In the poem Beowulf, a variety of themes are present that have significance towards the meaning of the poem that help us understand Anglo-Saxon culture during that time period. Three concepts that have significance towards the meaning of the poem are heroism, loyalty, and good vs evil. These themes relate in some way and all play a role in the meaning and interpretation of this poem.
Throughout the poem Beowulf is faced with many battles and conflicts that he overcomes using his heroic abilities. According to Google a hero is defined as “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities”. Beowulf was portrayed as a true hero throughout the poem by fighting in many battles and protecting other people. After Beowulf's death
…show more content…
When Beowulf defeated Grendel and his mother throughout the poem this showed that good will triumph over evil. After defeating Grendel's mother Beowulf says “However that wretched thing got little comfort, nor will he live much longer, the hateful harmer enfolded in sin, but agony has clasped him tight in its constraining clutches, in chains of baleful death. There he must await a greater doom, this creature spattered with evil—how the bright Measurer should choose to repay him.” (ll. 972b-79). Grendel was an “evil” monster because he was responsible for many deaths of innocent people and eating his victims while Beowulf was a “good” hero who prevailed in many battles showing his loyalty and heroic abilities. This quote also suggests Beowulf thought Grendel's mother was a “creature spattered with evil” and implied she awaited a greater doom. I believe the greater doom refers to the retributions Grendel's mother has to pay for all of the bad things she has done. Finally, the theme of good vs evil is unique in regards to Beowulf because it can be interpreted different within different cultures, religions, and
Good vs Evil in Beowulf Evil profoundly immoral and malevolent Good to be desired or approved of. Although the two adjectives are the polar opposites from each other complete In the Anglo Saxon poem Beowulf, the reoccurring theme of good versus evil is used to contrast the ideal Anglo Saxon person with its flawed opposite. Anglo Saxon literature was typically written in Latin, which is known as “the language of learning” (Amodio).
Grendel commits heinous acts against people who have done nothing wrong. Grendel shows how evil he is when he “snatched at the first Geat he came to, ripped him apart, cut his body to bits with powerful jaws” and he even “drank the blood from his veins” (Beers II. 262-265). Beowulf also fights two other evil creatures. He goes into battle against Grendel’s mother. She is also very evil, seeing as she raised Grendel.
His paranoia causes him to order the deaths of close friends and allies. This transformation demonstrates how evil takes over good compared to Beowulf where there is already an evil creature present. Beowulf is a story about an evil creature named Grendel who terrorizes the castle of Hrothgar, killing many. Hrothgar calls Beowulf to kill Grendel and other villains which shows the distinct line between good and evil. Evil is worse in Macbeth, because it slowly seeps in and ultimately takes over Macbeth’s character, whereas in Beowulf, it is stagnant, remaining in the souls of the
Grendel has brought a lot of death to the world, because of that Beowulf promised to himself that he will kill
In Beowulf, the characterization of Grendel directly opposes his portrayal in Grendel. Because the point of view of Beowulf is third person omniscient, Grendel’s thoughts and emotions are not explicit. His philosophies present in Grendel do not appear in Beowulf. The citizens of Herot view Grendel as a wild, evil beast: “Till the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend/Grendel who haunted the moors, the wild/Marshes, and made his home in a hell” (Beowulf 101-103). The author of Beowulf created Grendel to be a malevolent and powerful being.
Just like in today's society, Grendel helps us to see our own imperfections. It is these imperfections that we fear, we ourselves are afraid to face our own demons. This fear of facing our own monsters is evident in the fact that the people in the Herot were unable to face and stop Grendel. So they, much like ourselves, call upon others to help us face our demons. That is the message Beowulf shows us about
In the poem Beowulf, the author uses recurring symbols drawn from the Bible to represent people 's beliefs that good will always be victorious over evil. For instance, the infamous Grendel “never / Dared to touch King Hrothgar’s glorious / Throne, protected by God” (Beowulf 83-84). From this, it’s clear that God’s power terrifies him and is too mighty for Grendel to face. Because of this fear he possesses, Grendel’s evil power and influence is no match compared to Beowulf’s steady and brave power that God bestows on him. In another example, Grendel “fought / For his freedom, wanting no flesh but retreat, / Desiring nothing but escape” whenever Beowulf finally kills him to end the terror he causes on Hrothgar’s kingdom (Beowulf 444-446).
