Fate In Beowulf And The Last Kingdom

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Recommended: Theme of fate in beowulf

More often than not in Anglo-Saxon literature does the prevalence of a unified belief if fate arise and play a part in the various aspects of the lives of many individuals. In Beowulf, this proves to be especially evident. The main character, Beowulf, makes no secret in demonstrating his overwhelming belief in fate and the predetermination of individuals' lives while he is simultaneously forging his own fate through showing multiple heroic traits and proving himself to all people around him. Bernard Cornwell's The Last Kingdom attempts to provide a glimpse into the life of an Anglo-Saxon warrior called Uhtred. Uhtred possesses largely different traits from Beowulf, as Uhtred attempts to form his life around his fate rather than let fate take its own course throughout his life; though, the end result will ultimately be the same for both of the protagonists. In both these works, the topic is fate playing a large part in the lives of Anglo-Saxon individuals, whether they choose to acknowledge it or not. The authors of Beowulf and The Last Kingdom both portray how individuals of Anglo-Saxon culture were not only aware of their fates being predetermined, but they also would …show more content…

In Beowulf, the main protagonist, Beowulf, is no exception to this truth. Beowulf chooses to demonstrate this quite frequently, especially proceeding to or following a feat of his. Beowulf is greatly aware that the results of a particular brawl are already predetermined by a deity superior to himself when he concludes that "the Divine Lord in His wisdom grants the glory of victory to whichever side He sees fit."(685-687) Beowulf speaking of "the Divine Lord" in the first place demonstrates the presence of the awareness of fate in the lives of individuals, proving an even larger point that even the greatest of individuals have to succumb to their predetermined fates, no matter how grandiose they may

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