fighting with monsters alone and unarmed. He is very likely to be killed but he has to fulfil his pagan ideals of chivalrous code in order to maintain his reputation. There is a strong sense of heroic pride within Beowulf which is at times in conflict with Christian values. For example pride verses humility and sacrifice verses selfishness. He says that fate does not entirely foredoom a man but his courage also influences on fate. Therefore courageous men are more likely to survive - because of their courage they will receive God's help. Beowulf acknowledges God as his protector throughout the poem. At the beginning of the poem the poet refers to Grendel as the " creature of evil, savage and cruel.." and compares him with Cain from the Old Testament who is also the symbol of evil. But on the other side Beowulf has the strength of thirty man "...and God in His mercy, has sent him to save us " (line 369), says Hrothgar when he meets Beowulf. There are many references to God and fate throughout the po
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