Beowulf Good Vs Evil

The poet mentions that Grendel is the descendant “Of Cain, murderous creatures banished/ By God punished forever . . . Shut away from me; they split / Into thousand forms of evil” (Beowulf 21-26). This quote is significant because it proves that the monster belongs to the generation of a human being, Cain. However, the Cain’s actions result into the creation of the horrible race of evil monsters. The poet compares Grendel with humans when the fiend’s isolation is related to the Cain’s wrongdoings. Towards the end of the epic, Beowulf’s warriors who abandons him at the time of the battle with the dragon, are also isolated because they conduct a crime by doing so. This shows that the Anglo-Saxon society considers the action of an individual to decide their worth in the society. Because Cain murders Abel, and because the warriors leave Beowulf, their descendants automatically become an outcast in the society. This comparison can be further supported by Wiglaf’s statement to the coward warriors, “none of your race/ Will have anything left but their lives” (Beowulf 859-860). This quote proves that Grendel is similar to human beings because is evil actions render him an outcast just like the actions of the coward warriors recluse them from the society. In conclusion, the poet shows that Grendel and humans have same attributes because evil connects them and isolates them from the

Beowulf demonstrates his loyalty toward his troops and his superiors time and time again throughout the poem. The first time this virtue is demonstrated in the story is when Beowulf shows eagerness to help Hrothgar and the Danes defeat Grendel. Aside from his desire to get rich and famous, Beowulf feels indebted to Hrothgar because he assisted Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow, a long time ago (470). He feels as though he owes Hrothgar his service after what Hrothgar did for his father during a feud. Beowulf also shows loyalty to his king and his homeland by returning home to Geatland after his victory in Denmark. He eventually becomes king of the Geats after Hygelac dies (2370). In this way, he fulfills his loyalty to the king and to his people.

Remembering the kind gesture that King Hrothgar had once done for Beowulf’s father, he shows his respect and loyalty to King Hrothgar by returning the act of kindness. King Hargather had once saved Beowulf’s father from a feud he had with another group of people. Not forgetting this Beowulf comes to Hrothgar’s rescue to return the favor. He also, shows loyalty by protecting the people till his death. After Beowulf was appointed King, he is faithful in keeping his people safe. Although, Beowulf knows that he is too old and weak to kill the dragon, he proceeds with the confrontation because he doesn’t want to let down his people. He stays steadfast to his words and promise to his people. This surely is a heroic character once again portrayed by

The only thane that remains loyal to Beowulf is Wiglaf. Wiglaf becomes the voice of his culture by shaming the other warriors for not remaining loyal to their leader and he fights with Beowulf until they kill the beast together. It can be inferred that loyalty is quite important to the Anglo-Saxon society because as Beowulf dies, he leaves Wiglaf to rule the kingdom due to his bravery and loyalty. Wiglaf is not the only character that shows loyalty to his lord. The young Beowulf shows loyalty to his lord, Hygelac, by giving him the gifts he has received after he has won in battle.

First, loyalty is very important to the Anglo-Saxon people. Loyalty is swearing allegiance to a person, place, or thing. There are many examples of loyalty in Beowulf. Beowulf is exceedingly loyal throughout the entire Anglo-Saxon epic. Beowulf shows loyalty to the Geats and his king. To elaborate, Beowulf shows loyalty to the Geats and his king, Hygelac, by notifying them of his plans to travel to the land of the Danes and help the Danish King, Hrothgar, defeat Cain’s descendant, Grendel, who has been terrorizing Hrothgar’s mead-hall. Beowulf is loyal and seeks the approval of the Geats and Hygelac before anything else(first and foremost), and Beowulf most likely would not have left the land of the Geats to help the Danes if his people and king did not approve. Also, Beowulf demonstrates loyalty to Hrothgar because of an allegiance between Beowulf’s father and Hrothgar. Beowulf helped the Danes for glory and because of a sense of devotion to Hrothgar who once helped Beowulf’s father, Ecgtheow, after he killed a man. Hrothgar paid the death price for

Wiglaf was the only loyal person to Beowulf when he was facing the fire-breathing dragon. Wiglaf symbolizes in this story loyalty within the social or political structure of this story. He is the one who stayed with Beowulf during the fight with the dragon while all the other soldiers fled.Wiglaf was the only loyal person to Beowulf when he was facing the fire-breathing dragon. Wiglaf symbolizes in this story loyalty within the social or political structure of this story. He is the one who stayed with Beowulf during the fight with the dragon while all the other soldiers fled.Wiglaf was the only loyal person to Beowulf when he was facing the fire-breathing dragon. Wiglaf symbolizes in this story loyalty within the social or political structure

Loyalty is a vital characteristic. “ I remember how we sat in the mead hall, drinking and boasting of how we’d be brave when Beowulf needed us. He who gave us these swords and armor: all of us swore to repay him when the time came, kindness for kindness with our lives, if we needed them (pg 60 lines 745-750)”. In this quote, a follower of Beowulf named Wiglaf was expressing his thoughts and feelings as he was watching his great leader die. Wiglaf decided that kindness repays with kindness.Loyalty with loyalty. Beowulf was very loyal to the Geats. What Beowulf said, he meant. This was critical because it reminded Wiglaf how loyal Beowulf had been to him. It would only be right to repay it back to Beowulf, which is what he did. The Geats wouldnt have wanted an unloyal leader and neither would anyone else. By Beowulf actions, words and promises, it showed that he was true to his word and loyal to his

