In Beowulf, one of the most important themes conveyed is the difference between good and evil. From adolescence cultures mold their youth towards accepted values and ideals; showing them the distinction between what they consider right and wrong. During the time of transcription of Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon tribes were undergoing the transformation from early Germanic paganism to Christianity. Therefore, during this time there was a shift of current standards of the time. Clergy members, who were responsible for the transcribing of this epic, used the text as a gateway to promote Christian values into this emerging Anglo-Saxon culture. As a result, through out Beowulf, there are various biblical allusions that impersonate the two main extremes of the bible, Christ, who epitomizes good and the Devil, who embodies evil. This parallel between these two biblical figures can be seen through the characters of Beowulf and the two monsters who represent the nature of each entity. Through the use of characterization and setting, this parallel can be seen, particularly in the descriptions of each respective character as well as the place in which each resides through out the narrative.
When the characters of Grendel, Beowulf, and Grendel’s mother are introduced, the terms that are associated with each of them portray a particular character in the bible. This portrayal not only can be seen as being directly related to Christ and the devil, but also to the values they each hold. When Beowulf introduces himself to Hrothgar, the King of the Danes, he describes himself with the words “triumph” (409) and “puryfing” (431).
The Essay on Beowulf Character Analysis Spirit Of Adventure
Beowulf: Character Analysis When he arrived at the Danish land, Beowulf was a young man seeking adventure and glory. Beowulf was distinguished among his people, ... After his battle with the dragon Beowulf realized his time was over. However, he used the time on his death bed to reflect ... he had done well in his life. During his life time, Beowulf was a great fighter. His bravery and strength helped him ...
Similar to Christ, Beowulf triumphs over evil and purifies Heorot of Grendel’s malevolence. Also, Beowulf “renounce[s]” (426) the use of a weapon similar to the Christian renunciation of the devil, therefore ridding himself of the evil a weapon is associated with. However when he is portraying Grendel, the words “glut” (443) and “gloating” (448) are used. These words are associated with Christianity’s seven deadly sins, which if committed will condemn the sinner to an eternal lifetime in hell. Similarly, in the scene of Grendel and Beowulf’s encounter, more parallels to Grendel as Satan are evident. Firstly, Grendel is referred to as “God cursed Grendel” (711); in the bible the devil was previously an angel known as Lucifer who was cursed by God to spend eternity in hell. As a result of Lucifer’s exile he now serves as the “captain of evil” (749), just as Grendel does. Similarly to Grendel’s depiction, his mother is said to be a “menace”(1444), which is associated with acts of dangers and threats, acts that the devil carries out. Christ however, was known for his acts of compassion and his belief in non-violence which greatly differs from Grendel’s mother acts of “brutal[ity]”(1501).
This antithetical description of Grendel’s mother ways of acting emphasizes her similarity to the devil. Also, when she is first introduced, there is a reference to “Cain”(1261) who not only killed his brother, but is the son of Adam and Eve, the cause of original sin and the introduction of evil into the world. It is through the use of these words that a connection can be drawn between the Biblical characters and the epic Beowulf.
Similar to the word choice of the text, there is also an important connection between the settings where the climax occurs and the kingdoms of Heaven and Hell. This relationship between Heorot and the Lake to Heaven and Hell can be inferred through the imagery and significance associated with each location. Mead Hall is where the nobility resides, and during the time of transcription, the nobility was responsible for exemplifying the values of that time. Through their actions of loyalty and protection to the king, they were able to acquire a place in the comitatus much like one would go to heaven if they followed Christ’s teaching. Also, when the battle between Grendel and Beowulf occurs the “hall [is] clattered and hammered, but somehow survive[s] the onslaught and [keeps] standing” (770-771).
The Essay on Grendel Vs. Beowulf Comparison
There are two sides to every story. The events may be the same, but the tone in which the story is told shapes the reader’s understanding of the events. This idea is never more evident than through the disparity between Burton Raffel’s translation of Beowulf and John Gardner’s Grendel. Both novels are based on the idea of Beowulf killing Grendel. However, the two different points of view telling ...
This shows that no matter how much evil is brought to God’s kingdom, it will always be kept in its glory. Grendel’s lair however is preceded by a lake, which has various references to the Kingdom of Hell. Firstly, in the book of Revelations, God casts Lucifer into the lake of fire that later on becomes more commonly known as the kingdom of hell. Also when describing the lake it is said to be a “hot gore” (1422) which corresponds to the image of hell as a sweltering, dark environment. Additionally, in the lake there are “serpents” (1428) which has a strong connection to the creation of evil. In the book of Genesis, God creates a perfect world and tells its two inhabitants, Adam and Eve, that they can eat from any tree they like except from the “Tree of Knowledge.” This however is short lived when the devil disguised as a sly “serpent” tempts Eve to take the forbidden fruit. It is by eating this fruit that the devil finds a way of introducing evil into the world therefore enforcing the idea of Grendel and his mother as evil creatures. It is through these two major locations in the epic that further similarities between the characters of Beowulf, Grendel and his mother as God and the Devil.
With the combination of these two devices the clergymen who transcribed Beowulf ultimately create a book of teachings that enforces Christian values. Constant parallels are seen for Beowulf as a Christ-like figure, and Grendel and his mother as a personification of the Devil through the use of characterization and setting. By placing these parallels in such an important work to the Anglo-Saxon culture, it was constantly exposed; therefore imprinting the ideas of God versus evil, and how godly deeds will always prevail in time of turmoil. Consequently creating a type of “Early Germanic Bible” which solidified early Germanic tribes transition from Paganism to Christianity.
