... to the land for books and learning, educating people in the languages of Latin and Greek (Lawrence 7). Although many of the concepts in Beowulf reflect attitudes of pagan Anglo-Saxon times, still contains many newly introduced Christian themes; themes that occasionally clash with older values (Irving 21). Before ... terrible severance from the Lord; the Almighty made the waters rise, drowned them in the deluge for retribution" (1687-93). The author of Beowulf is suggesting that the sword's creators were the descendants of those that caused God to bring on the flood, and perhaps even sugg...

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... Shepherd of evil, guardian of crime,/ Knew at once that nowhere on earth/ Had he met a man whose hands were harder;"(Beowulf 432-434). Fate allowed Beowulf to overcome Grendel's strength. Beowulf had a much stronger grip then Grendel would ever have. In addition to the previous quote, Grendel realized, "Now he discovered-once ... the afflictor/ Of men, tormentor of their days-what it meant/ To feud with Almighty God:"(Beowulf 490-492). Grendel realized that he had it easy with the other warriors because they could not fight back. Once Grendel grasped the hand of the warrior ... sent fr...

• Word Count: 638
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... his ashes are placed in a cave by the sea. By placing his ashes in the seaside cave, people passing by will always remember the legendary hero and king, Beowulf. In this recognized epic, Beowulf, is abound in supernatural elements of pagan associations; however, the poem is the opposite of pagan barbarism. The presentation of the story telling moves fluidly within Christian surroundings ... as well as pagan ideals. Beowulf was a recited pagan folklore where the people of that time period believed in gods, goddesses, and monsters. Its significance lies in an oral history where people memo...

• Word Count: 1694
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... a traditional Germanic epic into a Christian epic poem. There is a balanced mix of old pagan elements alongside Christian ideals. Within the prologue of Beowulf we are given numerous Christian ideals. The poet subtlety compares Beow, son of Shield, with Jesus Christ when he speaks of Beow's birth, " ... ." Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the work of an anonymous author from the fifteenth century, surviving today in only one manuscript. While Beowulf was of a transitional nature, Sir Gawain is much more Christian work in its origins. A Christian, for a Christian audience, for Christian...

• Word Count: 2583
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... the Grendels, Cain and the devil are used virtually interchangeably in literature. For three different commentators to all find Christian attributes for this character suggests strong connections between Christianity and Beowulf. The character of Unferth has distinct features which suggest it could be classified as a Christian allegoryÆ'xÆ'x. Bloomfield's is a uniqueÆ'x character analysis of Unferth. Bloomfield begins, " ... In the discussion of the Christian elements in Beowulf, it seems to have escaped notice of scholars that the character of Unferth may provide an example of Christ...

• Word Count: 2211
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... "grief-racked and ravenous, desperate for revenge" (1278) due to the murder of her son. After Grendel's mother "avenged her son and wreaked desctruction" (1278), Beowulf must descend into "some other world" (1349) to find her. This other world seems to parallel the lakes of Hell, infested with "writhing sea-dragons [ ] ... she welcomed the Geat and thanked God for granting her wish that a deliverer she could believe in would arrive to ease their afflictions" (625-628). Beowulf, as Christ, acts as a sacrificial lamb by giving up his own life in order to save his people. Klaeber writes, "We...

• Word Count: 824
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... of good versus evil is evident in the story but one is the victor over the other. Good prevails over evil in Beowulf, and it is evident in the fights between Beowulf and Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. Before a person can see that good prevails over evil, they must see ... Parks 4). He was a powerful monster, living down in the darkness/ Growled in pain, impatient (lines 1-2). Beowulf comes as a God sent deliver to cleanse Herot (Goldsmith 85). Beowulf represents the good while Grendel represents the evil. Beowulf is here to save the people of Herot while Grendel is here to t...

• Word Count: 722
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... end of the sixth century. The original story was largely Scandinavian, even using some of the actual names of Swedish and Danish royal family members. Beowulf is a transitional literature that connects Christianity with the medieval literature and some aspect of British literature in general. Most of the part play in ... he commanded water to gather together to create a dry land which he called earth, all this represent the plain girdled with water mention in Beowulf. It also mentions how God quickened life and everything that is moved which is an abstract of how God created living creat...

