Beowulf: themes and literary significance

Beowulf, Grendel, & Hrothgar

Is Beowulf right or wrong? Is Hrothgar weak or strong? Are these two characters Christian or pagan? Is Wealhtheow wretched or distinguished? Is Unferth a fool or an intelligent coward? Are Grendel and his mother absolutely detestable or actually quite poignant characters? Should the reader feel uplifted or distressed by the poem's events? Questions similar to the foregoing queries reflect considerations some students initially wrestle with when studying Beowulf. Overing (xiv) stresses that making difficult choices regarding Beowulf is not the desired objective, but rather prefers that students arrive at "an acceptance of the impossibility of... " Overing encourages students to entertain "both or more possibilities in an ongoing process of cross-reference and connection.

The result," Overing insists,.".. can be a welcoming receptivity to the poem's complexity, an acceptance of the impossibility, and an understanding of the inappropriateness of coming to any categoric (sic) conclusion, any simple summation." Abraham, on the other hand, appears to differ with Overing's contentions. He cites that John Gardner encourages readers interpret Beowulf, relating to the "three qualities of the tripartite soul with the three ages of life, as in the fourteenth-century Parliament of the Three Ages, in which 'youth is identified with the irascible part, middle age with concupiscence, and old age with the search for wisdom.'"

Although explicating how Beowulf reflects the nature of our contemporary world, e.g. Christianity could succumb to a sagacity parallel to Overing's contention, yet, for this paper, more concrete considerations, such as those Abraham and Hall posit will be presented.

Noted basically to be a pagan poem, Beowulf, albeit, also embodies Christian allusions. (Beowulf) Although the name "Jesus" is omitted in Beorulf, numerous references to God, based on the Old Testament, are cited. In the latter part of the poem, the fight with the dragon has been noted to particularly reflect Christian nuances. "Counting the thief, Beowulf is accompanied by 12 associates, most of whom desert him (reminding us of Christ's apostles)." (Ibid) Judas, a traitor, was one of the twelve men Jesus chose to be his disciples. Satan is referred to as a dragon toward the end of the Bible in the book of Revelation. The word "dragon" appears 19 times in 18 verses in the Bible. (Blue Letter...)

Hall (4) notes that: "Outer name or sign frequently corresponds to inner personality, as with Heremod, Modthryth and Wealhtheow, whose hospitality and rich gifts to Beowulf associate her name not so much with its literal meaning ('foreign captive') as with 'service to weal and wealth.' Beowulf's landing is at a place identified as Land's-End, and his ship is met by a coastal watchman described in the poem as the Warden." Interesting to note that wise men from the east who came to worship Jesus at his birth presented him rich gifts - "gold, and frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11). (Blue Letter...)

Two more comparisons surface: One: Beowulf (Hall refers to "her" name) means "foreign captive." Christians are referred to in the Bible as "strangers and pilgrims" in 1 Peter 2:1. (Blue Letter...) Two: Although God is not labeled as a "warden" at the end of life's journey, He does, according to Revelation 20:12; 15 open the Book of life and.".. The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.... And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Ibid) Reflecting on Hall's revelation of Gardner's interpreting Beowulf's in terms of "the Three Ages, in which "youth is identified with the irascible part, middle age with concupiscence, and old age with the search for wisdom." Biblical comparisons include:

Youth: "Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child..." Proverbs 25:15. (Blue Letter Bible)

Middle Age: "The glory of young men [is] their strength..." Proverbs 20: 29. (Ibid)

Old Age: And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that [is] on the sea shore. I Kings 4:29. (Ibid)

The world of the dragon emphasizes endings and age," Abraham states. Revelation 12:9 talks about the end of the age of time on earth: And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Blue Letter...)

The introductory line and half of Beowulf: "Lo! we [have heard] about the might of the Spear-Danes' kings in the early days..." could be considered to reflect the fact that most individuals in this contemporary age have heard about Jesus, and many know his response to Pilate before being crucified, recorded in John 18:37: "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." (Blue Letter)

Whatever one chooses to conclude about writings regarding Jesus and/or Beowulf will be contingent on numerous factors, including understanding; perception; study helps; the spirit with which one approaches the subjects; etc. One primary difference, however, merits consideration: Beowulf is known to be fiction, with.".. The tone probably was altered to appeal to later audiences.... The story may have changed as it developed." (Beowulf) the Biblical account of Jesus is nonfiction, it has not changed through the ages. The tone remains the same.