Examples Of Courage In Beowulf

“Inspired again by the thought of glory, the war-king threw his whole strength behind a sword-stroke and connected with the skull” (Heaney 181). This quote from the Seamus Heaney translation of Beowulf embodies the warrior mentality that defines courage throughout the poem. Beowulf is driven by the secular version of courage: the thought of glory, heroism, and accomplishment which can be achieved through hard work and dedication to the task. This contrasts with the biblical view of courage which states that courage is to trust and follow God with confidence and boldness. While both of these worldviews require confidence, the biblical definition of courage can only be achieved through and with God.

Throughout the book we see that Beowulf repeatedly

relies on his own strength and willpower to overcome his enemies; but in the end, this fails him. In his battle against the dragon, Beowulf is killed by the dragon. Between Beowulf’s increase in age, and the prowess of the dragon, the outcome of the great battle was certainly not one to which Beowulf was accustomed. Beowulf’s strength, upon which he had depended for so long, had failed him. This is seen in people’s lives today as well. According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, today’s definition of courage is “the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful, instead of withdrawing from it; quality of being fearless or brave; valor” (“Courage”). This secular definition reflects the idea of conquering painful or treacherous obstacles through strength and valor. Where this worldview states that one must not withdraw from a task when being courageous, the biblical view states that sometimes being courageous is knowing when to step back from various situations. Placing one’s life and problems fully into God’s hands is the most courageous action a person can take. A person may overcome some and even multitudes of struggles and problems with the use of strength and willpower, but that will not last. Without God, humans rely completely on themselves to accomplish their goals, and overcome obstacles. It is inevitable that a problem will arise which has more strength than any person can have on their own. This is where the biblical worldview shines. When a person walks with God, when they are at his side, what problem can stop them? The NIV Bible says this in Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (New International Version, Romans 8.31). With the biblical worldview, one can add God to the equation, and with God one can rise above any struggle or obstacle they might face.
Another way the biblical and secular views of courage differ is the motivation behind it.

Beowulf is driven by the thought of glory, fame and renown. He is already widely known for his valor and strength, and yet he desires to prove himself to an even further degree to achieve greater glory. His motivation is recognition for his accomplishments. Beowulf is still quite a leader of men, in spite of his flawed views. His men admire him and follow him. The biblical view of courage is also driven by glory and fame, but not for man, for God. The purpose of people on earth is to bring glory to God and to bring him fame. This is shown in Exodus, “But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9.16). Man’s courage and successes through God are in turn a method of bringing glory to The Creator. People’s accomplishments show God’s power and will at work in and through people’s lives, and serve as a testimony to

others.
Christians are to trust God with the future, rather than one’s self.

As is said in Jeremiah, “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29.11). One knows that they can put their futures in the hands of the loving God because he promises that he has plans for them. Not only does this verse assure somebody that God has a plan for them, it assures them that his plan is all coming together for their good. When one places their fate into the hands of God and give up trying to force their will on their lives, then they will be able to feel the joy of being in God’s will. Romans says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12.2). This differs from the secular view of Beowulf. The only plans for Beowulf’s future were his own. He trusted not in God, but in his own strength and nerve to determine his path. Beowulf believed that his own greatness and power was enough to impose his own will on his life. As Beowulf says "Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked” (Heaney 39). He is asserting that anyone can control their fate through nerve and will-power. This behavior served Beowulf well for the majority of his life, until the time which he met a foe with greater strength and will power he

met his demise.
Beowulf saw courage as strength and standing up on his own will to fight those who opposed it. The Bible sees courage as a trust in The Lord that can only be attained and applied through him. Yet both of these definitions share two things. In both of these instances, courage is the mental and moral strength to persevere and push through periods of danger, opposition, and fear in their lives. The late Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa said “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Both the secular and Christian view of courage, are not the absence of fear, but the opposite of fear. Those who are courageous have the ability to overcome innumerable obstacles, and those who have courage in Christ can move mountains.