Beowulf Society








Beowulf recognized his physical strengths and he utilized them for personal gain and glory and the good of the nation. Beowulfs second battle with Grendels mother is quite similar to the first. However, because Beowulf brought along a sword as protection he is seemingly less pure and as he attempts to use the sword it fails him. He is nearly beaten by the monsters mother until he wields the famous old sword of the giants which had magical power to save him. While he is not as heroic in his second battle, Beowulf still displays many of the virtues essential for heroism and even survival.

He was required to use ingenuity rather than strength in his battle and was required to go through an extremely difficult process in order to get to the monsters lair, almost like an initiation. However, he came out of the whole ordeal wiser and greatly rewarded. This first two battles also, surprisingly, represented what may have been an influence of Christian values on the culture. While the Christianity is not quite the same as we would expect in a more modern setting, it was just beginning to gain some influence in Europe at the time of this story.

This was a period of a conversion of the paganistic beliefs into something that more closely resembled Christianity. Many of the principles and ideals of the two were combined to create a more familiar understanding view of Christianity for the predominantly pagan population. The Christianity in the story is more closely tied in with Moses Old Testament teachings of revenge and equality than Christs teachings of peace, love and forgiveness. Grendels mother attempts to avenge the death of her son while at the same time Beowulf is attempting to avenge the death of all those slain by Grendel.

The conflict between good and evil is also a very Christian theme that runs throughout the poem. There is a consistant attack of wickedness that can only be overcome by purity and goodness. Beowulf is almost a Christ figure, not to the extent that he is Christ like, merely that he overcomes, literally kills, wickedness. Grendel, on the other hand, “shoulders Gods anger” (45). Whether the poem is mainly pagan or Christian is up for debate, but both had influence on the story as it was finally written.

The religious views in Beowulf were obviously a very important aspect of the story and to the people who were undergoing a very significant change in their views of religion. The action provides us with a slight understanding of the qualities respected in middle ages society. However, the vast majority of the text deals with nonaction that gives us perhaps more information about how the society worked. Because this story was originally passed on as an oral tradition each part of the poem is extremely significant because it had to be memorized.

This adds significance to the genealogy, long speeches and highly descriptive nature of ceremonial events in the text which must have required hours of memorization. These all give a very detailed account of the non warrior side of life that was also very important. The length of these separate passages indicate what was significant to these people. The action is sparsely distributed throughout the text to apply the principles presented to us throughout the length of the poem.

For example, in an important exchange with the king, Beowulf presented “… tandard bearing the image of a boar, together with a helmet towering in battle, a gray corslet, and a noble sword;” (74). This description allows us a glimpse into the importance of gift giving and of the importance of these gifts. Beowulf continues his speech to the king by stating “Hrothgar, the wise king, gave me these trappings and purposely asked me to tell you their history” (74). The detail tat is spent on describing the gifts and their history is significant in understanding the culture of these people.

This particular passage displays the importance of rituals and rights that individuals were required to undergo. The songs of the scop recited at Hrothgars court also display the importance of using poetry to glorify their heroes and remember their history. Since very little was actually written, poetry was one of the only methods they had to preserve their history. In this history they kept significance was placed on an entirely different set of principles dealing with the importance of rituals and significant heroic events. Beowulfs final battle is perhaps his most significant.

He had learned much since the time of his youth and he approached this battle with greater wisdom. This is the final test of his life and the last challenge that he must endure. Beowulf is different at the time of this battle, however. His other battles had been fought while he was still very young and full of life. In his third battle he was an old man who had spent much of his life serving his country. However, his usefulness for his people was dwindling as old age began to overtake him. This battle demonstrated the final and greatest sacrifice he could make.

It was a battle that he surely knew would take his life, but one he deemed worthy. Despite his incredible physical strength and courage Beowulf was unable to win the battle within himself. Like everyone that ever lived, Beowulf grew old, weak and tired. No matter how hard he tried he was unable to escape death and he knew that it would not be long in coming for him. He went into battle facing not only the dragon but also the destiny of his own death. His death, rather than being a sign of weakness, becomes his final act of glory.

Beowulf, amazingly, continues to be studied and read extensively all over the world even today, one thousand years after it was composed. Its study of social conflict and heroism is what has made it become a timeless classic. The issues it deals with not only pertained to life in the middle ages, but also with issues that never die. It contains all of the elements of a modern Hollywood film. The most important aspect of the poem, though, is the insight it gives us into middle age life. This poem most likely began as a tribute to a noble war hero, but it has become one of the greatest epics of all time.

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