The Wages of Sin is Death
The story of Beowulf has presented itself as an epic poem for an extended period. It has introduced a multitude of conflicts, including those related to the internal and external conflicts of the main characters. These conflicts shroud the underlying relation between each character and their daily actions. Evidence has come to light regarding the characters and their correlation to the seven deadly sins. Beowulf frequently describes deadly sins and virtues retained by several characters, coinciding with the well-known Roman Catholic theology of the seven deadly sins and Greek theology of the seven virtues throughout this epic poem.
Seven deadly sins theology derives from the Roman Catholic era in the fourth century
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C.E. A mystic named Evagrius of Pontus worked closely with multiple men to come up with the seven deadliest sins in the world (New World Encyclopedia). These deadly sins resemble six things the Lord hates that come from the Holy Bible (Graham 2011), listed in Proverbs 6:17-19, stating that God hates “haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (New International Version) The seven deadly sins adopted by the Roman Catholic church often occupy the walls of Catholic churches. The seven deadly sins include pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth (New World Encyclopedia). Each main character in Beowulf coincides with a prominent deadly sin. Beowulf’s character submerges himself in pride. Pride mostly corresponds with failure, not success (Graham 2011); however, Beowulf continually succeeds in actions he performs. Pride also conflicts with Christian values (Little), as represented thoroughly in the poem. A warrior in this ancient poem must present pride before God, but pride remains a quarreled topic continuously. (Little) Though Beowulf constantly succeeds, his fate quickly catches up with him as he dies in his last battle with the dragon. The Holy Bible states in Proverbs 16:18 that, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (New International Version) Throughout the poem, Beowulf’s need of recognition as the person who saved everyone from that specific situation attacks him. Beowulf makes a formal boast one last time before attacking the dragon, stating that “Now that I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning…” (Heaney 2512 - 2514). The glory of winning overcame Beowulf time after time, leading readers and scholars to believe that no action by Beowulf for the people of Geatland came from the heart. Beowulf’s one goal in life involved bringing honor to his own name, going as far as to allude that he did get chosen to protect Heorot because of his own strength. Grendel, a demon haunting the halls of Heorot, coincides with the sin of envy.
Grendel’s envy sparks from his ancestor, Cain, alluding to the Christian parable of Cain and Able. Cain envied his brother’s blessing, eventually killing him. As punishment, God drove Cain out of the land, prompting Cain to exclaim, “Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."(New International Version, Genesis 4:14). Much like his ancestor, Grendel lives in envy due to his inability to receive blessings. God cursed Grendel from approaching the throne and became His outcast. Grendel’s release from misery and envy came from his ability to kill others, such as his moments grabbing over thirty men and carrying the men to his lair to kill them. Connections in the poem represent the relation Christian stories of Cain’s murders and how Grendel kills others. The connections include references to the great flood, concurring with Grendel’s residence, as well as Cain’s murderous adventures related to Grendel’s killing sprees (Little). These connections become clear and evident as the poem …show more content…
continues. Grendel’s mother coincides with the sin of wrath. The characteristics of wrath include, “Inappropriate (unrighteous) feelings of hatred and anger. Denial of the truth to others or self. Impatience or revenge outside of justice. Wishing to do evil or harm to others. Self-righteousness. Wrath is the root of murder and assault” (New World Encyclopedia). Her son came back to the family’s marshes and swamps broken down from the fight he just endured against Beowulf. Grendel’s mother wanted revenge and is accounted in poem as, “she pounced on him and pulled out a broad, whetted knife: now she will avenge her only child.” (Heaney 1545 - 1547). Grendel’s mother held hatred in her heart due to the pain her son had to endure. Though she angered, she should have sinned not by not attempting to murder Beowulf, which eventually did not come to pass. Beowulf again exposed the battle between Christianity and Paganistic thoughts by establishing wrath in a character. “God hates discord and strongly denounces those who sow strife.” (Graham 2011). The dragon in Beowulf represents the deadly sin of greed. Christianity trifles in the principle of anti-materialism (Sherlock). This practice is displayed in a separate way in Anglo-Saxon literature (Sherlock). The representation of greed occurs in the dragon’s character by portraying the dragon as a keeper of treasure to protect. The dragon does all in its power to protect this treasure, going as far as to engage in a fight with Beowulf. “While gold is beautiful and praiseworthy, the right of kings and lords, it is … morally corruptible…” (Sherlock). Beowulf went to fight the dragon to avenge the chaos brought onto Geatland by the Dragon. The gold held by the dragon fueled the flame of the dragon’s greed. After the dragon died, the morality of greed died with it. The seven virtues derive from ancient Greece, written by Aristotle and Plato (Athanassoulis). These virtues once only included four, then expanded to seven after a thorough examination of the New Testament. The seven virtues consist of charity, chastity, diligence, humility, kindness, temperance, and patience (Athanassoulis). The seven deadly sins came to light after the creation of the seven virtues to counteract the virtues, thus creating the battle between good versus evil (Athanassoulis). In Beowulf, Beowulf counteracts his ‘evil’ spirit of pride with his ‘good’ spirit of prudence and diligence. Beowulf encompasses the definition of pride, but his quick response to help the people of Heorot coincides with the virtue of charity.
