The epic poem Beowulf is the most important work of Old English literature, and is well deserved of the distinction. The epic tells the story of a hero, named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the monster Grendel, an ancestor of Cain, and of his adventures fighting Grendel's mother and a Dragon. Throughout the epic, the storyteller uses many elements to build a certain depth to the characters. Just a few of the important character elements in Beowulf are fortune and respect, religious and irreligious, and man versus evil themes (Cooper).
Many of the characters in Beowulf are, like in most epics, defined by their standing and importance. But, in addition to standing, culture also adds an element of respect. To the people of the time, a character's importance is not only measured in monetary terms, but it was also measured in terms of honor, fame, and accomplishments (Cooper). Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, is one example of the Anglo-Saxon measurement of importance in Beowulf. Hrothgar has a great deal of compassion for his warriors and his people. Through this compassion, Hrothgar proves the full extent of his honor and therefore the extent of his wealth and status (Muni).
Beowulf, the hero, also proves his true wealth

that, since Beowulf is in fact not a messenger, this description shows the good in Beowulf's heart and the purpose of his mission. Another religious reference in Beowulf is shown in the tower of Herot which is very similar to the tower of Babel. It was built as a sign of superiority and accomplishment. Like Babel, though, Herot only serves as a symbol of downfall over a symbol of glory because it causes many deaths and the coming of Grendel (Lugo).

they also factor in as a motive for their actions. They are used to build a certain depth of the characters in order to help the epic poem succeed to what it is today.

Apart from fortune, respect, and religious themes and motifs, character is also shown through a certain Man versus Evil motif. This motif shows the difference between mankind's good ways, and evil. Grendel for one, is shown as evil. His home, "Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild marshes, and made his home in a hell not hell but earth" shows his evil nature (NebKeriuRa). Grendel's wildness is countered in mankind's ways, especially Beowulf's. Beowulf is tame and civilized, the epitome of goodness and purity. Beowulf doesn't fight evil in a wild manner, but rather in an admirable way. Beowulf is pure and shows this before his battle when he removes his armor and vows not to use a weapon to defeat Grendel. By defeating Grendel, he shows that man, without armor and weapons, can defeat evil in any form. This deed serves throughout the epic as a symbol of Beowulf's goodness (Cooper). Beowulf has many other symbolic elements and motifs, but th