Beowulf and Kira, Enough said.

• Artist: Cyrus The Keeper
• Description: You don't need this description, the meat is right there near the bones.
• Date: 06/30/2012
• Tags: beowulf kira deathnote anime lightyagami

To those of you who aren't aware, "Beowulf" is an author-less legend depicting the tale of a strong warrior who doesn't let fear get in his way. Beowulf tears monsters limb from limb, but with little personal gain from it. Light Yagami, from the popular manga and anime Death Note, is the complete opposite of that. Although he does kill criminals, he would be classified as the chaotic neutral hero in a role-playing scenario. Light will push others around and kill some of them just to ensure he remains on top. So how, of all things, can these two be seen as similar?

Let's start with the simplest example: priorities. Heroism is a common theme in both pieces. Each character believes that it is his obligation to do what is right. Beowulf needs to impress the Danes and his father, so he goes and kills the monster, Grendel, and rips his arm off. Light Yagami finds the all-powerful Death Note, which can kill a person simply by writing their name in it. Light is convinced that he was meant to find the notebook, and knows that he is the only person that can usher in a new world order. By killing criminals, he tries to eliminate crime, and takes on the name Kira, similar to the English word "Killer".

That is not all. Just as Kira is observed as a homicidal maniac, Beowulf can be seen as a monster, too. Multiple attempts at finding Kira fail, despite the fact that L, the world's best detective, works on the investigation team. He brings with him Japanese police officers, including Light's father, and eventually sucks Light into the business as well. With Beowulf, Grendel was killed for sure, but that's not enough for the Danes. One night, an even larger monster comes, and takes back her son's arm. Grendel's mother, along with the other creatures and dragons he fights, think of Beowulf as the true monster. Both these subjects can be good or evil, but that part relies on the eye of the beholder.

All in all, Light Yagami is a modern-day Beowulf, except with a known author, and much, much more blood. If you think otherwise, leave a comment below, or just leave.

Comments

[Cyrus The Keeper]

Antagonist does not always mean bad guy. It's the person working against the protagonist. In Beowulf's case, it was Grendel and a Dragon. With Light, you have L, his successors, and Kira.
However, how did the monsters see Beowulf? A murderer. Light's death wasn't honored because it was kept secret. Only 8 people survive in the story that know about Kira's identity, and they claim that Light and Soichiro sacrificed themselves to catch Kira.

[vv7722]

Interesting. Yes, each thought he was doing what was right.

But Beowulf was more a typical hero; he was honored when he died. Light did what he did in secret and is arguably the antagonist of Death Note.