Charity not only means love, but it also has an exterior meaning of beneficence (Obstat). Beowulf’s benefice aided the people of Heorot in times of need and struggle. He also represents the virtue of diligence and prudence. Both virtues hold a vice that they counteract (Obstat). Beowulf had an established sense of diligence and prudence while protecting his men who fought alongside him. Prudence goes against the vice of negligence (Obstat), proving that Beowulf did have a sense of prudence. The prudence of Beowulf goes recognized at the end of the epic poem by the statement, “They said that of all the kings upon the earth, he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.” (Heaney 3180-3182). Beowulf’s prudence and diligence to serve and protect the people did not go unnoticed even after his
death. The constant tug-of-war factor within Beowulf and his deadly sins and virtues constantly makes itself known throughout the poem. Not only does Beowulf experience these moral aspects, but most of the characters in Beowulf do. The prevalence of the seven deadly sins and virtues shine greatly, but do not go noticed by most people. Of both theologies, however, Beowulf represents immorality the most.
This quote is one of many examples of Beowulf’s pride. Beowulf, a strong warrior, wants to fight Grendel, a malicious monster. Although his adventure is seen to benefit his honor and glory, he is thoughtful of others and gives his time, labor, and treasures to them. The Anglo-Saxons hold a high respect for pride and sacrifice. Beowulf’s lust for glory and pride is obvious he wants to be known and feared. But throughout the story there is an unspoken tone about his constant charity. When he fights a monster for
Grendel is the spawn of the greatest sin in the Anglo-Saxon era -- fratricide. Fratricide is the slaying of one's own brother. Cain was cursed by God, forced to have hardship in tilling the soil and was given a mark on his head. God's wrath would not allow Cain to abandon his sin, by death, and his curse carried on throughout the life of mankind. To read the complete story of Cain and his brother Abel, click here The sin of fratricide did not only mean blood-related family, but applied to the murder of kinsmen.
After being introduced to Heorot, the new mead hall the reader becomes acquainted with Grendel, “Grendel was the name of this grim demon / haunting the marches, marauding around the heath / and the desolate fens; he has dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, / Cain’s clan, whom the creator had outlawed / and condemned as outcast” (Heaney 9/100). Through this first encounter with Grendel, the reader learns that he has been haunting and marauding uncivilized lands up to this point with other monsters, because he appears directly after the introduction of the new mead hall it can be assumed that he has found a new place to haunt. Grendel along with the other monsters who are thought to have patrolled the area are referred to as Cain’s clan referring to the Old Testament story about Cain and Able, the sons of Adam and Eve. In the story, Cain kills Able out of jealousy and is condemned by God. Murder is considered an irrational and radical act, and the comparison of Grendel to the “first murderer” project these characteristics onto him. Later, after Grendel’s second attack on the mead hall the Danes realize that the attack
Beowulf is an epic poem telling the story of Beowulf, a legendary Geatish hero who later becomes king in the aforementioned epic poem. While the story in and of itself is quite interesting, for the purpose of this paper it is important to look at the character more so then his deeds, or rather why he did what he did.
The Old English epic poem Beowulf poses something for an enigma for scholars. The poet was surely a Christian, but the poem depicts a pagan society, so what sort of religion is being expressed. Most recent scholars have argued for a Christian reading, but others still hold out for a pagan one. Some have suggested Christian-pagan syncretism. Pagan beliefs involve sacrifices to the old stone Gods, making heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s support, the devil’s guidance in driving their affliction off. This was their way and the Heathen’s only hope.Some suggest Christian-pagan syncretism. Anglo-Saxon epic heroes are willing to put their own lives in danger for the greater good. Beowulf highlights the code’s points of tension by relating circumstances
In Beowulf, the essence left behind by a true hero is extremely important. In epics such as this one, leaders tend to have the determination and boldness of a hero. On the other hand, the main character, Beowulf, does not only display these certain traits. In this heroic poem, respect and trust come naturally. Honor and integrity are present throughout the poem. There are many moments in Beowulf that manifest the many traits that a person should have. This proves how important these attributes are to the characters and the Anglo-Saxon society. Although Beowulf has no known author, it embodies many of the beliefs and morals of the early Germanic society. The author of this epic poem uses many approaches in order to demonstrate that respect and trust are fundamental characteristics of a leader and hero.
