Battle Of Grendels Mother And Beowulf example essay topic

Beowulf is an epic poem in which was written during the 8th century. Many scholars believe that the poem had been written in original non-Christian form and then later being translated adding Christian morals. There are a couple of theories in which scholars believe the Christians morals were introduced into the poem. One theory in which has the more popular vote is that the poem was already in poetic form and the authors own beliefs were added later. Secondly, the third theory is that the poem was written by a Christian who heard the story and added some of his own beliefs when he wrote it. In either case, God is portrayed throughout the entire play with comparisons to Beowulf with God and Grendel to Satan.

While many pagan influences appear in the poem, the story is dominated by Christian overtones. In the poem Beowulf, Grendel, the monster, can be portrayed in comparison to Satan (the Devil). The story mentions that Grendel is a descendent from Cain, who was the very first person to commit murder. Like Cain, Grendel was banished by God. Living in what the poem calls the underwater it is described almost similar as to what hell might be described: "They live in secret places, windy cliffs, wolf dens where water pours from rocks, then runs underground, where mist steams like black clouds, and the groves of trees growing out over the lake are all covered with frozen spray and wind down snakelike roots that reach as far as the water and keep it dark. At night, that lake burns like a torch.

No one knows its bottom; no wisdom reaches such depth (Beowulf, II. 1358). Kroll-2 The place that he calls home is set far apart from the world in which he tortures. Although Grendel seems to be so far away, he always seems to find his way back to the Danes to Torture them.

Just like in caparison with the devil that although he cannot be physically seen he is always there to tempt us with temptation to stray from what God wants us to do. Grendel is always constantly haunting and torturing the Dane. The author makes it apparent that Grendel does not like the Danes singing praises and rejoices to God. He is always constantly hearing them from afar thus becoming outraged. This shows that Grendel has strong hatred toward God and he proceeds to go to the hall and capture men and eat them while they are asleep. Later in the story, one learns that Grendel is constantly carrying the curse of Cain with him.

Saying, "He bore the curse of the seed of Cain / Whereby God punished the grievous guilt of Abel's murder". This shows us that Grendel had more then just a dislike for men. It showed that Grendel looked as them singing songs as if his ancestor was looked upon as the bad person and was therefore the underlying concept for his rage. However, more importantly than Grendel being compared to Satan is Beowulf being Christ-like throughout the entire poem. Luke 11: 4 states, "Forgiveness, an important virtue in a Christian life". Looking closely at the Bible one can see that Christ gave his life for the sins and lives of those who remain on the earth.

One can also see that even though his own people sold him he still forgave them when he was upon that cross about to die. When Beowulf sees his life ending before he faces the dragon, he decides to forgive his enemies. Even though they feel no remorse or sadness for their evil deeds of kill and murdering kinsmen. Just as Jesus forgives, we need to forgive. Moreover, one can assume by reading Kroll-3 the poem that is what Beowulf may have been trying to tell the Danes and other people of the land. When Beowulf goes up against Grendel in a couple of battles he is seen as a Superhero.

This too can be compared to Christ that he has the power to save peoples lives and heal diseases. Although Christ too is also faced with many challenges and temptations he does not use any sort of weapon just like Beowulf only uses his mere hands. Beowulf has a Christ-like behavior in his good heartedness and charity. He knows that the Danes, who are in much need of a savior, are being tyrannized by the inferior Grendel. Much like Christ knew that the Jews were being oppressed as well.

The author makes quite a bit of similarities between the story and the Christian belief of God. Grendel is portrayed though the play as being a very jealous and unhappy monster. He is the image of a man fallen from grace through sine, like satan who is jealous of the happiness and joy that Adam and Eve have in the Garden of Eden, Grendel too is jealous of the happiness and joy in Heo rot. The dragon is Beowulf's last and greatest battle. The dragon represents malice, greed, and destruction all of which equal to him being a symbol of the power of Satan.

This fight is a realization of the story of salvation where Beowulf, like Christ, gives his life for his people. However, even before this one more comparison can be made between the battle of Grendels mother and Beowulf. When he goes down to the bottom of the mercy pond where awaiting is Grendels mother, he rises from the water a redeemed man much as Christ arose from the tomb. While Beowulf is in the mere, all the thanes that were standing guard by the pond leave except Wig laf, give up hope and leave at the ninth hour.

The same hour in which Christ's death upon the cross. This waiting can also be compared to the apostles waiting for Christ to return from the Garden of Gethsesame. While Christ was in the Garden the apostles gave up hope and fell asleep. Kroll-4 There are comparisons that can be made from Grendel to the Devil and Beowulf to Christ that seem to suggest that the Christian influence may have been more than just a couple of words changed around, then again it could have all been accidental.

One should read, interrupt, and come to their own conclusion.