• Word Count: 1284
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... swore to repay him, / kindness for kindness/with our lives- (766-767). This action sums it up; Wiglaf has shown his loyalty towards Beowulf. Loyalty also shows when Beowulf dies by the last dragon and Wiglaf follows his request, which is to build a light tower for the sailors so they can find there way ... has reached a wonderful peak by Wiglaf granting his wish. Anglo-Saxons also believed bravery as an important part of life and a highly respectable trait. When Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon, goes to fight the final dragon he is one of the only few that stays and fights the dragon. "He strode c...

• Word Count: 531
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... to protect mankind from evil, to use his powers to rescue his family and friends from evil circumstances, and to earn immortality via his heroic tendencies. Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon hero, has all three characteristics. His quest is to restore Herot, due to the mass destruction caused by the monster Grendel, the ... won the battles fought in the Almighty's name. This comitatus instilled fear into all of his opponents, even if they showed no sign of it. Just Beowulf's touch would make a mortal man want to die. God gave him strength like no other man. He was strong enough to carry Grendel's...

• Word Count: 863
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... to protect mankind from evil, to use his powers to rescue his family and friends from evil circumstances, and to earn immortality via his heroic tendencies. Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon hero, has all three characteristics. His quest is to restore Herot, due to the mass destruction caused by the monster Grendel, the ... won the battles fought in the Almighty's name. This comitatus instilled fear into all of his opponents, even if they showed no sign of it. Just Beowulf's touch would make a mortal man want to die. God gave him strength like no other man. He was strong enough to carry Grendel's...

• Word Count: 863
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... government to please the gods. They did this so that their reign and form of government may last as long as possible. The people before Beowulf's time had been mainly set in paganism for all aspects of their everyday lives. The heirs to Lord Shields must have slowly converted into ... to Christianity which mostly changed the government. While the two religions of Christianity and paganism are totally different concepts, at times in the poem Beowulf the two beliefs are intertwined. While the conversion of the governments from paganism to Christianity where shown in the poem, there is als...

• Word Count: 716
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... him. Hrothgar resorts to setting a guard at the front of the hall as a "hall-guardian." 4. What is Beowulf's motive for traveling to Hrothgar's Country? What does he and his men so upon their arrival? Beowulf has heard about Grendal and wants to help Hrothgar defeat it. Upon their arrival to the kingdom ... offered his help. Hrothgar accepted his help, and prepared a feast for him and his warriors. 5. How is Beowulf taunted by the jealous Unferth? How does Beowulf reply to these taunts? Unferth begins to taunt Beowulf by claiming that he once lost a swimming match against Breca , and say...

• Word Count: 688
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... many references and images of good and evil that are trough out this story that was intended for a pagan culture. In the beginning of the story, Beowulf hears about the many killings that plague the Danes and how an unknown monster, later referred to as Grendel, is coming about and causing havoc at ... sent brave warriors to fight Grendel but to no avail. The Danes were not successful because they were part of the corrupted society and that is why Beowulf, the outside interference, comes in and in one battle kills the descendent of Cain. Then the second brawl, with Grendel's mother, show...

• Word Count: 1092
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... ,'there is a constant struggle between good and evil. This poem is an early example of the phrase,Bad guys never win.? Examples of this theme include: God versus Cain, Beowulf versus Grendal, and Beowulf versus Grendal's mother. The first battle between God (good) and Cain (evil) is actually an allusion from the bible. This story of Cain is used to compare God ... 's feelings of Grendal, a descendant of Cain. The book states, "?Since Cain had killed his only / Brother, slain his father's son / With an angry sword. God drove him off, / outlawed him? (Beowulf, 1261 - 1264). Cain killed his ...

• Word Count: 333
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... the lead-wendol represents Grendel, the Wendol Priestess represents Grendel's mother. The fire-worm from the movie, also symbolizes the dragon from Beowulf. Both the epic poem of Beowulf and the movie The 13th warrior hold some form of supernaturalism. The book stated that Grendel and his mother made a spell preventing ... , gave them a supernatural power that was unmatchable. Another comparison is the fact of Good vs. Evil. In the book, Beowulf's enemies were portrayed as the known evil throughout and Beowulf was known as the warrior and savior so to speak. In the movie, the Wendol were...

• Word Count: 459
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... heroic ideals of a particular society. The Odyssey, translated by Fitzgerald, is about an epic hero trying to get to his home after twenty long years. Beowulf, which is translated, by Burton raffle, is about a warrior who killed monsters and saved a city. In both epic stories there are similarities and differences ... for his freedom, wanting no flesh but retreat," (Raffel 443-445.) while Odysseus fought the suitors who were human beings. A second difference is that Beowulf did not use weapons when he fought, "My hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster." (Ra...