Beowulf vs Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon all represent a creature from hell and Beowulf is a god-like warrior who ends up slaying evil. “Like a man outlawed/for wickedness, he must await/the mighty judgement of God in majesty” (Beowulf 976 - 978). This quote talks about Grendel and his demonic soul. Beowulf points out that he is an evil creature and no creature ever to exist is powerful enough to smite God. Once Grendel dies, Grendel will be in God’s hands and Grendel will regret ever being evil or committing any evil action to anyone or anything on Earth.
In the epic poem, Beowulf, Grendel is presented as a horrible and vicious monster, who was "spawned in that slime," a reference to the biblical story of Cain, who slayed his brother Abel, which was a horrible sin. In Beowulf, Grendel was never given a chance; his ferocious nature was innately inside of him. But in Josh Gardner’s, Grendel, we are offered a different side of the story as to why Grendel is the way that he is. In the book, Grendel was not born a ferocious killing machine, but instead was shaped by his environment, and as a result was turned into the demon that he has become. An example from the book that proves that Grendel is not distinctly evil can be found at the beginning of Chapter Seven.
He decides to answer the trouble and begins his journey to the monster. Grendle, who is the definition of evil is harassing the king known as Hrothgar and his beloved people. Beowulf comes to help Hrothgar, even though he doesn't know of him. Beowulf shows his selflessness and how he is ready to help. He shows bravery and courage by eventually killing Grendle.
As we know, a hero is an individual that meets a monomyth. This involves the hero going on an adventure, in a decisive crisis that leads to a victory, and then comes home transformed. Even though Beowulf seems to meet the criteria of being a heroic figure, he willingly went to Heorot without being called by Hrothgar, the king of Heorot. The attitude towards the challenges he faces does not match the ideal persona of a hero. After defeating a problematic monster named Grendel, he only made the situation worse.
Grendel is the enemy in the epic that Beowulf must kill. The poem states “ So Grendel ruled, fought with righteousness, one against many, and won; so Herot stood empty, and stayed deserted for years, twelve of grief for Hrothgar,”( line 59-64). This quote represents the evilness and powerfulness that Grendel possessed he killed for 12 long years not caring about the pain and suffering he was leaving behind. This relates to the epic hero characteristic because the quotes show how Grendel is evil and that a hero of the people will have to arrive soon , so that Grendel is put to an end. The epic poem also states “ his eyes gleamed in the darkness, burned with a gruesome light,” ( lines 405-408).
Beowulf is willing to risk his life to protect others. He demonstrates his strength and his braveness when he battles Grendel, Grendel is a monster who has been terrorizing all the Danish people. Beowulf will be able to defeat Grendel by his bare hands, which shows that he is not afraid to confront the monster face to face. The author uses Beowulf’s victory over Grendel to show the power that Good will always be more powerful than evil. When Grendel and Beowulf were battling, Grendel was thinking of running away from Beowulf and hide because Beowulf was known to beat anyone that would stand from him and protecting his community safe “Grendel's one thought was to run from Beowulf, flee back to his marsh and hide there.”
This is the beginning of Grendel falling directly into the role that the dragon said he would need to fill. Grendel’s murderous tendencies completely reflect the monstrous side of his personality and the more he kills the more he grows insane, separating from rational, humanistic thought. “I am swollen with excitement, bloodlust and joy and a strange fear that mingle in my chest like the twisting rage of a bone-fire... I am blazing, half-crazy with joy” (168). It is clear that, by the time Beowulf arrives, Grendel has embraced the fact that he is required to be evil, despite the fact that he previously claimed he would oppose that destiny.
Beowulf is a fantastic representation of an Anglo-Saxon epic poem. The poem starts out like a typical epic poem. The call to arms of the struggling Danes which is shown in both the movie as well as the poem. The hero endures resistance and deals with adversity before he finally triumphs over evil and rescues the Danes. It demonstrates many aspects such as the fight between good and evil as well as a hero, the hero also typically recites a geilp and the monotheistic influence.