Few Of The Many Themes In Beowulf example essay topic

Beowulf is a story centered around a man and his fights with monsters. He was a warrior who fulfilled his obligations as a hero; as a protector of his people, the Geats, and also the Swedes and the Danes. There are three main themes that can be found in Beowulf, one of which, being main theme, heroism. Beowulf fights the monsters with more than physical courage, he boldly protected the people willingly to his death.

Along with heroism, blood-feuds is another theme emphasized in Beowulf. The life in this period consisted of different clans that were constantly battling each other in order to seek revenge for past feuds. The third and final theme discussed will be Christianity and fate. Though Beowulf is not a Christian poem, Beowulf relies on God and puts his trust in Him and the outcome of a battle was attributed to the judgement of God. These three themes create an image for Beowulf that boldly explains to he reader about what life was like in the Anglo-Saxon period. The main theme in Beowulf is heroism.

Being a hero involves far more than physical courage. It also means that the warrior must fulfill his obligations to the group of which he is a key member. There is a clear-cut network of duties depicted in the poem. For example, warriors during this period were expected to show undivided loyalty to their lord, and their king rewards them with valuable gifts for their defense of the tribe and their success in battle. Only in this way can the society survive. Because the world depicted in Beowulf is a ruthless and dangerous one, the warriors must be prepared for battle at all times.

Only in the Mead-hall was there any protection from the dangers of the world outside. This is why the coming of Grendel is so traumatic for the Danes, they were attacked in their 'safe place. ' When Beowulf defeated Grendel he was proving his strength as a warrior and a leader. Beowulf is the greatest of heroes depicted in the poem not only because he has the greatest prowess in battle, but he also fulfills his social obligations. He has virtues of a civilized man, as well as strength as a warrior.

The following lines give an example of how Beowulf is depicted in the poem: .".. a good man and strong, strongest of all in that broad kingdom born for deliverance, shaped for that hour", (lines 196-198). Beowulf does not fail his people, even at the end, when as an old man he goes forward without hesitation to battle the dragon. He faces up to his destiny, his fate, without flinching. Heroism is an important theme of this book because throughout the story, Beowulf is always stepping into his call of duty by protecting the people in which he is obligated to protect. This theme tells the reader that people relied on strong-willed heroes, such as Beowulf, to serve and protect them from their enemies. Although Beowulf is in some aspects a Christian poem, the social code emphasizes justice rather that mercy.

The code of the warrior society is a simple, yet harsh one. Its blood for blood. If there is killing, the clan that has suffered the most always seeks revenge. Since feuds between different clans break out regularly, the effect is to create a never-ending process of retaliation.

This is why blood-feuds is an important theme to consider when reading Beowulf. It is this, along with the presence of monsters, that give the poem a dark atmosphere. The awareness that a feud is about to reopen supplies much concern for the different clans. For example, with Beowulf their protector gone, the Geats fear that old feuds with the Swedes will be resumed, and they will suffer the most from it. Various blood-feuds in the past are alluded to many times in the poem. The most vivid description is in the long section (lines 1063-1159) in which the minstrel sings of the saga of Finn and his sons, which is about a feud between the Frisians and the Danes.

"Nor was Hildeburh's heart rewarded by that hostile truce-tormented queen bereft of loved ones by linden-shield play her brother and son slain in treachery by deep spear-bites-dark was her morning. With heavy heart-thoughts Hoc's daughter-child measured destiny when darkness paled when the gray light sky spread before her eyes black murder-bale. Battle-slaughter won fetched from life-breath Finn's warrior-thanes all but a few-ended at last", (lines 1071-1081) This blood-feud between the Frisians and the Danes gives the reader a detailed picture about what battles and wars were like in Beowulf's time. There was one other way of settling disputes in these societies, and that was through the payment of compensation in gold. This was literally the 'death-price. ' The death-price was an agreed upon price that the dead man was considered to be worth.

This practice is referred to in the lines about Grendel's attacks on Hrothgar's mead hall. "No plans for payment passed through that mind money or gold gifts remorse for slaughter-no somber mourners sued for revenge death-settlement from that demon's hands", (lines 155-158). It is important for the reader to know and understand the blood-feuds because they help create a picture of how cruel and devastating the battles were between man and monster were in this time. The third and final theme of Beowulf involves Christianity and fate. There are many references in the poem to the Christian belief in one almighty God who takes a personal interest in human affairs. One example of this would be when Hrothgar and Beowulf gave praise to God for the defeat of Grendel.

The outcome of the battles is attributed to the judgement of God, and Beowulf put his trust in God. "Tomorrow you will find at rising of light the Ruler's judgement", (line 440-441). Plan chard 4 The scriptural references however, are restricted to the Old Testament rather than the New. The story of Cain and Abel is mentioned, for example, in explaining the origins of Grendel.

"The Shaper banished him unshriven away with the kin of Cain killer of his blood", (lines 106-107). Another example would be the sword hilt of Grendel's mother is engraved with a depiction of the flood described in the book of Genesis. But Beowulf makes no mention at all of Christ, or an afterlife in heaven for the believer. The burial rites described, in which warriors are buried with their treasure, does not suggest belief in a Christian Heaven. How fundamental is Christianity to the poem? Beowulf is not a thoroughly Christian work, but in a society were revenge is the ultimate goal, saying that it was God's judgement could justify the outcome of a battle.

The atmosphere of Beowulf is dark and pagan. There are many references to an impersonal fate that controls the destinies of men. Therefore, the two perspectives, paganism and Christianity, co-exist in the poem. "Wyrd is determined!" (line 455) says Beowulf, only a few lines after he has referred to the judgement of God. Not long after this does Beowulf tells of his battles with sea monsters, and he says, "Wyrd often spares an un doomed man when his mind-strength prevails", (lines 572-573). He does not say that God spares man.

And there are many examples like the poets words", Bereft of the remorse from the love exiled lost and graceless he growled with envy glared above them towering with rage", (line 119-122) does not suggest Christian hope and joy. Understanding the religious relation within the story helps the reader to understand the mindsets of the warriors and leaders and how their gods influenced their lives. These three themes are just a few of the many themes in Beowulf. From blood-thirsty wars to God's wrath, the story of Beowulf depicts interesting themes that are valuable to the reader.

In conclusion, understanding these themes will create a better understanding of the poem, therefore enabling the further understanding of what life was like in the Anglo-Saxon period.