Essential #2

Discuss biblical allusions and religious symbolism in Beowulf.

There are numerous different religious allusions and symbolism presented in Beowulf. Both the Danes and the Geats believe that God and fate are the reason for all of life's events. People, like Beowulf, all have their futures predetermined. Those who are successful, are given the tools they need to succeed combined with the will of God to enable them to achieve greatness. They attribute all of their victories to god: "had not holy God granted him victory; the wise Lord, Ruler of the Heavens, settled the issue easily after the hero had scrambled to his feet"(1537-1540). God's influence in their lives is praised as Beowulf, a "man [...] much favored by fate"(1685), proclaims his gratitude after his success in the battle with Grendel's mother: "the risk was enormous; our encounter would have ended at once if God had not guarded me"(1639-1641). In addition to God playing a major role in the lives of the people in Beowulf. There are also many allusions to the Bible. For example, Grendel and his mother both stand for hatred and evil, especially because Grendel is the representation of the devil and the "embittered fiend, enemy of god"(1664-1665). After Grendel and his mother were killed, it was like the world was "purged of its impurity"(1605).