The theme of good vs evil is practically the heart of this literary epic just like the heart of Te Fiti is the constant in the movie Moana. Each character in the story plays a role that allows for the development of the theme of good vs evil. Each character also has a background and motives that provide good reasoning as to why both qualities are shown in most of the characters in the story. It is also shown that warriors are willing to go to extreme lengths to be glorified and successful in the period the story Beowulf took place. The literal meaning of good and bad is a topic that can be quite controversial in today’s world in comparison to the Viking era where this literary epic takes place.
It is obvious that Beowulf himself is seen as a hero and that Grendel and his mother are both seen as evil monsters. There are two sides to every story, therefore raising the idea of whether or not all the characters in the story fit the titles as presented. Beowulf is someone who represents good and bravery. He is this famous warrior that is known to be courageous fighting monsters of all kinds and being successful in all of the fights and wars. Goodness can be depicted by showing acts of selflessness or being humble, and Beowulf is someone who shows quite the opposite. Beowulf steps up to be “the hero” only to gain fame and glory by killing Grendel through Hrothgar and everyone in the city of Herot. Grendel was murdered by getting involved in a hand-to-hand fight with Beowulf with no help from anyone else, no armor, and no weapons. Beowulf amputates his arm, and Grendel dies painfully and slowly in his lair. Unferth can also be given the title of either good or bad. He shows a lot of growth throughout the epic, when in the end he gives Beowulf his sword Hrunting to fight Grendel’s mother.
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Grendel himself is seen as evil because of how many people he murdered in Herot. Grendel is the descendant of Cain, which had already made him an outcast. Cain is the son of Adam and Eve and he murdered his brother Abel in the Bible. “Like a man outlawed for wickedness, he must await the mighty judgment of God in majesty. (976-8).” Grendel may be a demon from hell, but he is insignificant compared to the mighty power and goodness of God. Beowulf may be a battle between good and evil, but the two sides are nowhere near equal. This isn't a dualistic fight between God and the Devil; it is God triumphing over all the little, petty demons on earth. After Grendel’s death, his mother is so hurt that her way of seeking revenge is killing Esher. Esher was the only person killed by his mother, and yet she was also hunted and killed later on in the story. My viewpoint on Grendel’s mother is that she is also misunderstood. She portrayed a strong maternal instinct in attempting to avenge the death of her son.
In Beowulf, the theme of good versus evil is used widely throughout the epic poem. Beowulf was seen as a good hero, and light was seen as a symbol of good. Grendel was seen as an evil monster that brought terror to Herot, and darkness was seen as a symbol of something evil lurking nearby. The theme of good versus evil was portrayed widely throughout the epic poem during the battles between Beowulf and Grendel, Beowulf and Grendel's mother, and Beowulf and the dragon. The theme of good versus evil had an overall effect on the epic poem by implying that no matter how much evil is in the world, it can always be overcome by goodness. This was portrayed when Beowulf defeated the dragon, and even though he was also killed, Wiglaf carried on the goodness as he had done before. Therefore, the good overcame the evil.
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Essay on Beowulf Themes.
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2024 Sept 10 [cited 2024 Nov 23].
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