'Is An Omniscient Narrator In Beowulf'

In what some might call a conceited display of pure arrogance, Beowulf renounces his weaponry to level the playing field when the time comes to battle with the monster. In a way, he is embracing the challenge from evil and asserting his confidence not only in his abilities but in his God as well. With this act, Beowulf expresses his reassurance that he is fighting for the right cause, and that, no matter what dire circumstances might confront him, he cannot be displaced with God on his side. Fate is primarily a pagan quality, as Christians believe that man was given the power to by choice disobeys God’s will “sin.” As a result from every triumphal battle Beowulf has a sense that all his strength is God given from good judgment.

The entire scene of the battle with Grendel’s mother runs parallel with Christ’s life. The pond that surrounds Grendel’s mothers murky house represents evil. Beowulf knows he is faced battling evil, is prepared for death, and forgives all his enemies. The submission into the murky pond distils Beowulf as he overcomes the evil of Grendel’s mother. He submerges from the water, just like Christ ascended into heaven. As Beowulf immerses from the battle with Grendel’s mother, he credits Christ again saying, “I’d have been dead at once,/And the fight finished, the she-devil victorious,/ If our Father in Heaven had not helped me” (310-312). As a final point, just as Christ had one last battle, so did Beowulf. The battle with the fire-breathing dragon was Beowulf’s last battle in which he came out with a victory, in that he defeated evil. Beowulf fought long and hard in his last battle with evil. Even though both Beowulf and Christ ultimately pass away in their final battles, they both were able to conquer evil. At the end of the battle he declared to Hrothgar, “If God had not helped me, the outcome would have been quick and fatal.” In pointing out his successes and accomplishments to God’s help, Beowulf demonstrates how he accredits Christian beliefs.

Many readers of the poem Beowulf may find it difficult to distinguish the 'good' kings from the rest – indeed, almost every man who holds a throne in the epic is named at one point or another to be 'good'. By examining the ideals of the time period as identified by the 'heroic code', it becomes clearer that a truly 'good' king is one who generously distributes treasure and weaponry to deserving retainers to honour courage and strength displayed in battle and to encourage the defense of the kingdom (Intro). When Beowulf ascends the throne of the Geats, the heroic traits of courage and strength for which he was so highly praised as a warrior do not serve well in making him a good king. Indeed, by exhibiting the traits of a thane, that is, by

Immediately following this passage, it goes on to explain the history of Creation. Included in this description is how God made light and dark, land and ocean, plant and animal, and finally the ultimate creation, man. God gave the gift of free will to all of His children. Beowulf relies on God’s will and his own strength in his three battles. Beowulf’s first battle is against the evil monster, Grendel. “Beowulf trusts in his own strength as much as in God’s grace in his battle” (Chickering 272). After his first battle, “A pang of mortality strikes Beowulf as he looks back at the splendid neck-ring he has been given by Hrothgar as part of his reward for victory over Grendel”(Price 25). Beowulf was showing humility because he knows that he is human and could have been killed. The Bible speaks about humility in numerous books. For example, 1 Peter 5:5 says that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Nearing death, Grendel realizes that he “once the afflicter of men, tormentor of their days—[knew] what it meant to feud with the Almighty God” (Beowulf 490-492). This passage shows Grendel

When people think of a successful king, they often associate them with the hero. However, many fail to notice that no one could own both the title king and the hero at the same time; they need to give up either one of the titles to become a truly successful hero or king. In the famous epic poem, Beowulf, despite Hrothgar rules Danes, another hero, Beowulf, shows up to solve Danes’ problem while the true Danes king sits on his throne and simply gives all honor and credit to Beowulf. To become a truly successful leader, one must know to put down his honor and fame for his people’s safety. Furthermore, a ruler who cares about his people in every aspect fits the title king, not a person who goes off on a quest to defeat the villain for his own

