Beowulf
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There seems to be a lot of tension between Christianity and the ancient pagan faiths. Many times, the collisions between the religions merge them--the people have a way of fitting the newer idea of Christianity to their earlier beliefs. But there are many instances when their pagan rites and beliefs are considered wrong by the narrator:
"At times in their temples they made pagan's vows,The narrator seems to have an accusing tone in the strength of his words. Perhaps Grendel is punishment for these transgressions--like the flood or various plagues suffered by errant biblical races.
Sacrifices to their idols, in their speeces beseeching
the destroyer of souls to help the people
in their common affliction. Such was their custom,
the hope of the heathen; it was hell that came
called back to their minds, of the Creator they knew nothing...
"...O unhappy man
who will thrust his soul through terrible perversity
into fire's embrace, eschewing solace..."
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/957/2695/320/grendel.jpg)
I find Beowulf's asking to see the treasure that the dragon guards hard to understand. It seems that Beowulf want to be ensured that his death has purpose, but his asking Wiglaf to retrieve old treasure as he draws his final breaths seems to be materialistic, especially in light of the Christian influence in the work. When Beowulf claims that he's glad he'll be able to leave riches to his people, I understand his concern--however, he then demands that the treasure be placed in the barrow built to commemmorate his death. Does the poet intend to represent Beowulf as vain and materialistic, or are these misreadings--perhaps such rites were so common that it would be remiss if Beowulf hadn't demanded his treasure to be buried with him. The last lines of the poem extol Beowulf as the greatest warrior and an honorable king, but many of Beowulf's actions seem to be evidence of a proud, self-centered nature. Beowulf often appears to be searching for fame and fortune, rather than truth and justice--but perhaps that was honorable then, for those warriors. Fame, after all, was all that brought prosperity to warriors.
It is interesting (and somewhat sad) that the final treasure Beowulf attains is rusted and old. This mimics the decline that Beowulf and his people have fallen into. Also, the dragon receives much more praise and respect from the narrator than Grendel and his mother. I suppose the dragon was only acting in reveng to protect his treasure--that is more forgivable than the violent "glut-lust" and empty hate that prompted Grendel's attacks on the hall.
Hrothgar's sermon seems to foretell the fate of Beowulf--there is a lot of foreshadowing in the poem. He tells Beowulf that time can change all things, but also that a proud leader can bring misfortune to his people. It would seem that Beowulf, knowing he would likely die when he decided to confront the dragon, has done just that. He robs his people of their leader, and brings destruction to his own kingdom by falling in battle.
Grendel
I read John Gardner's Grendel to supplement the epic poem. The novel is narrated by Grendel and recounts his life. Although Grendel was never clearly "the good guy," Gardner did bring some questions to the narrative. Beowulf tends to focus on outward appearances and actions, the poet doesn't give many indications that the characters may be thinking. The characters are merely archetypes set to play in a popular epic. Gardner's novel is centered on the inner struggles that each character faces--the character Grendel, just as the men he watched, attempted to come to a greater understanding of his place and purpose in the universe, until he realized that he had no specific purpose.
Gardner brings the battle that men fight against insignificance to the front of his novel, and not only through Grendel's perception. Hrothgar's mind is glimpsed into, as well as Wealtheow's and Unferth's. The character's are given motives and reasons to act the way they did the epic poem--all characters but Beowulf. Interestingly, Gardner's Beowulf is an insane, sadistic, and incomprehensible man. He speaks rationally and is strong, just as in the epic poem, but he lacks humanity. He seems to function only for his pride, in the name of honor. Beowulf destroys Grendel in a sort of maniacal glee--he isn't a hero in the novel.
This, I think, rubs entirely against the intentions of the Beowulf epic. It isn't a poem about the inner turmoil man faces and his reaction to it--Beowulf is about time, and the changes that time brings about. It is about fate. "What rises must fall." Gardner's story approaches the idea of fate--that it is inescapable--but he doesn't focus on the tragedy that fate can bring, or the (Christian) moral obligation that man has to his own fate.
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