Fate, Destiny, and Predestination in Beowulf Essays

The concept of an epic hero ordains in most capacities to be born into their position, subsequently having to prove themselves worthy of said position, eventually excelling their birth circumstances and achieving greatness. This is true of most epic heroes, being either demigods, royalty, or both. Hercules is a demigod (explaining his astounding feats of strength and will), Aeneas is a demigod and of a royal bloodline, Odysseus is essentially blessed by the gods and king of Ithica. Those characters’ qualities of birth can be definitively classified as happenstantial luck. Yet, is it luck if one’s powers are inexplicably unique and inherent, not being bestowed? The most enigmatic, yet prominent epic hero who defies the trope of born luck seems to be the Anglo-Saxon character of Beowulf.

The Epic of Gilgamesh and Beowulf contain everything we can expect from a great epic literature. It portrays fantastic geographies, exotic characters, exhausting quests, heroic battles with monsters, supernatural beings and natural forces. Most important of all, they are two outstanding stories of a great epic hero who is compelled to meet his destiny and who rises to every challenge with courage and determination.

Beowulf starts out as a mighty warrior with nothing to lose, in contrast to his mentor, King Hrothgar, a wise king who wishes to protect his people. Beowulf learns from Hrothgar gaining the qualities fit for a king.

Beowulf is a story of great courage and triumph over adversity. But over the whole story there is a hanging sense of dread and impending death. This is shown by the sense of impending death, the strong sense of doom, and the nature of luck throughout the story. These play a mojo role in shaping how the story

Beowulf is an epic poem that, above all, gives the reader an idea of a time long past; a time when the most important values were courage and integrity. The only factors that could bestow shower fame upon a person were heroic deeds and family lineage. Beowulf, as the paradigm of pagan heroes, exhibited his desire to amass fame and fortune; the only way to do so was to avenge the death of others. This theme of retribution that is ever present throughout the poem seems to color the identities of its characters.

In the epic poem Beowulf, there is an obvious distinction between good and evil. The hero and his foes play roles that are commonly associated with Anglo-Saxon literature. The lines are clearly drawn and expressed in the poem. As the story moves, the reader cannot mistake the roles being played, based on the characterizations in the epic, one recognizes each character for their purpose and place.

Not everyone believes in fate in the modern world, but back in Beowulf's time fate was a very common belief. The anglo saxon belief was that fate controlled every aspect of people's lives and no one could escape it. They believed fate to be the reason for everything. The hero of the Geats was a firm believer in fate hence why fate is the most prevalent theme in Beowulf. Fate helps Beowulf many times and the story shows fate to be a force for good.

Many translators of the poem have signaled the ”allusions to the power of fate” and its connection to Christianity (Klaeber, xlviii). The fact is that whether or not Beowulf saw a connection to the concept of fate and a divine power is something that we may never know.

Instances of fate are scattered throughout Beowulf. Something seems to be in control of Beowulf's life, and it drives him to achieve things that no one else has ever been able to achieve. Though he is a mere mortal, he defeats monsters even when it seemed like he was doomed to failure. Further, he rises to the level of King of the Geats even though he is not directly in line by birth to do so. Whether Beowulf is meant to be a Christian piece or a pagan one or not a religious piece at all, Beowulf becomes the

Reading through Beowulf I began to compare it to the last great epic I read, Homer’s Odyssey. While the Odyssey and Beowulf are each examples of both historic and modern ideas of heroism, the acts of Beowulf’s hero seem to fit better within its context.

Today finding your ancestors is a struggle. In Beowulf your Lineage can either make or break you. Having a good linage could cause people to like you. A bad lineage would make it so difficult to live and you would most likely get deemed as an outsider. Beowulf doesn't have a author because it was written so long ago that no one knows who created it. But it does have someone that translated it by the name of Seamus Heaney, and a editor gone by Daniel Donoghue. Lineage is desider of people in the Anglo Saxon period because it can be hurtful, Helpful and demonstrate how it can make a outsider.

Fame after death is looked at as the ultimate goal for individuals of this time period. Beowulf acted out of this lust for remembrance when defeating all of the monsters. “And if death does take me, send the hammered Mail of my armor to Higlac, return The inheritance I had from Hrethel, and he From Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must!” From these lines it is shown that fate will be the deciding force in his final battle against the dragon.

Beowulf evolved while under the influence of Hrothgar, once king of Dane. Beowulf begins to end childish and self beneficial decisions he starts to think more for the greater good of society. He portrays this idea by his supportiveness towards his cousins rise to the throne, he denied it himself as to allow the rightful next heir to rule. This action shows his maturity, it shows how Hrothgar truly helped Beowulf become a wise man. Before the meeting of Hrothgar Beowulf was set of fame and wealth and will get it no matter the obstacles; if this was the case, he might not have been so willing to give up the throne to a more worthy successor. Beowulf’s future changed because of Hrothgar, he even began to make controversial decisions.

The Christian view of fate intails the idea that choices are predestined. Due to this belief, society entrusted all decisions in God’s hands, without vigilance. Evident in Beowulf’s battle with

The beginning of Beowulf establishes the characters ancestries and history (1-114). This is important because it shows the roles they take part in. For example, the heroic role of Beowulf began because of his own ancestry. As seen in lines 372-376, Hrothgar describes Beowulf and says “I used to know him… His father before him was called Ecgtheow… This man is their son.” Later on in