The Wages of Sin is Death
The story of Beowulf has presented itself as an epic poem for an extended period. It has introduced a multitude of conflicts, including those related to the internal and external conflicts of the main characters. These conflicts shroud the underlying relation between each character and their daily actions. Evidence has come to light regarding the characters and their correlation to the seven deadly sins. Beowulf frequently describes deadly sins and virtues retained by several characters, coinciding with the well-known Roman Catholic theology of the seven deadly sins and Greek theology of the seven virtues throughout this epic poem.
Seven deadly sins theology derives from the Roman Catholic era in the fourth century
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Grendel’s envy sparks from his ancestor, Cain, alluding to the Christian parable of Cain and Able. Cain envied his brother’s blessing, eventually killing him. As punishment, God drove Cain out of the land, prompting Cain to exclaim, “Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."(New International Version, Genesis 4:14). Much like his ancestor, Grendel lives in envy due to his inability to receive blessings. God cursed Grendel from approaching the throne and became His outcast. Grendel’s release from misery and envy came from his ability to kill others, such as his moments grabbing over thirty men and carrying the men to his lair to kill them. Connections in the poem represent the relation Christian stories of Cain’s murders and how Grendel kills others. The connections include references to the great flood, concurring with Grendel’s residence, as well as Cain’s murderous adventures related to Grendel’s killing sprees (Little). These connections become clear and evident as the poem …show more content…
Charity not only means love, but it also has an exterior meaning of beneficence (Obstat). Beowulf’s benefice aided the people of Heorot in times of need and struggle. He also represents the virtue of diligence and prudence. Both virtues hold a vice that they counteract (Obstat). Beowulf had an established sense of diligence and prudence while protecting his men who fought alongside him. Prudence goes against the vice of negligence (Obstat), proving that Beowulf did have a sense of prudence. The prudence of Beowulf goes recognized at the end of the epic poem by the statement, “They said that of all the kings upon the earth, he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.” (Heaney 3180-3182). Beowulf’s prudence and diligence to serve and protect the people did not go unnoticed even after his
In Beowulf, the essence left behind by a true hero is extremely important. In epics such as this one, leaders tend to have the determination and boldness of a hero. On the other hand, the main character, Beowulf, does not only display these certain traits. In this heroic poem, respect and trust come naturally. Honor and integrity are present throughout the poem. There are many moments in Beowulf that manifest the many traits that a person should have. This proves how important these attributes are to the characters and the Anglo-Saxon society. Although Beowulf has no known author, it embodies many of the beliefs and morals of the early Germanic society. The author of this epic poem uses many approaches in order to demonstrate that respect and trust are fundamental characteristics of a leader and hero.
In the epic Beowulf, the reader can clearly find the very distinct conflicts, although some go unnoticed. This poem came to be around the birth of Christianity and the dying out of paganism. In Beowulf, the battles between the monsters and the warriors are interpreted as a battle between the old way of faith and the coming of Christianity. Beowulf himself comes across many conflicts of his own. A literary critic, Alfred Bammesberger, analyzed the person who gives Beowulf the idea to go to Herot and fight Grendel, “.... Beowulf wanting to fight single-handed and challenge Grendel based on the information he had given to his uncle, the Great King Hygelac” (Bammesberger). The Danish king asks not for help however, Beowulf goes anyways. While he has many physical battles with enemies, he also has internal conflicts that seem to hold heavy in his mind. These conflicts include but are not limited to, “Battle of Grendel”, “The Battle with Grendel’s Mother” and “The Last Battle.”
Grendel is the spawn of the greatest sin in the Anglo-Saxon era -- fratricide. Fratricide is the slaying of one's own brother. Cain was cursed by God, forced to have hardship in tilling the soil and was given a mark on his head. God's wrath would not allow Cain to abandon his sin, by death, and his curse carried on throughout the life of mankind. To read the complete story of Cain and his brother Abel, click here The sin of fratricide did not only mean blood-related family, but applied to the murder of kinsmen.
