Beowulf as a Christlike Figure
The epic poem, Beowulf, recounts the tale of a man named Beowulf who sacrifices his own safety to save the Danes from two evil dragons. Then, years later, Beowulf risks his life yet again to save his own people from a dragon. Throughout the story, Beowulf is presented as a Christ-like figure. This is manifested in the events that take place, the way that Beowulf speaks about himself, and the way the people treat him. The first way Beowulf's likeness to Christ is revealed, is through the events that take place. After Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he will fight Grendel, there is a celebration. During the celebration, Welthow, the queen "raised a flowing cup" (615) and poured "a portion from the jeweled cup/ For each" (621-622). When she got to Beowulf, she "thanked God for answering her prayers" (625). This event is strikingly similar to the Last Supper when Jesus passed around a cup
This is similar to the resurrection of Jesus. All of these events clearly parallel the events of Jesus' day. When Hrothgar hears that Beowulf has come to help him, he says that God "Has sent him as a sign of His grace, a mark/ Of His favor, to help us defeat Grendel/ And end that terror" (382-384). Throughout the poem, there are many similarities between Beowulf and Jesus. Finally, Beowulf is said to have "Gone to a glorious death" (3037) and his soul "Left his flesh, flew to glory" (2820). (2532-2535)Likewise, Jesus was the only man who could do his job. Therefore, the people's actions and opinons of Beowulf are very similar to people's actions and opinions of Jesus. Thus, no man could defeat evil without the help of God. Beowulf says "I already knew that all/ My purpose was this: to win the good will/ Of your people" (633-635).
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