Beowulf Good Vs Evil Essay

Beowulf is a simple epic with underlying themes of good versus the evil, the human dependency and hope of the light in life overpowering the dark. This is supported through the depiction of Grendel as mankind’s enemy and Beowulf being their savior. Furthermore Grendel is the representation of humanity gone wrong and touching at the Christian influences used on the epic. Beowulf stands for hope, he’s the purity and light brought it to selflessly save the Dane’s as they face Grendel who stands for the sins and evil of the world and it’s a classic fight between good and evil as good so effortlessly triumphs over evil and forces it to be stripped of its egotistical ways as it faces its end.

In addition, the poem of Beowulf is a mixture of both Christian and Germanic warrior values and their pagan beliefs. This makes room for many

Christian themes within the story. For example, the fact stated that Grendel is said to come from the line of Cain is significant considering Cain was the first murderer in the bible. Cain killing his brother Abel due to jealousy represents an evil line. Beowulf stands as the place of Christ in a way and how he selflessly comes into the picture and saves the day. The epic is a representation of Christianity being the light that fights of the sin of the world, and of Grendel who is the downfall of mankind and viewed as demonic as the devil himself.

Also, Herot stands as the inner conscious of a person because of how it withstood the fight and damage inflicted upon it during the fight between Grendel and Beowulf. As they hit against the walls and tossed and turned it signified the shifting feelings and inner strength people have to try and make the right decision as evil tempts them in life. After the defeat of Grendel when Beowulf then has to fight his mother and wins by beheading her and Grendel. This may stand for the way evil can come back into someone’s life even after they believe to have defeated it. It is questioned if Beowulf fights only to help others or to help himself and his reputation.

He has done this for fame and glory, or to protect the people threatened by those foul creatures? This plays at the wavering question of what is truly good and what is beneficial masked by the idea of helping others.

Beowulf fights all three monsters alone to decrease causalities and to die an honorable death.

He wanted to give it his all or die trying. Pride is a big factor in the analysis of Beowulf and is one of the oldest and most consequential displays of personality. Going back to the theme of evil versus good pride comes into play considering it is one of the most deadly of sins and to some the original sin. Beowulf fights for pride, glory, and fame above all things and goes into battle with confidence. It is not his fault considering he is only just a man who is liable to sin but is his fault as he represents himself to be something greater than that. Evil lies in Beowulf too, but not direct and not as whom he is as a person. Evil sneaks its way into Beowulf in a way to set up his downfall. As now the king of his people at the time of the attack of the dragon in the story Beowulf takes on once again the role of hero and savior for his people. Although, he has become old by this time and knows that his end is near so he defeats the dragon but pays with his life to do so. He dies a noble death like he wished and embodying the meaning of a true

hero.

The epic/poem depicts the wavering ways of good versus evil and the struggles of overcoming evil itself. Christianity comes into play as it views the story in a way of black and white and views Beowulf as the savior and the monsters as the devil itself and other sins that try to plague the world. Although, pride and other factors complicate things as the question of

Beowulf’s own sinless ways come into light. The poem is of classic light against darkness and all that is good. In addition, the poem shows the idea of hope and bravery overcoming evil and death. Good versus evil is not clean cut and easy to spot as hidden in the poem, it is the hope that good things will triumph and all is possible through confidence and faith, especially in the views of Christianity.