Good vs. Evil
Beowulf as a whole is a perfect representation of the theme good vs. evil. The story is about the many conflicts between Beowulf, the epic hero, and the demons and dragons of hell. The good vs. evil presented within Beowulf is based on fate and reputation, in that the belief of fate being on Beowulf’s side allows for his reputation of taking the side of good, while he works to vanquish evil. Grendel, for example, is a representation of evil within the story because he was born from sin, and would never be allowed to see the light of God. While evil is a concrete idea within the story, good is more complex as it is shown through Beowulf’s personality and actions. Although good is Beowulf’s first intention throughout the entire story, a dark side is shown at certain times. When he chooses to decapitate the already defeated Grendel, Beowulf shows a side that could be considered evil. “…Beowulf repaid (Grendel) for those visits, found him lying dead in his corner, armless, exactly as the fierce fighter has sent him out of Herot, then struck off his head with a single swift blow” (Page 29, Line 288). Good vs. evil is presented on the surface of Beowulf through each battle, and also within the depth of Beowulf’s personality, having an internal conflict of good vs. evil.
Fate vs. Free Will
In Beowulf, fate is a guiding idea as Beowulf fights each enemy. Beowulf understands his fate from his youth to his old age in different ways along his journey, but never gives credit to free will. In the start of the story, Beowulf, as he speaks of his battle with the first sea monster in his challenge with Brecca, states “But fate let me find its heart with my sword, hack myself free.”(Page 42, Line 74) It is clear that in his youth, Beowulf solely believed fate was the essence of his living to fight another day. Towards the end of the story before Beowulf fights the dragon, he announces “when he comes to me I mean to stand, not run from his shooting flames, stand till fate decides which of us wins.” Although the idea of fate was just as strong in Beowulf’s mind as it was at the beginning of the story, its role changed as Beowulf died a heroic and honorable death in his fight against the dragon.
Hubris and Pride
Beowulf utilizes his pride to instill confidence in the soldiers
and people of Hero. Hubris affects his decisions as an epic hero because he
shapes his actions around his desire for glory. This is seen in his battle with
Grendel when he decides to fight without weapons to ensure greater glory when he
defeats the monster. Beowulf’s confidence is assured in his belief in fate and
that God will determine the outcome of any given battle, as seen in his speech
to the people of Herot when he says “God must decide who will be given to
death’s cold grip” (Page 25 lines 174-175), referring to his future battle with
Grendel. Furthermore, as Beowulf verges death, his sole wish is to be remembered
by future generations, reflecting his intense desire for glory.
Man's refusal to accept his own mortality
With Beowulf’s primary goal on Earth being to achieve fame and
glory, he struggled to detach himself form this goal upon death. He tell Wiglaf
of his wish for a tower to be created in order for everyone to “remember [his]
name, and [to] call it Beowulf’s tower, and boats in the darkness and mist,
crossing the sea, will know it” (Page 45 lines 814-816), exemplifying his
refusal to accept his own mortality and that he will not live on forever. By
creating a tower and naming after Beowulf, he demonstrates his passionate
craving to be remembered forever, or to be glorified and famous even after
death. Even throughout the entire epic, Beowulf centered his actions on gaining
fame and glory.
glory, he struggled to detach himself form this goal upon death. He tell Wiglaf
of his wish for a tower to be created in order for everyone to “remember [his]
name, and [to] call it Beowulf’s tower, and boats in the darkness and mist,
crossing the sea, will know it” (Page 45 lines 814-816), exemplifying his
refusal to accept his own mortality and that he will not live on forever. By
creating a tower and naming after Beowulf, he demonstrates his passionate
craving to be remembered forever, or to be glorified and famous even after
death. Even throughout the entire epic, Beowulf centered his actions on gaining
fame and glory.