Beowulf Theme Analysis

Central Themes of Beowulf

Marshaya Hamilton

Themes within literature represent the underlying message(s) that are being conveyed throughout the story, themes are not only a connection to the author but also brings about a bridge that links the piece of writing to the real world. Often time themes are universal, reflected from the characters to the reader, in Beowulf this is no exception. Multiple themes are touched upon and explored in depth throughout this epic, all of which are major devices that support the story’s development.

Loyalty, a strong feeling of support or allegiance. Arguably loyalty is one of Beowulf’s most outward traits. Throughout the poem there is no doubt that Beowulf is a loyal man, the first example of his loyalty

It is soon brought into light that Beowulf's prime intention for coming to Hrothgar’s aid is owed to a family debt, “Beowulf, you’ve come to us in friendship, and because Of the reception your father found at our court. Edgetho had begun a bitter feud, Killing Hathlaf a Wulfing warrior… In this nation i bought the end of Edgetho’s Quarrel.”(191-205) Beowulf’s father Edgetho received hospitality and friendship in his time of need so now many years later Beowulf is coming to return the favor by killing Grendel.

Beowulf’s character is embodied by loyalty throughout his life, after killing the two fiends terrorizing herot, Grendel and his Mother, Beowulf returns to the home of the Geats where he rises to the

To start the poem off the first incarnation of evil is introduced, the leviathan that goes by the name of Grendel. “Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild Marshes, and made home in a hell.”(17-19) This atrocity of nature has been decimating the land of herot for over 12 years. Then comes the avatar of good, the heroic man from the land of the fabled geats has traveled across the sea, touching down upon the the land of the Danes to uplift the horrid curse upon the land Herot, Beowulf. Soon after the arrival, the battle ensues, Good vs Evil, in another sense it may be seen as God vs Devil, a nod to the various religious points in the epic. “That Shepherd of evil, guardian of crime, Knew at once that nowhere on earth Had he met a man whose hands were harder… Screams of the Almighty’s enemy sang… Taut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms of him who of all men on earth Was the strongest.”(432,467,470-473) As is usually geared towards, a part of evil is purged from the world when Grendel takes his last breath and the side of good is celebrating with the return of Beowulf and his