Beowulf Good Vs Evil Essay

779 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Beowulf character essay

Beowulf is a simple epic with underlying themes of good versus the evil, the human dependency and hope of the light in life overpowering the dark. This is supported through the depiction of Grendel as mankind’s enemy and Beowulf being their savior. Furthermore Grendel is the representation of humanity gone wrong and touching at the Christian influences used on the epic. Beowulf stands for hope, he’s the purity and light brought it to selflessly save the Dane’s as they face Grendel who stands for the sins and evil of the world and it’s a classic fight between good and evil as good so effortlessly triumphs over evil and forces it to be stripped of its egotistical ways as it faces its end.

In addition, the poem of Beowulf is a mixture of both Christian and Germanic warrior values and their pagan beliefs. This makes room for many …show more content…

He wanted to give it his all or die trying. Pride is a big factor in the analysis of Beowulf and is one of the oldest and most consequential displays of personality. Going back to the theme of evil versus good pride comes into play considering it is one of the most deadly of sins and to some the original sin. Beowulf fights for pride, glory, and fame above all things and goes into battle with confidence. It is not his fault considering he is only just a man who is liable to sin but is his fault as he represents himself to be something greater than that. Evil lies in Beowulf too, but not direct and not as whom he is as a person. Evil sneaks its way into Beowulf in a way to set up his downfall. As now the king of his people at the time of the attack of the dragon in the story Beowulf takes on once again the role of hero and savior for his people. Although, he has become old by this time and knows that his end is near so he defeats the dragon but pays with his life to do so. He dies a noble death like he wished and embodying the meaning of a true

Show More
Related

  • Code of Honor in the Epic of Beowulf

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf is an epic poem that was written in the late tenth-century, at the kingdom of the West Saxons. The two main characters are Beowulf, a young man; and Grendel, a furious dragon. Beowulf's world is a very violent society with wars as a dominant part of daily life. Dragons and monsters are a constant threat to the Danes and the Geats. Warriors are a necessity to this war-like society. Beowulf is a hero as well as a great, and honorable, warrior.

    Read More

  • Beowulf's Warrior Code

    893 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the anglo saxon society in which Beowulf took place, there was a warrior code which resulted in everyone trying to gain power over one another. Everyone lived by a heroic code that encouraged battles, feuds, and murders and rewarded the victor with treasure. By showing your insecurities or weaknesses in this age you will be taken advantage of. Beowulf understands the heroic code and uses his pride to get the upper hand on everyone else, Beowulf boasts himself as an invincible hero and goes in battle with out an ounce of fear. Beowulf’s justifies his excessive pride through his . Lastly, Beowulf’s pride made him a leader and led by example to defeat the dragon and ultimately sacrifice himself in the process. Beowulf’s desire for pride

    Read More

  • The Dichotomy Of Good Vs. Evil In Beowulf

    919 Words  | 2 Pages

    We have a concrete hero character in Beowulf, and a concrete villain in Grendel. We see this as a theme throughout the epic poem. The dichotomy of good versus evil is the fundamental backbone of this piece of literature. It is so significant due to the fact that everything that happens in this book is someway related to good versus evil. If Beowulf wasn’t so good at heart, he would not even be enticed to leave his homeland and go help the danes. Without the drive in Beowulf 's heart to do what is right, all of his heroic moments of glory would not exist. Once this is pointed out to the reader, it becomes so clear that one could wonder why the book isn 't just named: “Beowulf, a Story of Good vs. Evil.”.

    Read More

  • The Epic Of Grendel's Metaphamental Monsters In Beowulf

    1017 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf outlines turmoil between three opponents: Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the Dragon. These separate discords each serve to fulfill different metaphoric purposes. Grendel’s character epitomizes the adverse persona of how an Anglo-Saxon warrior should not be. His mother represents everything that a woman during the time era should seldom be. Lastly, the Dragon embodies all the values that an Anglo-Saxon king should not dare retain. Without a doubt, the symbolic implications of the monsters in Beowulf bring the context to a new level of understanding.

    Read More

  • grendelbeo Epic of Beowulf Essay - The Evil of Grendel

    946 Words  | 2 Pages

    The story of Beowulf, written during Anglo-Saxon times, is a classic epic tale between good versus evil.  It is a story that gives us insight into the values of the Anglo-Saxon people.  The Anglo-Saxons glorified heroism and the conquering of evil.  In the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, the character of Grendel symbolically represents evil through his setting and heritage, his hateful attitude toward men, and his vicious acts of murder.

    Read More

  • Sir Gawain vs Beowulf

    2062 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...ash between good and evil. Beowulf is a representation of a Godly figure, possibly Christ, whereas his enemies represent figures of darkness, possibly Satan. Due to his battle with Grendel, Beowulf realises the true abilities of Gods power and develops into a more Saint like character who is more concerned with giving help rather than Gaining fame. He seeks Gods guidance, but looks to pagan ideals when he deems so. Although he never completely takes complete advantage of Gods power, he does earn the fame and glory that he fought bravely for.

