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Compare and contrast the characters of the Wanderer and Beowulf.
Quick answer:
The Wanderer and Beowulf are both warrior types who value glory, honor, and companionship, but they differ significantly in their circumstances. Beowulf is surrounded by fellow warriors and praised for his strength and courage, while the Wanderer is lonely, filled with sorrow, and laments his lost companions and lord. Beowulf represents an ideal hero, confident and hopeful, whereas the Wanderer is realistic and beaten down by his situation.
Beowulf and the Wanderer are similar in a few ways. They are essentially the same character at very different points in life. Both characters are warrior types that fight for a lord of some kind. They both revel in glory, honor, and good companionship at a mead hall. Finally, both men know what it feels like to lose fellow warriors and a worthy king. That king in Beowulf is Hygelac, who also happens to be related to Beowulf. The lost king in The Wanderer is not named, but the text does show that the Wanderer laments the loss.
Among the living
none now remains to whom I dare
my inmost thought clearly reveal.
The difference between these two characters is that Beowulf is currently surrounded by fellow warriors, glory, honor, and companionship. He is at the top of his game, and he is capable of protecting himself and many...
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other men. Praises are heaped upon him for being courageous and strong. None of that applies to the Wanderer. He may have had all of that at one point, but he has lost all of it. Consequently, he is filled with sorrow and quite lonely. He longs to return to his former glory as one of a lord's brave warriors.
where far or near
I might find one who in mead-hall
might accept my affection, or on me, friendless,
might wish consolation, offer me joy.
It's possible that Beowulf could have some day ended up like the Wanderer, but as we see Beowulf throughout the poem, he is confident and hopeful of the future. He believes that he is capable of meeting any kind of challenge head on. On the other hand, the Wanderer seems to be beaten down by his situation. In fact, as the poem closes, the Wanderer even contemplates how death would be nice because it would end his sorrow.
Well will it be
to him who seeks favor, refuge and comfort,
from the Father in heaven, where all fastness stands.
That's not something that Beowulf would have said. The only thing Beowulf wants out of death is a glorious death in battle.