Beowulf Theme Essay

The most important theme in Beowulf is identity, in the sense of who our epic hero, Beowulf, is and how he is also portrayed. As the main character, Beowulf exemplifies valiant qualities throughout this epic poem through instances such as his encounters with Grendel, Grendel’s mom and the dragon. Although Beowulf may have been blessed with valor-like qualities from birth, how others viewed him and his reputation played a vital role in molding him into the identity in which we regard as a hero. His reputation as this unstoppable warrior grows each obstacle he faces and conquers, and creates this prideful being, which is his potential downfall. His demise is apparent with his battle with the dragon, which is important because it reminds us that Beowulf isn’t as mighty as

These concepts are what in fact shape Beowulf’s character and thus adds on to his identity. British Literature is also the beginning tellings of Christianity and Paganism within Literature. There are instances throughout Beowulf in which we realize that Beowulf is exposed to both Christian and Pagan elements. After the fight with Grendel’s mom, it is Beowulf himself who says “If God had not helped me, the outcome would have been quick and fatal,” (Beowulf 113) this gives us the sense that God had decided the outcome of the battle before it had started and also to some extent that Beowulf believes in God and his power of miracles. There are paganism elements with Grendel being a descendant of Cain and Grendel’s mother as being evil and demonic beings who basically go against God which is paganist in the eyes of a Christian. In essence, Beowulf is an important text within British Literature because it is the foundation for the earliest British works and also gives us insight on the values Old English societies had by being retold as this form of