The Anglo Saxon culture believed strongly in wyrd or fate and how its destined role determined events in peoples’ lives. In Beowulf, a continuous reference is directed to fate by context as well as in elements of theme, plot, and character. The most prominent relation to fate is seen with Beowulf, the pagan protagonist. From his early adventures as a warrior to his later rule as king, fate strongly influences Beowulf’s beliefs and courage. He attributes the successful outcomes of his many fights and struggles to the reasons of fate. In the contrasting characters of evil, wyrd is also distinguished as a primary cause. Grendel and Grendel’s mother are both governed in character by a predestined plan set forth by Cain’s exile. As the descendents of Cain, they were determined by fate to be savage outcasts of evil nature. Higlac, Wiglaf, Hrothgar, and Unferth also take part in alluding to fate’s dominance over individual lives. The ubiquitous citations of fate or wyrd portray the significance of Old English beliefs in how every person must accept

Minor references to wyrd are also portrayed by the events involving Higlac, Wiglaf, and Hrothgar. Higlac was took by fate when he “courted trouble” out of pride with the Frisians, losing his life. Hrothgar was a powerful ruler of his lands when the evils of Grendel jeopardized his fate and position; all of his wisdom and strength as king could not alter the resulting deaths caused by Grendel. After fate decided the end for Beowulf, Wiglaf was awarded with Beowulf’s throne; he inherited the armors after the great Geat king died from his fight with the dragon. Beowulf also said, “..we two shall end as fate decrees, “ in his speech before his confrontation with the dragon.

The fated lives of Grendel and his mother also signify the inescapable rules of fate. Born into abandoned lifestyles as evil monsters feared by everyone, the two creatures are symbolic of evil and its ultimate destiny. Grendel’s existence was demolished by the heroic Beowulf who prevailed because fate allowed him to courageously kill the monster. When Beowulf faces Grendel’s mother, he says, “I’d use no sword, no weapon,

Some topics in this essay:
Hrothgar Unferth, Anglo Saxon, Beowulf Grendel’s, Beowulf Wiglaf, Hrothgar Higlac, Grendel Grendel’s, Beowulf Essay, anglo saxon, Wiglaf Hrothgar, Higlac Wiglaf, anglo saxon belief, wiglaf hrothgar, peoples’ lives, grendel’s mother, fate decided, higlac wiglaf, monsters beowulf, wyrd beowulf, higlac wiglaf hrothgar, plans fate, king fate,