After being introduced to Heorot, the new mead hall the reader becomes acquainted with Grendel, “Grendel was the name of this grim demon / haunting the marches, marauding around the heath / and the desolate fens; he has dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, / Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed / and condemned as outcast” (Heaney 9/100). Through this first encounter with Grendel, the reader learns that he has been haunting and marauding uncivilized lands up to this point with other monsters, because he appears directly after the introduction of the new mead hall it can be assumed that he has found a new place to haunt. Grendel along with the other monsters who are thought to have patrolled the area are referred to as Cain’s clan referring to the Old Testament story about Cain and Able, the sons of Adam and Eve. In the story, Cain kills Able out of jealousy and is condemned by God. Murder is considered an irrational and radical act, and the comparison of Grendel to the “first murderer” project these characteristics onto him. Later, after Grendel’s second attack on the mead hall the Danes realize that the attack
The Old English epic poem Beowulf poses something for an enigma for scholars. The poet was surely a Christian, but the poem depicts a pagan society, so what sort of religion is being expressed. Most recent scholars have argued for a Christian reading, but others still hold out for a pagan one. Some have suggested Christian-pagan syncretism. Pagan beliefs involve sacrifices to the old stone Gods, making heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s support, the devil’s guidance in driving their affliction off. This was their way and the Heathen’s only hope.Some suggest Christian-pagan syncretism. Anglo-Saxon epic heroes are willing to put their own lives in danger for the greater good. Beowulf highlights the code’s points of tension by relating circumstances
Damrosch, David, and David L. Pike. “Beowulf.” The Longman Anthology of World Literature, Compact Edition. New York: Pearson, Longman, 2008. 929-970. Print.
For a hero Beowulf lacks a lot of morals and compassion. This is shown here
The theme of selflessness is shown among the character Beowulf through his courageous spirit to help others in need. If you remember in the beginning of the epic poem, Beowulf travels “to the lands of the Danes” to help silence the feud
This quote is one of many examples of Beowulf’s pride. Beowulf, a strong warrior, wants to fight Grendel, a malicious monster. Although his adventure is seen to benefit his honor and glory, he is thoughtful of others and gives his time, labor, and treasures to them. The Anglo-Saxons hold a high respect for pride and sacrifice. Beowulf’s lust for glory and pride is obvious he wants to be known and feared. But throughout the story there is an unspoken tone about his constant charity. When he fights a monster for
Beowulf, written between the 8th and 10th centuries, is an epic poem set in southern Sweden. The poem illustrates the Anglo-Saxon’s strong belief in the heroic code. The loyalty between the warrior and his king bound the culture together. The warrior was the ultimate hero who represented strength and courage. Beowulf, the hero in the poem, illustrates the Germanic principles of the heroic code. Through the battles and character interactions, Beowulf converges loyalty, strength, courage and forgiveness into the hero archetype.
...r dying son, Grendel himself, who may appear vengeful, is truly acting out of jealousy and a sense of resentment towards people happier than him. The dragon also acts out of a sense of vengeance, but its actions are ultimately used to create a fateful deathbed for Beowulf. While he Beowulf masks his true intentions with a pretense of vengeance, Beowulf himself best describes the sense of revenge in the poem.
Through Grendel's own hatred and anger, he brings his own downfall. The "sin-stained demon" has his roots in the vile creature Cain. Since Grendel is spawned from Cain, he can never feel the love of God or of people: ". . . God, / Whose love Grendel could not know." (84-85). It is because of this, that Grendel hates every mortal being he lays his eyes upon. Hatred leads to anger, constant anger, ". . . bearing God's hatred, / Grendel came, hoping to kill" (393-394). Fear is Grendel's other major flaw, "His mind was flooded with fear . . ." (435). Through his hatred and fear, Grendel seals his own fate.
Beowulf is an epic poem telling the story of Beowulf, a legendary Geatish hero who later becomes king in the aforementioned epic poem. While the story in and of itself is quite interesting, for the purpose of this paper it is important to look at the character more so then his deeds, or rather why he did what he did.
“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.
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.