Gods Chosen Soldier

“Beowulf”, is a story of a man who seems to be unrealistic to people of today. Yet the character, Beowulf still arouses the imagination of any generation from all over the world. “Beowulf”, is undoubtedly one of the most studied, debated over, and read epics of all times. One of the most controversial topics in the tale is the juxtaposition of Christian ethics which are found throughout the story, yet the time frame of the tale was a time that is known as mainly a pagan belief existing among the people. Upon researching different authors, one can find every possible interpretation imaginable about the Christian verses pagan elements in the story. However, the fact still remains that either the Christian elements found throughout was derived from the poet or perhaps a man even in the time of Beowulf could have been chosen by God to try and lead the people to a true God. The beautifully written epic, “Beowulf”, tells of a simpler time when a man such as Beowulf could understand and appreciate his unusual strength as a gift worthy only to be claimed by almighty God.

As the epic begins, a far away land is in trouble and in desperate need of hero. Beowulf hears of a fierce monster ravagin

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Beowulf explains in this quote his belief about the fight: “Grendel is no braver, no stronger than I am! I could kill him with my sword; I shall not, easy as it would be. Surely few people can

obtain fame, fortune, and the respect of his piers, in one lifetime. Thus he enters the swamp only out of pure faith of God’s abilities to carry him through. A mere man faces unbelievable triumphs and is victorious every time, well almost every time. Also references are made to the men giving thanks to God for a safe journey once making their way across the ocean to the Danes (Crossley-Holland, 38). Beowulf later informs Hrothgar of his own disappointment for not leaving the bleeding body lying in Herot Hall, but that God’s will was different. A man in the midst of pagans, who will show these heathen people a grace that will lead them to eternal heaven and rid them of an eternal death. Beowulf understood his strength to somehow be of divine nature rather than of his own accord (Norton Anthology, 1058). g and killing men of King Hrothgars land, the Danes. This ending to the epic is what humanizes Beowulf and the entire epic. Hrothgar is overwhelmed with joy and begins to ready the kingdom for a feast unlike no other. For instance, the passage written in “Beowulf” by George Clark, “Between

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the hero’s command, his announcement, and his selection of his companions for the exploit, the Geatish councilors consult the omens and approve his plans even as he leads his picked company to the sea and the ready ship”(Clark, 53). Beowulf has by this time grown very old, and has been the King of his own people, the Geats for many years.

As we prepare to encounter the beast Grendel with Beowulf, we find that Beowulf seems confident not in his own talents, but in God. An apparent love is shown from Hrothgar to Beowulf, by the elaborate measures he goes to repay him for this most wonderful of deeds he has performed of the Danes.

Approximate Word count = 1798
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

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