Good vs. Evil

Good vs. Evil Found in Beowulf In the story of Beowulf, there are many different themes found. Many people argue the main theme found in this story. This has been argued for a very long time and will go on for many more years to come. Although

The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is often associated with a various number of themes such as racism, social inequality, the importance of family values, and much more. But one of the more hidden messages of the book centers around the idea that there is a coexistence of good and evil. This theme is really brought to life the more the reader is able to understand the book. Through sub themes such as coming of age, perspective, and intense characterization of many important characters the idea of good and evil is really brought to light.

Whether you are arguing with your siblings, with a stranger at a baseball game, during a debate, with your parents or children, you are fighting for what you believe is right. You perceive yourself as the “victim” in the situation by trying to justify your reasoning behind the argument. Some people may perceive you as the good or as the evil because they believe that you have done nothing wrong, you were being perverse or fighting for the wrong reason. The epic poem Beowulf, is a super-eminent literary example that represents the good and evil in the characters and what they are fighting for. In this fictional poem, in which the author is unknown, the protagonist Beowulf encounters three major battles with a monster named Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and a dragon. Each character is fighting for a certain reason and believe their reason is more dominant. The two audiences that view the characters as good or evil is the Danes and the narrator. Since the characters in the poem believe they're justified in their actions, they prove to not be all evil or all good. In fact, they should be judged based on the rationale behind their actions to fight.

The battle between good and evil and the inevitable victory of the good is very evident in Beowulf. There is a power struggle between the divine and the sinister throughout the novel, and the divine come out on top, every time. No matter who Beowulf decides to fight, he always

There is an obvious theme of good vs, evil within the story of Beowulf. The protagonist, Beowulf, is your traditional embodiment of heroism. The antagonist, Grendel, is obviously the definition

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.

Other examples of pagan ideas are seen throughout the epic when Grendel and his mother cast spells, as well as their use of magic and other supernatural powers. Beowulf was an important example of how people viewed and lived the Christian life and lived it daily. It provides an ample amount of pathos and ethos which helped clearly illuminate the difference in good and evil. The Beowulf poet separates evil in one case by using negative diction when describing Grendel’s actions. “Alone, bloodthirsty and horrible,” (49) are examples of the use of negative diction used to establish negative pathos and ethos against Grendel. The poet used a more positive diction when describing Beowulf on page 51, “That mighty protector of men.” The more positive diction established positive pathos and ethos towards the mighty Beowulf. Throughout the epic good was pinned fighting evil. No matter how bad the odds were against Beowulf he seemed to always prevail. Thoroughly, the epic Beowulf figuratively paints a picture of battles of good against evil.

The story of Beowulf was probably composed in England sometime in the Eighth Century AD, and written down circa 1000 AD, by a literate scop (bard) or perhaps a Christian scribe who was possibly educated in a monastery. The poem was created in oral tradition and was transferred to writing

Casey Kerins AP English Literature 10/1/12 In the Epic Beowulf, composed in the 8th century, the reader follows the protagonist, Beowulf, on a series of adventures to defeat three key monsters. This old English poem uses a series of motifs to help develop its themes, known as dichotomies. Dichotomies, defined as “opposites on the same spectrum,” range from good and evil to young and old, light and dark to Christianity and paganism. All these dichotomies are represented clearly in the text; however the concept of Heroes and Villains can be pulled in many different directions. Although Beowulf is always the hero, it is questionable as to if his three opponents are simply “villains.”

The comparison of good and evil is often displayed in our everyday lives. Good and evil has been compared since the beginning of time. This can be seen in social media and religion. However, good vs. evil is most commonly seen in literature. In the text, Beowulf, the juxtaposition of good vs. evil is displayed through the authors use of diction and imagery and how it establishes the tone.

Beowulf, an Old English epic poem, consists of an enormous amount of themes, archetypes, and symbols. The purpose behind an archetype is to give characters in the poem a purpose and a framework. In Beowulf, the archetypes of the quest, the battle between good and evil, and the hero are all prevalent throughout the poem. The quest plot displays Beowulf’s purpose in going to the Danish kingdom to embark on a journey to become glorious by ridding the city of a fiendish creature named Grendel. By doing this task Beowulf opens the door to his eventual battle between good and evil with the creatures of nightmare, Grendel and her mother. Beowulf finally takes initiative and displays heroism near the end of the poem when he decided to fight the dragon

Anglo Saxon’s history is well known for their loyalty, courage and bravery. Beowulf our protagonist is symbolized as a hero, who represents the Anglo Saxons at the time. Beowulf earns his fame and respect through battling creatures nobody else would want to face. These creatures symbolize the evil that lurks

Evil comes from the monsters. They attack the good side by killing innocent men because they are hungry or just want to defy the laws. Good fights back when the evil creations are killed and all is back to normal. Beowulf is truly good because he helps people when they need it the most and hopes that God is with him even though he doesn’t have to do anything to help the people who have an evil creature killing their village’s population every night.

In Beowulf, the conflict between good and evil is the story’s most universal theme. The storyteller is very clear who is good and who is evil, Beowulf represents the good and the ability to act selflessly when help is needed from others. Good is also shown throughout the epic as having the ability to abolish villainy. Evil is presented by Grendel, his mother, and a dragon, whose purpose in life is to make the lives of humanity a little more miserable.

The Conflicts in Beowulf    Brian Wilkie and James Hurt in Literature of the Western World discuss what is perhaps the overriding or central conflict in the poem Beowulf, namely the struggle between good and evil, and how the monsters are representative of the evil side: