Warrior Values and Christian Values in Poem Beowulf Essay Example
Introduction
Beowulf is one of the oldest poems that still exist. Throughout the poem, the author mainly focuses on warrior values as well as Christian values, and it is this simultaneous combination that makes this piece of work stands out. Although the author of the poem is unknown, the poem is traced back to the Anglo-Saxon people that were known due to the numerous battles that they fought. The Anglo-Saxons were fearless warriors that possessed values such as bravery as well as loyalty and honor (Garcia). These values are clearly depicted by Beowulf, the protagonist of the poem. From the early stages of the poem to its conclusion, Beowulf is portrayed as a brave warrior, for instance, he fights Grendel without his sword or helmet (Beowulf 672). Beowulf’s decision to help the Danes fight Grendel and his mother was purely out of loyalty. Hrothg
...ar had played a significant role in helping Beowulf’s father end a feud that he once started; hence, Beowulf traveled to Danes in a move to return the favor on behalf of his father. This becomes evident when Hrothgar claims that “…Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance… (Beowulf 472)” However, despite these warrior values, the poet also reflects Christian values as well, for example, the author claims that Grendel was a descendant of the Biblical Cain, “…the Lord’s outcast… (Beowulf 169)” Besides providing a detailed analysis of both the warrior and Christian values as portrayed in the poem Beowulf, the study also discusses how the values of each were interwoven and co-existed.
Warrior Values in Beowulf Poem
Historically, warriors were always regarded as brave individuals that were not only loyal but also fearless of
their own death. Throughout the poem, the author features these values on numerous occasions. For example, the author portrays Beowulf as a brave warrior that is also loyal and fearless. The bravery aspect of warriors is seen when Beowulf travels to Danes in a move to help King Hrothgar to fight Grendel, a monster that is causing havoc. Beowulf’s bravery also comes out during his conversation with Hrothgar. During the talk, Beowulf boasts of his bravery by claiming that everyone in the Geats “…knew my awesome strength… (Beowulf 418)” This value comes out clearly during his fight with Grendel. Before engaging in a battle with Grendel, Beowulf gets rid of his sword as well as the helmet. According to him, “…when it comes to fighting, I count myself as dangerous any day as Grendel… (Beowulf 677-678)” Apart from Grendel, Beowulf also goes in pursuit of Grendel’s mother as well as an unnamed dragon and engages them in gruesome fights, but he eventually comes out victorious.
Historically, brave warriors were fearless of death. It was because of this fearlessness that made them engage in bloody fights. The poem depicts Beowulf as one of the fearless Anglo-Saxon warriors who later on rose to become the king of Geats. Throughout the poem, Beowulf uses his courage as well as physical strength to rescue people that are in dire need of help. During this rescue missions, Beowulf comes face-to-face with ferocious beasts and hideous monsters such as the dragon and Grendel respectfully. Despite these encounters, Beowulf remains courageous and is not shaken by the threat of the imminent death. Apart from Beowulf, Wiglaf is also another warrior that portrays the
value of fearlessness. When the rest of the troops that had accompanied Beowulf to fight the dragon ran for their lives, Wiglaf remains behind and assists his king in defeating the dragon. According to Wiglaf, “…a warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame… (Beowulf 2890-2891)” Besides his fearlessness, Beowulf also possesses several heroic traits as well, for example, he puts the welfare of other people before himself. This quality is seen when he risks his life by traveling to Danes just to assist in fighting the monster that has been tormenting residents of the city.
