A bad Abbot will be one who indulges in his own selfish desires. (Benedict, pg 26) This includes pride, this is very different from Beowulf, in Beowulf the King should be radiating pride and wearing his achievements on his sleeve.
