The narrator of Beowulf often compares the hero to Christ in several instances throughout the story, but also presents distinct differences between them in the hero's motives rather than actions. When Beowulf hears of the dragon that destroyed “his own home, / the best of buildings” (Beowulf 2325-2326), he becomes depressed, then furious and plans to seek revenge. When the narrator explains Beowulf's reasoning for his strategy, he describes Beowulf as “too proud / to line up with a large army / against the sky-plague” (2345-2347), which would make the motive for putting himself in danger an antithesis to Christ's, which was humility. The narrator again distances Beowulf from Christ with a mention of the hero having “no dread at all” (2348), compared to Christ who pleaded with God to have the cup taken from him.
However, the comparisons between the two men line up more so as the story continues. Beowulf “befriended Eadgils / when Eadgils was friendless” (2392-2393), which would be an example of the narrator relating the ancient hero to Jesus. This analogy continues as he describes the part of “eleven comrades” (2401) …show more content…
While King Hrethel did take care of Beowulf, and “behaved like a kinsman” (2431), he was not a blood member of the royal family, as opposed to Christ, who is literally the Son of God. Further separating Beowulf from a parallel of Christ is his persistent pride, even requesting that Wiglaf bring the spoils of the battle out for him to see before he died, and admitted in his last speech to his men that he wanted to slay the dragon not for the good of his people, but “for the glory of winning” (2514). While Beowulf shares some characteristics with Christ, these are rather superficial and likely put in by the narrator in an attempt to relate an old Germanic legend to the inhabitants of his own
However, the comparisons between the two men line up more so as the story continues. Beowulf “befriended Eadgils / when Eadgils was friendless” (2392-2393), which would be an example of the narrator relating the ancient hero to Jesus. This analogy continues as he describes the part of “eleven comrades” (2401) …show more content…
While King Hrethel did take care of Beowulf, and “behaved like a kinsman” (2431), he was not a blood member of the royal family, as opposed to Christ, who is literally the Son of God. Further separating Beowulf from a parallel of Christ is his persistent pride, even requesting that Wiglaf bring the spoils of the battle out for him to see before he died, and admitted in his last speech to his men that he wanted to slay the dragon not for the good of his people, but “for the glory of winning” (2514). While Beowulf shares some characteristics with Christ, these are rather superficial and likely put in by the narrator in an attempt to relate an old Germanic legend to the inhabitants of his own