• Word Count: 790
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... these qualities in two of the main characters of the story. The epic tells the story of a hero, a prince named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain, and of his exploits fighting Grendel's mother and a Dragon. Beowulf, as a conquering hero, destroys all the monsters in the sea as well as the giants. He has done this for ... purpose in life. The theme of good vs. evil that is present in the story of Beowulf, has become the classic foundation of many modern stories today. Beowulf and Grendel represent the ultimate struggle of good and evil. Grendel tries...

• Word Count: 357
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... shinning banner high up over his head (24, ll.35-42). Magill's comment that the Christianity of Beowulf does not much resemble that of the modern world seems to apply here. Virtuous men in Beowulf must not think themselves to be all-powerful, for it is with God's permission that any task may ... upon a dangerous feat and after triumph over an antagonist. The belief that it is God who grants permission for an action to take place is evident in Beowulf. Fate too is controlled by God, but also can be affected by a person's actions. In the case of Grendel it is God's will along ... to murde...

• Word Count: 547
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... . The warrior heroes are now substituted with a new hero -Christ. And while the pagan would understand the death of Beowulf as a victory of WYRD, the Christianity treats this theme as the necessary sacrifice for the wealth of one" fellow men. In Beowulf monsters were created to challenge human power, to fight him and by being defeated to show the triumph of humanity ... brought to the Universe. The old rites have fallen into oblivion and are kept in dark corridors of our suppressed unconsciousness. The final gap between paganism and Christianity is created. Beowulf starts and ends with a...

• Word Count: 808
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... uses Grendel as a symbol of what is evil and immoral. It is a typical battle of good and evil, something that we see every day in our lives. In the story Beowulf the author makes three main points to show that Grendel is indeed a symbol of immorality, where Grendel comes from, the terrible description of Grendel's killing, and Grendel's loneliness and isolation ... and evil can not and will not ever co-exist. We face it every day, but only through a personal relationship with God can we overcome evil and have true peace. "Beowulf" is a great epic depicting the forces of good and evil. I...

• Word Count: 652
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... necessities, as well as being brave, wise, and more than willing to fight for their people. A dragon began wreaking havoc on Geatish villages; Beowulf did not back down in the face of a challenge. Courage and bravery were of extreme importance to a man of "warrior" status in the ... and wide, as command,"( ). The ideal king and warrior for the Anglo-Saxon era is created by a stew of qualities that both Hrothgar and Beowulf show in the poem. Generosity, respect, and trust play a great deal in the hand of a king. Hrothgar has an enormous amount of respect ... Guardian of the Scyldings,"...

• Word Count: 763
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• Grade Level: High School

... , is truly the embodiment of the ideals of his time. In his adventures he shows off the qualities at that time revered as heroic. Truly Beowulf is the quintessence of the Anglo-Saxon man of that era. He displays many qualities that show some of the conflicts of the era. Proud and ... " and that they could single-handedly do what armies of other men couldn't would have been thought arrogant Beowulf merely garnered respect. That though is not the most significant way in which Beowulf embodied the ideals of the time. It was his dedication to his lord above him and his caring for ... was with...

• Word Count: 613
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... anger hung over our heads too long, dropping down misery; but the Almighty makes miracles when he pleases, and this world rests in His hands." Beowulf alike refers to God's power and says of Grendel, "Let him burn in torment, lying and trembling, waiting for the brightness of God to bring ... him his reward." It was written that Beowulf tore off Grendel's limb with his bare hands, and to credit this impossible action to God would require faith of Christian influenced authors. A concept ... of sin against God is also prevalent in the story of Beowulf. Along with sin against God, came God...

• Word Count: 751
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... Christian philosophies. When looked at more thoroughly, the story also reveals an insight into expected behavior in the Anglo-Saxon society. When Beowulf was a young man, he was fearless. Beowulf behaves as what would be expected of any young Anglo- Saxon man. Young men were to be dignified and brave ... win a bet. After reigning as King for fifty years, and looking back on his younger days, Beowulf admits that it was his ego that causes him to accept the wager. In his old age, however, Beowulf seeks peace for his country rather glory for himself. It is a Christian belief that to do for...

• Word Count: 680
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School