In the poem Beowulf, Beowulf and the monsters prove to be foiled characters as the story progresses. The conflict is between Good and Evil characters. Beowulf expresses his honor to his men and while fighting the monsters. Fate choose Good over Evil for the first two battles. God and Fate chose Evil in the last battle because Beowulf had fought honorably in all of his battles and his time as King was coming to an end. Although Beowulf dies fighting the dragon, his victories against the monsters affirm the ultimate triumph of Good over Evil.
In Beowulf's first battle at Herot, he fought Grendel with honor without any armor or weapons. Fate chose Beowulf to overcome Grendel's strength in order for Beowulf to be successful in his battle. Fate is expressed furthermore in the quote, "That 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 from God, he then knew that his life had come to an end. God had chosen Beowulf to win the battle over Evil. .
When Grendel's mother was acknowledged of her son's death, she wanted to avenge her son's enemy. Fate and God would be on Beowulf's side once again. In addition to Fate and God these quotes come to mind, "And in an instant she had him down, held helpless and holy/ God, who sent him victory, gave judgment/ For truth and right, Ruler of the Heavens" (Beowulf 620-631). Fate was once again on Beowulf's side.