Beowulf first task on his path to gain glory is to defeat the merciless monster Grendel, who haunts Heorot for twelve long winters. If he wins this battle, he does not only gain glory and respect for himself, but also for his king and clan. He exhibits all the great qualities of a person and has a lot of esteem and admiration for his king Hygelac. One of the ways we can show Beowulf’s loyalty to Hygelac is when Beowulf explains to Hrothgar how he was going to fight Grendel “I have heard moreover that

However fate also allows for Wiglaf to also be present in the battle, and his intervention allowed for Beowulf to trade his life for the dragons. Additionally, Wiglaf had been brought to Beowulf’s side in his final moments by fate, to also allow for him to relinquish his warrior kings title and bestow it upon his fellow Great Wiglaf, along with his other finally dying

He is first loyal to his king of the Geats, Hygelac. He is also loyal to his clan, his family. This is the reason why he decided to go to Denmark to help King Hrothgar, because King Hrothgar helped Beowulf’s father with a blood feud by paying off the other side. Even then with that little loyalty, Beowulf eventually looks up to Hrothgar as a father figure or mentor after killing Grendel and his mother. Wiglaf eventually becomes the same type of position as Beowulf.

However, Beowulf shows his loyalty by turning down her offer. He becomes king when Heardred dies. After ruling the Geats for 50 years, Beowulf decides to fight the terrible dragon. He brings eleven warriors with him. While Beowulf struggles fighting the dragon, his warriors hide except for one loyal thane named Wiglaf. Wiglaf tells Beowulf, “’Now, great spirited noble, brave of deeds, you must protect your life with all your might, I shall help you’”(47). He has remained loyal to his king so Beowulf decides to make Wiglaf the king. This gesture again shows how the value of loyalty to one’s king and kingdom will benefit and reward those who are loyal and give them better reputations.

Because of that Grendel's mother wants revenge. Lastly, Grendel's mother was also killed by the lord Beowulf for attacking him at the danes with him and his warriors that were sleeping. The third themes talks about good vs evil. Good vs evil relates to the challenging of Beowulf's mens vs the dragon who is apparently Beowulf son. The dragon grapples and wrestles strikes the people in the danes. Beowulf is the god, who protects the people in the castle and the evil is the dragon who kills his men. Beowulf is absolutely the hero killing the dragon as he attacks their village. There is a second hero who is the only brave helper to attack the dragon “wulfgar” To explain, “wulfgar rushes to Beowulf and stabs the dragon in the belly and the dragon scorches wulfgar hand” (page !9 lines 980) The dragon attacked beowulf in the neck where he started to bleed. That was the prove that beowulf need help fighting the dragon while beowulf is also

Additionally, one can see the importance of the theme when Beowulf battles and defeats Grendel’s mother. Previously, the representation of Beowulf being good was partly because he was fighting for justice. The audience had seen Grendel randomly killing people and so the reason for his defeat was justified. However, killing for justice only goes so far because technically Grendel’s mother killing in response to Grendel’s death was also justified. This situation creates an endless cycle of killing, which ultimately proves that killing for justice does not make one good. The poem still portrays Beowulf as a hero, but now the reason he is a hero is the same reason Grendel’s mother is a villain. Here the theme begins to become clearer because the story is a very opinionated piece, positively centered on the epic hero, which can completely change with one’s perspective.

Beowulf’s men show unquestioning loyalty as they submit their lives to their lord. The night of Beowulf’s fight with Grendel, the men are told by Beowulf to sleep (in the mead hall) and they bravely do, showing immense trust and devotion as they are aware of that they could very well increase their chance of dying when Grendel attacks if they follow as Beowulf instructs (to sleep as opposed to standing guard through the night). Beowulf remains loyal to King Hrothgar and as he promised to purge the mead hall of its murderous foes, he fulfills his pledge by killing not only Grendel, but also Grendel’s mother. Beowulf in turn is also loyal to his men as he states to King Hrothgar, “…if I at your need I should go from life, you would always be in a father’s place for me when I am gone: be guardian of my young retainers, my companions, if battle should take me.” Nor does Beowulf forget his king as he also requests that Hrothgar send the rewarded treasures and gifts to Hygelac if Grendel’s mother defeats him. Wiglaf, portrayed as the only worthy one of Beowulf’s company that joined him at his battle with the dragon, also showed loyalty in his aiding his Beowulf in fighting the dragon (as others cowardly shy away from the fight) and followed Beowulf’s instructions for carrying out his funeral and other processions after Beowulf’s death, and in his speech to the people he

But within one heart sorrow welled up: and a man of worth the claims of kinship cannot be denied. His name was wiglaf, a son of weohstan’s, a well-regarded Shylfing warrior related to Aelfhere.(744-754).” This quote shows that Beowulf's strength and loyalty to himself, the Geats, and the Danes brings companionship and loyalty from others to himself, and because of that he has one person that is willing to help out of a whole army. This proves that a little loyalty can go a long way especially when others or yourself need it.