Louis Sanclemente
Ms. Comtois
A-Day
Block-B
September 2008
Brit. Lit.
Fate and Christianity
Fate and Christianity are important themes in Beowulf. Beowulf strong believed in Fate, and was not afraid of death, because life or death was controlled by God. Beowulf fought many monsters and creatures and demons. However Fate led him to defeating Grendel and remained king for 50 years. Nevertheless Fate does lead Beowulf to his last and final battle.
In the Bible Cain and Abel were the first two sons of Adam and Eve. Like Cain who murdered his brother Abel, Grendel is also immoral. “He was spawned in that slime, conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever for the crime of Abel’s death.” (pg. 21 lines 19-23). In Christianity, killing anyone, especially your brother is a terrible sin. However Cain was vicious enough to do such a thing. Grendal was born of Cain, so Grendel must be a very unpleasant and sinful. Nevertheless, Beowulf is God-like himself, proving that good can defeat the wicked and the wrong.
Grendal is so iniquitous that he cannot make contact with the king’s throne because it is protected by God. “Though he lives in Herot, when the night hid him, he never dared to touch king Hrothgar’s glorious Throne, protected by God-God, whose love Grendel could not know.” (pg. 22-23 lines 81-85.) Grendel is bad that he is reprobated from God’s love and peace. Because Grendel opposes God with so much passion, he can not even touch the king’s throne. Even though Grendel devilish ways remain the same, he is still defeated by the good that is inside Beowulf.
Beowulf would rather fight and die, compared to not fighting at all. “When we crossed the sea, my comrades and I, already knew that all my purpose was this: to win the good will of your people or die in battle, pressed in Grendal’s fierce grip. Let me live in greatness and my courage or here in this hall welcome my death.” (pg. 30 lines 364-369.) If Beowulf is meant to die, he will accept it because he deeply believes his life is controlled by Fate. Yes, Beowulf does care a lot about his reputation, but he wouldn’t be such a great hero, if his belief in Fate was weak. Moreover, it’s hard to lose if you don’t have fear, in addition with God’s love in your side.
There many themes in Beowulf. Fate and Christianity are major parts of this epic tale. Beowulf is a Christian, who proves that good conquers evil. Furthermore, his belief in Fate allows him to enter every battle without fear. If he is supposed to die, he will die fighting, which he feels, is dying with honor.