Loyalty is another warrior value that features prominently in the poem. First, Beowulf’s trip to Danes was an act of loyalty, and this is because it was in a move to return a favor to an action that King Hrothgar had done to his father many years ago. Secondly, warriors were always expected to be loyal to their kings. It is the responsibility of warriors to guarantee the king’s safety and make sure that nothing evil befalls him. While in the mead hall, the King Hrothgar is in the company of his loyal warriors. When Grendel attacks the mead hall, he could not get to the treasure seat because “…he was kept from approaching… (Beowulf 168-169) ” By this statement, it is evident that Grendel could not get to Hrothgar because he was under the protection of his warriors that were willing to die in the hands of Grendel just to ensure their king’s safety. The loyalty value of warriors is also portrayed fifty years later when Beowulf is king and is in pursuit of a dragon that
is causing havoc to the residents of Geatland. However, instead of assisting their king who seemed to be overpowered by the dragon, the warriors retreated, apart from Wiglaf. Upon realizing that his Lord was fighting a losing battle, “…one hand brandished the yellow-timbered shield, the other drew his sword… (Beowulf 2609-2610)”
Christian Values in Beowulf Poem
Besides the warrior values, the author also features a lot of Christian values in the Beowulf piece of work. According to the religious views depicted in the poem, man is rewarded and punished for his deeds both in life as well as after death (Beck). Throughout the poem, the author portrays Beowulf as a religious individual who repeatedly acknowledges that God is not only his protector but also the reason behind his success. While preparing to fight Grendel’s mother, Beowulf is not shaken by the fact that he might die, and this is because he believes that it is up to God to decide who dies and who lives. Additionally, Beowulf also believes that if he were to die instead of Grendel’s mother, he would die of honor as it will be the will of God. After engaging in a battle with Grendel’s mom that resulted in her death, Beowulf acknowledges that “…if God had not helped me, the outcome would have been quick and fatal… (Beowulf 1657-1658)” With this statement, Beowulf is portrayed as a religious individual that gives all the credit to God for helping him defeat Grendel and his mother. The warrior believes that he would have died while fighting Grendel’s mom if it were not for God’s protection. While still talking about his fight with Grendel’s mother,
Beowulf gives gratitude to God for letting him spot “…an ancient sword shining on the wall… (Beowulf 1663)”
Apart from Beowulf, Christian aspects are also portrayed by King Hrothgar when he was praising Beowulf for killing Grendel’s mother. During this scene, Hrothgar acknowledges the fact that it is only God that grants earthly success, and that it is the responsibility of man to handle the success with humility least he loses everything. Hrothgar then gives the example of a selfish king that was granted heavenly powers, instead, “…he covets and resents; dishonors custom and bestows no gold… (Beowulf 1749-1750)” By using the phrase “he covets,” the author reminds the reader of the ten commandments of God that were given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. In the poem, the author claims that Grendel and his mother are descendants of the Biblical Cain, “…the Lord’s outcast… (Beowulf 169)” Biblically, Cain was the God’s outcast since he attacked his brother and killed him (Genesis 4:8). As a punishment, God cursed Cain and his lineage by claiming that they would be restless wanderers on earth. Since all descendants of Cain were cursed, it becomes evident that Beowulf won the battle against Grendel and his mother because he had the favor of God. While reading the poem, one also realizes that the role played by Beowulf is similar to that of Jesus Christ. Just the way Jesus Christ was sent to earth to save humankind, Beowulf also travels from Geats to Danes in a move to save the residents of this city. Whereas Jesus dies after accomplishing his mission earth, Beowulf’s death comes also occurs after he defeats all the enemies
and monsters that have been tormenting people.
Conclusion
Beowulf is an epic English poem that was probably composed during the 8th century. Despite the fact that the author of the poem is unknown, this piece of work was traced back to the Anglo-Saxon people. The poem mainly revolves around Beowulf, a fearless warrior that comes to the aid of King Hrothgar whose city of Danes has had no peace due to frequent attacks by Grendel and his mother. Although the author talks about many aspects, warrior, and Christian values feature the most. Some of the warrior values features in the poem include bravery, loyalty, courage, fearlessness, and honor. Historically, warriors were expected to remain loyal to their king. This aspect is seen Danes when the king’s warriors protect Hrothgar after Grendel attacks the mead hall. However, unlike Hrothgar’s, Beowulf’s warriors don’t possess the loyal aspect, and this is because they flee after realizing that their king was fighting a losing battle with the dragon. Apart from warrior values, the author also includes in the poem several Christian values as well. Throughout the poem, Beowulf recognizes God as his protector, and this is because he is the reason behind his success in wars. While narrating about his fight with Grendel’s mother, Beowulf attributes his victory to God by claiming that it was he that enabled him to spot the sword that he used to kill Grendel’s mom.
Work Cited
- Beck, Sanderson. Beowulf and Irish Legends. 2009. Web. 8th October 2016. < http://www.san.beck.org/AB16-Franks613-899.html>
- Garcia, Christopher. “The Anglo-Saxon Hero.” Pace University. n.d. web. 8th October 2016. < http://csis.pace.edu/grendel/Proj2004A1/hero.html>
- Greenblatt, Stephen, and M H. Abrams. The Norton Anthology of English Literature: Volumes A,
B, C., 2012. Print.
