Beowulf As Christian Allegory Essay, Research Paper
Beowulf? s narrative is slightly of an fable in which he is depicted as the Christ figure. The subject of Beowulf is a contrast of good and evil which is manifest in both Christian and heathen elements ; Beowulf represents good, while Grendel, his female parent, and the firedrake represent immorality. The first monster our hero, Beowulf, faces is Grendel. Grendel is said to be a descendent of Cain. ? Unhappy animal ( Grendel ) , he lived for a clip in the place of the monsters? race, after God had condemned them as family of Cain? ( Norton, 28 ) . Cain is the boy of Eve, the adult female who bore wickedness into the universe. A connexion, nevertheless obscure, can be made between the maternal dealingss of Eve and Cain and Grendel and his female parent. Grendel? s female parent can be considered to body adult male? s autumn from grace and Grendel himself might incarnate wickedness. Furthermore, the firedrake Beowulf conflicts can be said to be a image of Satan: ? the smooth hateful firedrake who flies at dark wrapped in fire? ( 56 ) .
When confronting Grendel, Beowulf relies on God entirely to protect him, stating, “ ? may wise God, Holy Lord, assign glorification on whichever manus seems good to Him? ( 36 ) . When Beowulf tears off Grendel? s arm, Hrothgar comments, ? I endured much from the enemy, many heartaches from Grendel? ( 39 ) . It could be said that the Christian enemy is wickedness, which causes much heartache.
Against Grendel? s female parent, original wickedness, Beowulf becomes the Christian soldier. When Beowulf struggles against Grendel? s female parent, God grants him a cherished gift:
? The Wielder of
Work force granted me that I should see hanging on the wall a just, ancient, great-sword? most frequently He has guided the adult male without friends? that I should exert the arm? ( Norton, 48 ) .
This great blade is farther described as? a victory-blessed blade, an old blade made by the giants? the work of giants? ( Norton, 47 ) . The blade used to murder Grendel? s female parent is work of her hereditary giants, who were godly until they fell from grace. ? From ( Cain ) sprang all bad strains, trolls and elves and monsters? likewise the giants who for a long clip strove with God? ( Norton, 28 ) . Therefore, the blade was god-forged and godly. Here the hero is utilizing? the blade of the Spirit, which is the word of God? to predominate ( The Book of Ephesians 6.17, Bible ) .
In his conflict with the firedrake ( which may stand for Satan ) Beowulf is martyred, losing his life in the of the killing the firedrake. Beowulf is the Christ figure ; the monsters are sin personified ; and, furthermore, the work Beowulf efficaciously becomes the blade of the Spirit and the word of God.
It is of import to observe that, while there are many mentions to Cain, the Satan, and God ( Christian elements ) there are besides several references of destiny and fate, heathen elements. Beowulf believes in predestination and feels that fate is mortally unchangeable, stating, ? Fate ever goes as it must? ( 33 ) . This thought propels him into many conflicts even though the competition seems overpowering. Yet, in evident neglect for destiny and fate, Beowulf prays to God for aid and thanks God for triumph and protection.
