Salvation And Temptationation In Beowulf: Salvation Vs. Temptation

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Beowulf: Salvation vs. Temptation Although proper credit cannot be given to an unknown author, the extraordinary poem, Beowulf, does give proper credit to the typical binary hero system. Beowulf illustrates an impossibly perfect hero, Beowulf, with only the best of intentions who takes on not only the destructive Grendel, but Grendel’s vengeful mother as well only to end in his own impressive demise. Two thematic elements are discussed in Beowulf: that it is altogether improper to fall to the temptation of the devil and that one can survive solely under the protection of God who sends all earthly gifts and blessings. Along with the ever-present sense of salvation bestowed within Beowulf’s pride comes a direct conflict with Christian values
Little opportunity for exposure to good provides Grendel, “a fiend from hell” (101), with the motive for evil. Not only is Grendel seen as evil for his ancestry, but he is clearly depicted as the devil throughout the epic battle between Beowulf and himself. “It was well-known to men / that the demon foe could not drag them / under the dark shadows if the Maker did not wish it” (705-707). Grendel represents this “demon foe” who is literally dragging away the Danes’ beloved friends from Heorot. Grendel feels no sorrow for the evil he has set upon the Danes: “but the very next night he committed / a greater murder, mourned not at all / for his feuds and sings—he was too fixed in them.” (135-137). Grendel’s, as the devil, only concern is that he tempts the people of Danes to shy away from their Christian religion in search of an answer to his demonic ways. Therefore, the condemnation of Grendel to a hellish life causes one to recognize the symbolic aspect of Grendel as not only sin, but the devil and all of his temptations. Along with the representation of the devil, Grendel takes on the face of temptation. The Bible speaks to the fact that the Lord will not let a believer be tempted past their own strength. In Beowulf, Grendel is interpreted as the temptation of evil as he leads the people of Danes to
The town has fallen to the temptation of Grendel by committing pagan acts and cannot seem to find the way out of this never-ending slump of mass destruction until along comes Beowulf who hears the prayers of those in need:
Then my own people advised me, the best warriors and the wisest men, that I should, lord Hrothgar, seek you out, because they knew the might of my strength; (Beowulf 415-418)
Beowulf is the answer to the prayers for a hero, a savior, for someone to rid Danes of this monstrosity that is Grendel. Just as God hears the prayers of his followers, Beowulf is miraculously informed of this devastated town and takes matters into his own hands to save those who have fallen to the evil of Grendel by spreading the Lord’s righteousness. God has sent Beowulf, who is full of goodness as the impossibly perfect hero, to Danes to right the wrongdoings of Grendel. Beowulf, unselfish and brave, takes on an incredible confrontation that seems out of his battle league. Beowulf portrays a disciple of God when delivering the Danes from evil by helping the individuals, who are suffering from Grendel’s attacks, to repent. Hrothgar is first to notice how God has sent Beowulf:
Holy God in His grace has guided him to us, to the West-Danes, as I would

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