Beowulf also appears to be very religious and, unlike other proud warriors, he always puts his faith in God and gives Him the credit of his victories. Before facing Grendel, Beowulf exclaims to the others in the hall, "... Let God in his wisdom/ Extend his hand where he wills, reward/ Whom he chooses" (lines 685-687). In addition, after his fight with Grendel's mother, Beowulf returns and tells Hrothgar that he would have died if God had not helped him, "...I'd have been dead at once/ And the fight finished, the she-devil victorious,/ If our Father in Heaven had not helped me" (lines 1656-1658). Even at the very end of his life, Beowulf proclaims to Wiglaf that everything he had acquired had been through the will of God, "For this, this gold, these jewels, I thank/ Our Father in Heaven, Ruler of the Earth--/ For all of this, that His grace has given me..." (lines 2794-2796). Up until the end, Beowulf demonstrates

Beowulf relies on both God’s will and his own strength in his three battles which demonstrates a heavenly connection to what is considered to be good. Beowulf’s first battle is against the evil monster, Grendel and he claims to trust in his own strength as much as in God’s grace for his battle. Beowulf was showing humility because he knows that he is human and could have been easily killed. The Bible speaks about humility in 1 Peter 5:5 which states that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Beowulf’s actions can be seen as Christ-like just as Grendel and his mother provide a sense of Satan.

Another example of generosity lies in the many kennings developed to mean king, all of which symbolize their role as a provider such as “ring-giver” (Line 36), or how to be king is to hold the “treasure-seat” (Line 168). Philanthropy is extremely ubiquitous in modern society as a result of these standards for morals set in the epic poems which continue to be viewed and glorified. Many wealthy individuals provide large sums of money towards charitable causes, such as Bill Gates among many others, similarly to how Beowulf was named a “treasure-giver” (Line 607) for giving many gifts to his thanes for their duty.

Through the lens of Christianity,Beowulf demonstrates how one's character faith gradually descends throughout each rigorous challenge the character faces in this story while the number of preparation increases during the course of each battle. In the first battle between Grendel and Beowulf. Beowulf prepares for the battle by boasting and saying that he will not use a weapon to conquer this demon because Grendel himself does not use a weapon. Which to show that he is confident and honorable and has faith that God will give him this victory and this works out for him during the battle

“Holy God, out of kindness, has sent this man to us to save us from Grendel's terror.” (Beowulf, Beowulf Comes to Herot). The context of this quote is the king of the Danes, Hrothgar, talking to one of his officers. Hrothgar is showing his gratitude for the mighty warrior, Beowulf, willing to fight against the evil Grendel.

Hrothgar tells Beowulf of a selfish king: “He covets and resents; dishonors custom and bestows no gold; and because of good things that the Heavenly Powers gave him in the past he ignores the shape of things to come.” (1749-1752). The phrase "he covets" bares strong resemblance of the Christian Ten Commandments. It teachers that material desire leads to wanting more and more and nothing will ever be enough. Thus, a good king humbly shares his earthly possessions.

In the epic poem, Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, it is said, "Behavior that's admired is the path to power among people" (Beowulf 5). That being stated, it is very apparent throughout the entirety of the story. The main character, Beowulf, quickly comes to a position of power once defeating multiple atrocities and executing numerous heroic deeds. The people in the city admire Beowulf and abide to his ways; but once offered kingship, he declines. Throughout the epic poem, it is obvious that Beowulf would rather be a hero than a king because of the individual representation that comes with it, the rewards, and the self-reliant aspect.

Beowulf has both pagan and Christian influences. Throughout the story there are many elements of Christian teachings: that man survives only through the protection of God, that all earthly gifts flow from God, and that the proper bearing of man is to be humble and unselfish (csis.edu, 2011). While many pagan influences appear in the poem, Christian overtones are more prevalent, exhibiting many elements of Christian heroism in the poem. An example is when Beowulf says “God must decide who will be given to death's cold grip” (Norton, lines 174-175).   He knows that God has already created an ending to this battle with Grendel, and he is lavished with peace. He shows true Christian character, bravery, and faith in the manner in which he

deference to the rightful heirs. Beowulf, eventually, becomes the king of the Geats. “He ruled (it)

In Beowulf, the cultural traditions of the ancient Germanic tribes are expressed. Throughout the poem, treasures are a symbol of achievement, glory, and wealth in the Germanic culture. The possession of treasures such as gold earns one respect within the Germanic tribes. Moreover, the act of partitioning is celebrated and it earns you a title of a good king and warrior. While the doing the opposite condemns you and titles you a greedy king and warrior.