The Undefeated Hero
The epic poem Beowulf tells the adventure of an Anglo-Saxon man who takes on many challenges in order to not only save his people but others as well. The author sets the central theme around good and evil with 3 battles, which include: Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon. Although Beowulf manages to defeat all three of the enemies, Beowulf dies in the final battle against the dragon and leaves his people as the greatest leader and idol of their time. The poem illustrates numerous indications that are Christian based. As the reader follows his journey, Beowulf may appear to mirror the Christian image of God. Beowulf continuously refers to God for protection during his voyages as well. During his battles, Beowulf reveals …show more content…
For example, he volunteers to fight Grendel for the Danes. Beowulf speaks to the guard and explains, “I come to proffer my wholehearted help and counsel. I can show the wise Hrothgar a way to defeat his enemy and find respite –if any respite is to reach him, ever” (281). Volunteering is a key illustration that shows how loyal Beowulf is to king Hrothgar by fighting the battle. He also suggests that if he dies during the fight, he knows that it is his fate. Beowulf states, “whichever one death fells must deem it a just judgment by God” (440-441). This bold trait of nobility reflects how Beowulf will do whatever it takes to be triumphant. He tells the story of a swimming competition a sea as proof of his previous success and Beowulf claims, “often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked” (572-573). Although he did lose the contest, Beowulf is praised for fighting off and defeating the sea monsters and also surviving the near-death situation. By telling the Danes about his accomplishments, they believe that Beowulf will succeed in the challenge and rid they’re land of the evil Grendel. The courage of his character teaches us that without gallantry, there is no …show more content…
He chooses to fight Grendel with no weapons and declares, “hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fend”, something that no other man would be capable of doing (439-440). There is an implication that Grendel and his mother represent the hardship of nature, which is a prime reason why Beowulf is fighting for the people’s freedom. This particular sacrifice can be a biblical reference to how God gave his life for the world to free them of sin. The beasts may also have a holy meaning to them in that they have “long lived in the land of monsters since the Creator cast them out as kindred of Cain” (103-106). Horrible things can happen unexpectedly in life and the poem expresses that when Grendel bursts into the mead hall on his deadly hunt. As Grendel crept towards the entrance, “his rage boiled over, he ripped open the mouth of the building, maddening for blood” (723-724). This example conveys the extremity of Grendel’s darkness while also revealing how powerful Beowulf can be. When something in life does not exactly go as planned, Christians typically fall back and rely on God with prayers. In the poem, Beowulf symbolizes God and someone that the people of Heorot have to look to for salvation. The symbolism defeats
The epic poem Beowulf tells the adventure of an Anglo-Saxon man who takes on many challenges in order to not only save his people but others as well. The author sets the central theme around good and evil with 3 battles, which include: Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon. Although Beowulf manages to defeat all three of the enemies, Beowulf dies in the final battle against the dragon and leaves his people as the greatest leader and idol of their time. The poem illustrates numerous indications that are Christian based. As the reader follows his journey, Beowulf may appear to mirror the Christian image of God. Beowulf continuously refers to God for protection during his voyages as well. During his battles, Beowulf reveals …show more content…
For example, he volunteers to fight Grendel for the Danes. Beowulf speaks to the guard and explains, “I come to proffer my wholehearted help and counsel. I can show the wise Hrothgar a way to defeat his enemy and find respite –if any respite is to reach him, ever” (281). Volunteering is a key illustration that shows how loyal Beowulf is to king Hrothgar by fighting the battle. He also suggests that if he dies during the fight, he knows that it is his fate. Beowulf states, “whichever one death fells must deem it a just judgment by God” (440-441). This bold trait of nobility reflects how Beowulf will do whatever it takes to be triumphant. He tells the story of a swimming competition a sea as proof of his previous success and Beowulf claims, “often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked” (572-573). Although he did lose the contest, Beowulf is praised for fighting off and defeating the sea monsters and also surviving the near-death situation. By telling the Danes about his accomplishments, they believe that Beowulf will succeed in the challenge and rid they’re land of the evil Grendel. The courage of his character teaches us that without gallantry, there is no …show more content…
He chooses to fight Grendel with no weapons and declares, “hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fend”, something that no other man would be capable of doing (439-440). There is an implication that Grendel and his mother represent the hardship of nature, which is a prime reason why Beowulf is fighting for the people’s freedom. This particular sacrifice can be a biblical reference to how God gave his life for the world to free them of sin. The beasts may also have a holy meaning to them in that they have “long lived in the land of monsters since the Creator cast them out as kindred of Cain” (103-106). Horrible things can happen unexpectedly in life and the poem expresses that when Grendel bursts into the mead hall on his deadly hunt. As Grendel crept towards the entrance, “his rage boiled over, he ripped open the mouth of the building, maddening for blood” (723-724). This example conveys the extremity of Grendel’s darkness while also revealing how powerful Beowulf can be. When something in life does not exactly go as planned, Christians typically fall back and rely on God with prayers. In the poem, Beowulf symbolizes God and someone that the people of Heorot have to look to for salvation. The symbolism defeats