    Read More

  • Is Beowulf An Epic Hero

    1052 Words  | 3 Pages

    The story of “Beowulf” begins at a time where a great hero is needed. This is where Beowulf’s character takes the initial place of an epic hero. In the first story of “Beowulf,” Beowulf takes on the responsibility of destroying the great threat, Grendel. This immediately shows the courage, honor and bravery of Beowulf. When Beowulf sailed to the Danes to kill Grendel, he was not searching for money, he was simply putting the Geats lives before his own. Beowulf was not yet

    Read More

  • Salvation And Temptationation In Beowulf: Salvation Vs. Temptation

    1226 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf is the answer to the prayers for a hero, a savior, for someone to rid Danes of this monstrosity that is Grendel. Just as God hears the prayers of his followers, Beowulf is miraculously informed of this devastated town and takes matters into his own hands to save those who have fallen to the evil of Grendel by spreading the Lord’s righteousness.

    Read More

  • The Symbolism in Beowulf

    837 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf is an interesting story in that it has a meaning that is firmly rooted in fantasy creatures based in mythical origins while providing insight into religious ideals and practices of the time. It also speaks of tradition and the struggle of man against things perceived as evil. In this tradition especially, Beowulf is an incredible allegory regarding the struggle of good and evil in the Christian tradition.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Grendel and the Dragon in Beowulf

    1277 Words  | 3 Pages

    “In my youth I engaged in many wars”, Beowulf boasts to his warriors, which is certainly true. Throughout his life, he faces many deadly foes, all of which he handily defeats, save one. His story focuses on the most challenging, as well as morally significant of foes, Grendel and the dragon. These creatures reveal much about society as well as Christian virtue at the time. Even after Grendel and the dragon are defeated physically, the two monsters pose a new threat to the hero on a higher plane. Beowulf is not only at risk of losing his life, but his humanity, virtue, and even spirituality.

    Read More

  • Good vs. Evil in "Beowulf"

    924 Words  | 2 Pages

    Christian symbolism in Beowulf is extremely obvious and prominent throughout the entirety of the poem. The author utilizes the Christian religion to symbolize the elements of good and evil and Heaven and Hell to help the spread of understanding of the religion throughout time.

    Read More

  • The Battle Between Good And Evil In Beowulf

    472 Words  | 1 Pages

    Good and Evil- The entire poem of Beowulf deals with the battle of good verses evil, good being Beowulf, his followers, Hrothgar, and Hrothgar's people, and evil being Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. In this poem the power of good overcomes all the evils, but not without the lose of life. These lives include that of Beowulf, Aeschere, and many of Hrothgar's people. The clashing of good and evil forces was the main method of creating interest and suspense in the poem.

    Read More

  • Beowulf as the Archetypal Germanic Hero

    2093 Words  | 5 Pages

    The epic and oral poem Beowulf illustrates a loss of community, cultural values, and tradition. Beowulf, the main character, is an ideal king and archetypal warrior. History is relevant to Beowulf; this Germanic society was being taken over by Christian missionaries who were seeking to convert this culture. The character of Beowulf is a reflection of the Germanic culture's virtues; heroism is emphasized in the text's multiple references and constant focus on heroes and what it is to be a hero. Beowulf, who is reflective of an older generation of heroes, strives for community. In contrast, Christianity's focus is on the individual. This conflict is ended once Beowulf, a figure of the past and the old world, passes on. With Beowulf, the hero dies. Hence, Beowulf's efforts to keep his culture and his ethics alive are impossible as war and Christianity conquer the Germanic land.

    Read More

  • Christianity & Paganism in Beowulf

    474 Words  | 1 Pages

    Beowulf was written in the time when the society was in the process of converting from Paganism to Christianity. In this epic poem, these two religions come through the actions of its characters. The acceptance of feuds and the courage of war are just a few examples of the Pagan tradition, while the Christian mortalities refrain from the two.

    Read More

  • A Comparison of Beowulf and Grendel

    947 Words  | 2 Pages

    The story of Beowulf is a heroic epic chronicling the illustrious deeds of the great Geatish warrior Beowulf, who voyages across the seas to rid the Danes of an evil monster, Grendel, who has been wreaking havoc and terrorizing the kingdom. Beowulf is glorified for his heroic deeds of ridding the land of a fiendish monster and halting its scourge of evil while the monster is portrayed as a repugnant creature who deserves to die because of its evil actions. In the epic poem, Beowulf the authors portrays Grendel as a cold-hearted beast who thrives on the pain of others. Many have disagreed with such a simplistic and biased representation of Grendel and his role in the epic poem. John Gardner in his book, Grendel set out to change the reader’s perception of Grendel and his role in Beowulf by narrating the story through Grendel’s point of view. John Gardner transforms the perceived terrible evil fiend who is Grendel into a lonely but intelligent outcast who bears a striking resemblance to his human adversaries. In Grendel, John Gardner portrays Grendel as an intelligent being capable of rational thought as well as displaying outbursts of emotion. He portrays Grendel as a hurt individual and as a victim of oppression ostracized from civilization. The author of Beowulf portrays Grendel as the typical monster archetype as compared to John Gardner’s representation of Grendel as an outcast archetype.

    Read More

More about Beowulf Good Vs Evil Essay

Open Document