Beowulf the Power of Beowulf

Beowulf

The Power of Beowulf

The Epic's Importance in Both Anglo-Saxon and Modern Times

By modern standards, Beowulf has all the makings of a bestseller or a blockbuster hit. In fact, the epic has been made into a film several times, the most recent being a sci-fi -ike production that was released in 2007. Beowulf has action, excitement, a likeable hero, and a demonic, otherworldly nemesis. In the tradition of other epics, Beowulf features a hero whose might and strength allows him to fight the forces of evil for the good of the community. At first glance, Beowulf seems to contain the comic book-type drama and action that pleases audiences without making them think too much. A primary reason for this is the character of Grendel, who is described as something dark, but not human. By making Grendel otherworldly, readers or listeners are spared from having to consider the nature of humanity and other axiological questions. A disgusting monster, Grendel is not only described as aesthetically unpleasing but who is associated with what society considers most dismal and dark -- the Christian concept of evil. In fact, Grendel is actually described as "kin of Cain," whose race is lumped together with other supernatural characters that Christianity deems demonic -- "elves and evil spirits, as well as the giants that warred with God" (Beowulf Part I).

It is this difference, this symbolism, which sets Beowulf apart from other stories of heroes and monsters. Indeed, it is this difference that Helterman refers to when he notes that Beowulf "has caused almost every critic to assume the poem is 'something more' than a narrative of heroic adventure and Germanic History" (1). Although one reason that the centuries-old epic is still appreciated today stems from its masterful appeal to pathos, its use of the hero and nemesis to provoke something akin to nationalism for the human race, it cannot be described as a story that does not make the reader think. In fact, through the incorporation of Grendel as a symbol for evil and Beowulf as a symbol of good, the epic reflects the values and culture of the Anglo-Saxons who wrote it. In addition, what Beowulf specifically reflects is a period of transition for the Anglo-Saxon people, in which Christianity was beginning to emerge. Thus, Beowulf has cultural significance for its role in promoting the Christian religion amongst the Anglo Saxons, while maintaining significance today for its well-constructed characters and plotline, along with its demonstration of how textual symbolism can be used to influence society.

Although some claim the epic Beowulf to be wholly Christian while others suggest it is simply a pagan myth that has been washed over with Christian topics, it is more reasonable to believe the poem is a reflection of the Anglo-Saxons transition from a pagan to a Christian society. But by depicting that transition with an air of favoritism for the Christian religion, the poem influences the Anglo-Saxons to adopt the new, Christian culture. Helterman addresses this when suggests "the tone of the poem and the lack of specific Christian allusions cause difficulties" with the idea that the poem is a "Christian allegory" (1). Some evidence Helterman uses to support his claim includes the fact that Christ seems to be as absent from the epic as are the pagan gods. Although Beowulf certainly incorporates a type of ethical morality, which contains some elements that are undoubtedly similar to a Christian morality, Helterman states that "the net result…is that the poem remains theologically unspecified" (1). Because elements of both paganism and Christianity in the poem result in a sort of unspecified morality, the poem can quite easily be seen as a transitional epic between an old culture and a new one. Indeed, Helterman notes that, in terms of myth, "The movement of Beowulf becomes a dialectic between the Mediterranean (Christian) and Norse mythologies" (3).

Despite the fact that Beowulf acts quite clearly as a mitigation between pagan and Christian cultures, between an older culture and a newer one, the more persistent allusions to a monotheistic God similar to the Judeo-Christian God suggest the poem may be attempting to persuade Anglo-Saxon readers to adopt the new culture. Bloomfield echoes this sentiment when he states that the fight between Grendel and Beowulf is suggestive of "jdicium Dei" or "the judgment of God" (546). Indeed, Bloomfield implies that the incident suggests that God has chosen the victor through the combat, a ritual reflective of Middle Ages trial by combat, which was used "to call upon God to decide the justice of a claim or action" (546). In the Middle Ages, Bloomfield contends, the measure was generally used for those accused of treason. Because Beowulf's defeat of Grendel is so closely associated with God's power, Bloomfield contends that the altercation is, indeed, an example of God's divine judgment, in which Beowulf is chosen over Grendel. This being the case, the implications for the epic are even more extreme, as this incident foreshadows the Christian culture that will soon embody the Anglo-Saxons. Thus, the references to God's power and the association with God during what is arguably the most important part of the epic -- Beowulf's defeat of Grendel -- the poem influences society by promoting the monotheistic culture.

Based on this, the composing of Beowulf was not done to merely entertain. Instead, the poem was constructed in such a way so as to be believable among the Anglo-Saxons, depicting their culture perfectly. In addition, because it does not rely on overtly Christian overtones, the poem exemplifies the transition between the pagan and Christian culture that the Anglo-Saxons are currently facing during the writing of the poem. Still, emphasis on the monotheistic, Christian God, a general morality that can be called "Christian," and the association between Beowulf and God and Grendel and demonic forces suggest that the poem is meant to persuade Anglo Saxons to adopt the new, Christian culture. For this reason, it was a text or story of extreme importance during this time period.

But Beowulf's continued importance in the modern era is the result of a combination of factors. While Helterman points out that the "something more" is part of the epic's intrigue (1), the something alone is captivating to contemporary audiences. The grandeur of Beowulf's plot and characterization cannot be overlooked. Including Beowulf as a myth-like human who is mortal, while at the same time containing features of immortality (Bloomfield), grand struggles between a hero and his nemesis -- both Grendel and the Dragon -- extraordinary loyalty, as Beowulf does not attempt to take the kingdom from either King Hrothgar or King Hygelac, and principals of family loyalty and friendship, the poem has enduring values that transcend time, geographical location, and even culture. From the outset, the reader knows who is a force of good and who is a force of evil. Finally, the reader has the ability to see good triumph evil, and even at the end of the poem, with Beowulf's death, the reader has the opportunity to reflect on Beowulf's ultimate heroism. While this kind of plot is cliched today, it is so because of its universal appeal. Thus, Beowulf's timelessness is due, in part, to the theme, plot, action, and characterization -- the "something" that makes it great.