Beowulf Good Vs Evil

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“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). In Christianity, there is a constant struggle between good and evil that is portrayed in the Bible and expressed in the teachings. Christianity also emphasizes the free will that humans are given in order to choose whether they should live a moral life or be overcome with sin. In the novel of “Beowulf”, Beowulf, who is depicted as a hero, leads the Geats to Denmark in order to defeat Grendel, who is portrayed as a beast that has been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years. Beowulf and Grendel symbolize the conflict between good and evil in a Christian paradigm, thus, contrasting each other by symbolizing people from the Bible, displaying distinct values and beliefs,…show more content…
Beowulf is brave and courageous when he is preparing for battle, because he has faith that God will help him defeat Grendel, and he is confident that with God’s support, he is able to overcome many challenges. “Surely the Lord Almighty could stop his madness, smother his lust!” (477-478). He conveys many of the values that are emphasized by Christianity, such as, loyalty, faith, and the glorification of God, and he also shows care for others, which is a core principle that Christianity encourages. He travels to Denmark to assist the Danes and repay Hrothgar, since he once helped Edgetho, Beowulf’s father, in battle. He also stays loyal and glorifies his ruler, Higlac, throughout the novel, risking his life in many situations in order to defend him. On the other hand, Grendel is depicted as a mysterious and evil natured beast who is lonely and unsociable. He is exiled to a swamp by a burning lake, which can serve as a parallel for hell, and also further emphasizes Grendel’s resemblance to Satan, and correspondence to sin. Furthermore, instead of loving and caring for others, he inflicts harm on them and does the opposite of what Christianity accentuates. He haunts Herot for twelve years before he is eventually triumphed by Beowulf, and he preys on Hrothgar’s warriors. “That demon, that fiend, Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild marshes, and…show more content…
Beowulf’s lineage, which includes kings such as, Hrethel, Higlac, Herdred and Hathcyn, as well as warriors such as, Efor and Edgetho, strongly impact the person that he becomes. He develops heroic attributes and possesses leadership qualities and confidence, as well as persistence. “My father was a famous solider, known far and wide as a leader of men. His name was Edgetho. His life lasted many winters; wise men all over the earth surely remember him still.” (261-266). However, Grendel is a descendant of Cain, which impacts his character to become vicious and hateful. “He was pawned in that slime, conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain’s, murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever for the crime of Abel’s death.” (104-108). In the novel, it is expressed that Cain’s lineage will be exiled and punished by God. Therefore, it can be inferred that Grendel’s anger and resentment was caused by the loneliness and exclusion that he suffered through due to the retribution of Cain’s murder of Abel. Similar to Cain, Grendel is disturbed by the happiness, success, and celebrations of others, and he exemplifies malice and bitterness. When Hrothgar builds Herot to serve as a place of celebration and as a social, governmental, and emotional center of the

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