Hamlet vs Epic Heroes

When comparing Hamlets use of language to Epic Heroes, like Beowulf, there isn't much in common.  Hamlet uses speech in a completely different way, then Beowulf would.  Shakespeare would have their characters reveal their inner thoughts, so that the audience would know what they were thinking, but the rest of the characters in the play wouldn't.  Beowulf wouldn't break out into these soliloquy's pouring out everything that he felt, he would act on his feelings, instead of contemplating what he should do.   The author of Beowulf would use literary techniques, like metaphors, symbolism and alliterations.  

In the play Hamlet, we find out at the beginning that the king had just been killed.  When we are introduced to the main character, Hamlet he is depressed, confused and vindictive.  Hamlet figures out that his father had been killed by his uncle and now has a decision to make.  Throughout the play Hamlet struggles with this decision of either getting revenge or taking his own life.  In his soliloquy, "To Be or Not To Be," he is questioning just that.  It does seem that Hamlet is inexperienced in killing situations, it sounds like he does now a lot about other situations.  He questions why people would put up with their life if its not going the why that they want it to, and he thinks its because people are unsure what lies ahead after death.  By his speech, the audience can tell that he is well educated and has many levels to him.  

In the poem of Beowulf,  the epic hero Beowulf is in a completely different situation then Hamlet.  Beowulf is supposed to be the hero and protect the people of his land.  His actions are based on judgments he makes on the spot.  Beowulf contained very few flaws and was a courageous warrior.  Unlike Hamlet, Beowulf wouldn't think about his decisions so immensely.  

Hamlet and Beowulf were two different types of stories, so that's a reason why the language was different.  In order to keep the plot moving, Hamlet had to rely on his inner thoughts and feelings.  The language in Beowulf described his actions and that's what kept the plot going.  They both had different situations that they had to deal with.  Both Hamlet and Beowulf have their own unique style, and that's what makes them classic readings.