Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

BEOWULF AS A CHRIST-LIKE FIGURE The epic poem, Beowulf, recounts the tale of a piece named Beowulf who sacrifices his own safety to save the Danes from two evil dragons. Then, years later, Beowulf risks his feeling yet again to save his own people from a dragon. end-to-end the story, Beowulf is presented as a the Nazarene-like figure. This is manifested in the events that take place, the authority that Beowulf speaks about himself, and the way the people treat him. The first way Beowulfs likeness to Christ is revealed, is done the events that take place. After Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he will fight Grendel, there is a celebration. During the celebration, Welthow, the queen "raised a flowing cup" (615) and poured "a parting from the jeweled cup/ For each" (621-622). When she got to Beowulf, she "thanked God for answering her prayers" (625). This event is strikingly similar to the Last Supper when delivery boy passed around a cup of vino and gave th anks to God. Then, the crucifixion is portrayed when Beowulf fights Grendels mother. During the stuggle, other monsters come to watch and hold fast at "His mail shirt, stabbing with tusks and teeth/ As they followed along" (1510-1511). Similarly, when Jesus was crucified, crowds drew near laughing at him, hurling insults, and spitting on him. Finally, Beowulf is said to have "Gone to a glorious death" (3037) and his individual "Left his flesh, flew to glory" (2820). This is similar to the resurrection of Jesus. All of these events clearly parallel the events of Jesus day. What Beowulf says overly shows his similarity to Christ. Beowulf says "I already knew that all/ My purpose was this to win the bully will/ Of your people" (633-635). Jesus also knew that it was his mission to come bulge out to earth to save his people from their sins. Later, Beowulf says . . . No one else could do What I mean to, here, no man but me Could hope to defeat this mon ster. No one Could try . . . (2532-2535) Likewise, Jesus was the only man who could do his job. Thus, no man could defeat evil without the help of God. Many of Beowulfs statements are line up to what Jesus said and felt. One other way Beowulf is linked to Christ is through the way the people act towards him and speak of him.