The Epic poem of Beowulf is a story of heroism, loyalty, ego, and fate. To be a great leader of men; a great king of the people, you must be respected and trusted. Loyalty is given to those who earn the respect and trust of their people. Beowulf was blessed with great physical strength, the pride and fearlessness of a warrior, and an equally strong command of the spoken word, which he used skillfully to his advantage. He gained the respect and trust of nearly everyone he came in contact with, largely because he possessed the characteristics of a true hero, but in the end it was his ego that sealed his fate. Although it could be said that Beowulf’s character was flawed by an enormous ego, fueled by thoughts of immortality, it is this very trait that made him an ideal hero and king.
For a hero Beowulf lacks a lot of morals and compassion. This is shown here
In the epic Beowulf, the reader can clearly find the very distinct conflicts, although some go unnoticed. This poem came to be around the birth of Christianity and the dying out of paganism. In Beowulf, the battles between the monsters and the warriors are interpreted as a battle between the old way of faith and the coming of Christianity. Beowulf himself comes across many conflicts of his own. A literary critic, Alfred Bammesberger, analyzed the person who gives Beowulf the idea to go to Herot and fight Grendel, “.... Beowulf wanting to fight single-handed and challenge Grendel based on the information he had given to his uncle, the Great King Hygelac” (Bammesberger). The Danish king asks not for help however, Beowulf goes anyways. While he has many physical battles with enemies, he also has internal conflicts that seem to hold heavy in his mind. These conflicts include but are not limited to, “Battle of Grendel”, “The Battle with Grendel’s Mother” and “The Last Battle.”
The theme of selflessness is shown among the character Beowulf through his courageous spirit to help others in need. If you remember in the beginning of the epic poem, Beowulf travels “to the lands of the Danes” to help silence the feud
“In my youth I engaged in many wars”, Beowulf boasts to his warriors, which is certainly true. Throughout his life, he faces many deadly foes, all of which he handily defeats, save one. His story focuses on the most challenging, as well as morally significant of foes, Grendel and the dragon. These creatures reveal much about society as well as Christian virtue at the time. Even after Grendel and the dragon are defeated physically, the two monsters pose a new threat to the hero on a higher plane. Beowulf is not only at risk of losing his life, but his humanity, virtue, and even spirituality.
The epic and oral poem Beowulf illustrates a loss of community, cultural values, and tradition. Beowulf, the main character, is an ideal king and archetypal warrior. History is relevant to Beowulf; this Germanic society was being taken over by Christian missionaries who were seeking to convert this culture. The character of Beowulf is a reflection of the Germanic culture's virtues; heroism is emphasized in the text's multiple references and constant focus on heroes and what it is to be a hero. Beowulf, who is reflective of an older generation of heroes, strives for community. In contrast, Christianity's focus is on the individual. This conflict is ended once Beowulf, a figure of the past and the old world, passes on. With Beowulf, the hero dies. Hence, Beowulf's efforts to keep his culture and his ethics alive are impossible as war and Christianity conquer the Germanic land.
Beowulf, written between the 8th and 10th centuries, is an epic poem set in southern Sweden. The poem illustrates the Anglo-Saxon’s strong belief in the heroic code. The loyalty between the warrior and his king bound the culture together. The warrior was the ultimate hero who represented strength and courage. Beowulf, the hero in the poem, illustrates the Germanic principles of the heroic code. Through the battles and character interactions, Beowulf converges loyalty, strength, courage and forgiveness into the hero archetype.
...r dying son, Grendel himself, who may appear vengeful, is truly acting out of jealousy and a sense of resentment towards people happier than him. The dragon also acts out of a sense of vengeance, but its actions are ultimately used to create a fateful deathbed for Beowulf. While he Beowulf masks his true intentions with a pretense of vengeance, Beowulf himself best describes the sense of revenge in the poem.
Through Grendel's own hatred and anger, he brings his own downfall. The "sin-stained demon" has his roots in the vile creature Cain. Since Grendel is spawned from Cain, he can never feel the love of God or of people: ". . . God, / Whose love Grendel could not know." (84-85). It is because of this, that Grendel hates every mortal being he lays his eyes upon. Hatred leads to anger, constant anger, ". . . bearing God's hatred, / Grendel came, hoping to kill" (393-394). Fear is Grendel's other major flaw, "His mind was flooded with fear . . ." (435). Through his hatred and fear, Grendel seals his own fate.