Beowulf Themes Essay

600 Words3 Pages
Scholars and critics have come to various conclusions about the themes and meaning of Beowulf. Although there are many underlying messages and strong ideas throughout the epic, some are more universal and noteworthy than others. Beowulf is a blending of Christian traditions with a folk story that extols virtues of loyalty, courage, and faith in the face of extreme dangers and even death. It presents a model of man willing to die to deliver his fellow men from terrifying evil forces. Throughout the Beowulf, there is a clear blending of Christian traditions and folk story type elements. These contrasting ideas serve to make Beowulf a well-rounded story. The Christian elements are easy to see in various parts. One example of a Christian element is the creation story which opens the epic. Christians believe that God created the Earth. In Beowulf, that story opens with, “The Almighty making the Earth, shaping/ These beautiful plains marked off by oceans/ Then proudly setting the sun and moon,” (7-9), which is clearly the story of Creation, proving that Beowulf has Christian elements. However at the same time, the story also incorporates elements of a folk story. Throughout the epic, Beowulf is described of having strengths and qualities which no normal person could have, showing the fantasy legend folk element. One example of this is seen when Beowulf describes his accomplishments to Grendel. He explains how he was at sea for five days and five nights, and how he fought off nine sea monsters. These feats would be impossible for any human to accomplish, and therefore add the folk element to the story. Though Christian elements and folk elements are often contrasting, they are both present in Beowulf and work to make a complete story which includes a hero of huge proportions. Throughout the epic, Beowulf clearly displays the traits of loyalty and

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