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Beowulf

Many scholars have contemplated over who wrote the poem Beowulf, although no one has found out for certain who it was. Many people, including myself, believe that it was a monk. The Beowulf poet took the pagan epic traditions for kings, heroes, and monsters and fused it with Christian beliefs to create a poem that would still interest the people of the time while showing them the Christian ways. The Beowulf poet was put to the task of successfully blending these religious beliefs in an effective plot that appealed to his audience. Therefore, I agree with John D. Niles "if this poem can be attributed to a Christian author composing not earlier than the first half of the tenth century…then there is little reason to read it as a survival from the heathen age that came to be marred by monkish interpolations" (137).

Although Beowulf most likely began as a pagan epic, it eventually was expanded to include Christian elements. Drawn from the Bible and some fictional texts as well, in an effort to illustrate the continuing presence of evil in this world. In Beowulf, Hrothgar, Beowulf, and the three monsters represent this king, hero, and evil s

Grendel, the first of the trial that Beowulf encounters, most closely parallels Satan. While Grendel suggests folklore origins, the poem most definitely alludes to the Christian concept of evil, Satan. Both evils are motivated by their hatred of the king figures’ new worlds: "Then the great monster in the outer darkness / suffered fierce pain, for each new day / he heard happy laughter loud in the hall" (Beowulf 86-88). These “demons” seek release from their jealously and rage in destruction. "Then up from the marsh, under misty cliffs, Grendel came walking; he bore God’s wrath. The evil thief planned to trap some human, one of man’s kind, in the towering hall" (Beowulf 710-13).

Beowulf, in a similar manner, is seen as a traditional epic hero. Although he has not created a new world as Christ has done, he has performed extraordinary deeds, and "bloodied by enemies where I crushed down five, / killed a tribe of giants, and on the waves at night / slew water-beasts" (419-21). They both were fated to combat evil alone: "Now, against Grendel, alone, I shall settle / this matter, pay back this giant demon" (Beowulf 425-26).

Finally, both heroes will face evil in a final confrontation and will face evil’s incarnation. Beowulf makes the ultimate heroic sacrifice in giving his life to slay the dragon and save his people; this, of course, alludes to Christ’s crucifixion for mankind’s redemption.

Some topics in this essay:
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