Hamlet versus Beowulf

The difference between Hamlet and Beowulf lies with the influence that self-overhearing holds over Hamlet. Beowulf did not concern himself with over-analyzing his actions, reconsidering his motives, or foreseeing the consequences that would befall him. His words did not constitute his actions. He simply did what he felt was necessary of him.

Beowulf, like the several other heroic figures of the era, did not waver over decisions and consequences. He acted impulsively, without regard. For example, when Beowulf heard that the danes were in trouble he immediately set out to help them. He didn't think much of whether or not his men wanted to go with him, or if his presence would even be welcome in Denmark, he just felt that it was his responsibility as a great warrior to take their battle (with Grendel) upon himself.

There's a scene in the play where Hamlet witnesses a similar sort of dutifullness. In act IV scene iv Hamlet comes across the men of King Fortinbras headed for battle over a small plot of worthless land. His conversation with the captain reveals that even though over twenty thousand men may lose their lived over this squabble, they feel no ambivalence because it is simply their responsibility to fight for their king and their land. Upon his astonishment, Hamlet utters: "How stand I then, That have a father killed, a mother stained, Excitements of my reason and my blood, And let all sleep". During this soliloquy Hamlet self-overhears and realizes that he has all the reason in the world to kill Claudius; all he needs is the conviction. From this session, Hamlet learns that he mustn't have context to take revenge on Claudius, as he thought when he first saw the players, and resolves to kill his uncle.

The example above also shows the role that language plays in Hamlet. Since Hamlet is stuck in a sort of paralysis, he relies on his thought processes and his words to motivate him to action, and sometimes to explain his inaction.

The "to be or not to be..." soliloquy is an example of Halmet's dependence on thought and reflection to explain his inability to act. Although Hamlet has already decided to avenge his father, he still has not done it, and continues to buy time with endless reanalysis. During the soliloquy Hamlet self-overhears to discover what is truly holding him back-- "the dread of something after death, the undiscovered country". He says: "To die, to sleep-- To sleep-- perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause." Hamlet reveals his inability to act with that statement alone. He admits that the consequences of his actions (in this case, the life after death) are far too great to be ignored. "Thus conscience does make cowards of us all".

Beowulf would never be caught second guessing himself, much less allowing his own thought-process render himself impotent to fulfill his responsibilities. As you can see, the role of language is much greater in Hamlet than it is in other epics like Beowulf, and distinctly characterizes Hamlet as a unique type of protagonist/hero.