The Power of Beowulf: Anglo-Saxon Culture and Modern Appeal

Introduction: Beowulf's Enduring Appeal

By modern standards, Beowulf has all the makings of a bestseller or a blockbuster hit. In fact, the epic has been adapted into film several times, the most recent being a science-fiction-inflected production 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 allow 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 deeply. 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 described not only as aesthetically unpleasing but also as associated with what society considers most dismal and dark — the Christian concept of evil. Indeed, Grendel is explicitly described as "kin of Cain," whose race is grouped 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 symbolism that sets Beowulf apart from other stories of heroes and monsters. It is this very quality 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 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. Through the incorporation of Grendel as a symbol of evil and Beowulf as a symbol of good, the epic reflects the values and culture of the Anglo-Saxons who produced it. More specifically, what Beowulf reflects is a period of transition for the Anglo-Saxon people, during which Christianity was beginning to emerge. Thus, Beowulf carries cultural significance for its role in promoting Christianity among the Anglo-Saxons, while remaining significant today for its well-constructed characters and plot, and for its demonstration of how textual symbolism can be used to influence society.

Pagan and Christian Elements in Tension

Although some claim the epic Beowulf to be wholly Christian while others suggest it is simply a pagan myth washed over with Christian themes, it is more reasonable to view the poem as a reflection of the Anglo-Saxon transition from a pagan to a Christian society. By depicting that transition with a discernible favoritism toward Christianity, the poem works to influence the Anglo-Saxons to adopt the new faith and culture. Helterman addresses this when he suggests that "the tone of the poem and the lack of specific Christian allusions cause difficulties" with reading the poem as a "Christian allegory" (1). Among the evidence Helterman marshals is the observation that Christ seems nearly as absent from the epic as the pagan gods. Although Beowulf certainly incorporates a kind of ethical morality containing elements similar to Christian morality, Helterman concludes that "the net result…is that the poem remains theologically unspecified" (1). Because both pagan and Christian elements are present without either dominating, the poem can readily be read as a transitional epic bridging an old culture and a new one. Helterman notes that, in terms of myth, "The movement of Beowulf becomes a dialectic between the Mediterranean (Christian) and Norse mythologies" (3).

Beowulf as a Vehicle for Christian Persuasion

Despite the fact that Beowulf acts as a mediation between pagan and Christian cultures, the more persistent allusions to a monotheistic God — one resembling the Judeo-Christian God — suggest the poem may be attempting to persuade Anglo-Saxon readers to adopt the new faith. Bloomfield echoes this sentiment when he argues that the fight between Grendel and Beowulf is suggestive of judicium Dei, or "the judgment of God" (546). Bloomfield implies that the combat suggests God has chosen the victor — a ritual reflective of the medieval 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 practice was generally employed for those accused of treason. Because Beowulf's defeat of Grendel is so closely associated with God's power, Bloomfield argues that the altercation is an example of divine judgment, with Beowulf chosen over Grendel. The implications of this reading are significant, as this incident foreshadows the Christian culture that would soon come to define the Anglo-Saxons. Thus, through the references to God's power during what is arguably the most important event in the epic — Beowulf's defeat of Grendel — the poem promotes a monotheistic worldview.

Conclusion: The Power of Words to Transform Society

Beowulf is a literary masterpiece on many counts. From its timeless depiction of the struggle of good versus evil and its larger-than-life characters to its rich symbolism and religious allusions, Beowulf has the ability to capture and hold audiences across millennia. What is truly remarkable about this poem, however — what sets it apart from other comparable texts — is that there is "something more." That something more has to do with the cultural implications of Beowulf, the importance it held as a piece of folklore, and the degree to which it was able to influence Anglo-Saxon society. In an era when a debate among linguists, writers, and literary scholars rages over whether words hold transformative power or merely record events, Beowulf stands as a testament to the power of Old English literature to shape, or at least profoundly impact, society. Thus, it is of great importance both within and beyond the Anglo-Saxon culture and time period.

Works Cited

Beowulf. Trans. Francis B. Grummere. The Harvard Classics, Volume 49. Collier & Son, 1910.

Bloomfield, Morton W. "Beowulf, Byrhthnoth, and the Judgement of God: Trial by Combat in Anglo-Saxon England." Speculum 44.4 (1964): 545–559.

Helterman, Jeffrey. "The Archetype Enters History." ELH 35.1 (1968): 1–20.

Niles, John D. "Understanding Beowulf: Oral Poetry Acts." The Journal of American Folklore 106.420 (1993): 131–155.