Sin and Pride in Beowulf

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To fear the Lord is to hate evil, I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. (Proverb 8:13) Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverb 16:18) Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, with comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. (Galatians 6:4) The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. (James 1:9) What is evil about pride and how it affects the soul of the sinner?

How does Beowulf deal with pride? Beowulf would not back down from a fight with the dragon. He was going into this battle for the first time out of angry and hatred instead of pride and being thankful for the power that God has given him. “I won’t shift a foot/ when I meet the cave-guard” (2524-2525)

“This fight is not yours,

nor is it up to any man except me

to measure his strength against the monster

or to prove his worth. I shall win the gold

by my courage, or else mortal combat,

doom of battle, will bear your lord away” (2532-2537).

“No coward path” (2541), but with the glory to God. Beowulf went “in a storm of anger” and “Hate was ignited” (2552 & 2554). Wiglaf in l. 3077 says, “Often when one man follows his own will/many are hurt.’ This happened to us./Nothing we advised could ever convince. The prince we loved, out land’s guardian, / not to vex the custodian of the gold”. Wiglaf says at Beowulf funeral “What God judge right would rule what happened/ to every man, as it does to this day” (2858-2859).

Pride is a lust of the flesh. John wrote, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world” ( 1 Jn. 2:16). The devil unsuccessfully tempted Jesus by appealing to pride, but the devil succeeded in tempting Eve through pride (Matt. 4:6, Gen 3:6, “make one wise”). Pride instead of actually elevating man, brings man low, goes before destruction, and introduces shame (Prov. 29: 23, 16: 18, 11: 2). Notwithstanding, some rejoice in their pride (cp. Zeph. 3: 11). Pride also produces contention (Prov. 13: 10). Beowulf boasted about his battles, but knew that fate was what had helped him overcome his many battles.

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