Allusions In Beowulf Analysis

Biblical allusions in Anglo-Saxon literature make up most of the story Beowulf. Which gives more meaning and background to the story allowing people to associate the bible with the story. The way the author relates the characters from the story to the characters from the bible but not directly, gives it a more sincere sensation. The author builds on allusion throughout the story when he introduces Grendel, describes Hrothgar’s men, and when he discusses the battles Beowulf fought in. When Grendel is introduced in Beowulf, he is justified as a monster who is murdering Hrothgar’s men for sport. Relating Grendel to Cain, from the bible. “He was spawned in that slime of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever for the crime

Hrothgar’s men were described as “…and sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods, made heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s support, the Devil’s guidance in driving their affliction off. That was their way, and the heathen’s only hope Hell always in their hearts, knowing neither God nor His passing as He walks through our world, the Lord of Heaven and Earth; their ears could not hear His praise or know His glory.” The author is referring their primitive worship as sinful, but also takes into consideration that they did not have knowledge of God in order to understand right from wrong. The three battles that Beowulf fought in were against monsters, enemies from the community, and civilization not against men. Which brings the reader to assume the reason he didn’t fight against another man is the fact Beowulf wasn’t entailed with evil doing. Britannica mentions, “ Many critics have seen the poem as a Christian allegory, with Beowulf the champion of goodness and light against the forces of evil and darkness.” To the critics his death wasn’t seen as tragic but seen as the end of a good hero’s life. Biblical allusions occurred in abundance in Anglo-Saxon literature, most things written in the 1800s had morals and a purpose which revolved around