Discuss the religious and/or supernatural elements of Beowulf's battle with Grendel's mother. Is the outcome of the battle determined by God, fate, or Beowulf's own actions? Explain your answer, using at least one quotation from the poem.
During the battle between Beowulf and Grendel's mother, several religion comments are made. References in the text show that Beowulf is religious and believes that God granted him his powers and God determines who will be spared their life or not. For example, "holy God decided the victory (1553-1554)." This backs up my statement that he believes God chooses who the winner will be based on the fighter and their abilities. I believe that Beowulf is the winner because of his own actions and powers, such as his strength, but also because God decided his role and his fate to live. The story clearly illustrates that God determines all courses of action. Everything is in God's hands. Beowulf states, "if God had not helped me...(1657)" relaying that he could not have won the battle against Grendel's mother without God's help. God's help is referring to Beowulf's strength and abilities, timing, weapons, and basically "looking over him." I believe, along with Beowulf, that the outcome of the battle was determined by God. In essence, the battle outcome was determined by a mixture of fate, God, and Beowulf's own actions; generally, God controls all so therefore they all intertwine with one another.
I believe that the outcome of the battle was primarily decided by Beowulf’s own actions. God may have given him the opportunity to take part in the battle; while swimming to her lair he states “It was the best part of a day before he could see the solid bottom (1495-1456).” This obviously would not have been possible without some kind of otherworldly assistance. During the battle though, Beowulf is the one fighting for his life. It is the impenetrable chainmail he chose to wear that saves him from Grendel’s mother’s talons. It is the strength that he has built up over a lifetime that allows him to use a sword “so huge and heavy of itself that only Beowulf could wield it in battle (1561-1562).” It is his determination that allows him to “never [lose] heart (1530).” It is his abilities and choices that help Beowulf finally defeat Grendel’s mother.
However, the poster above, modernmyth91, does believe God decided the victor and mentions several quotes given by Beowulf that show he believes that God chose the winner. I do think this belief and Beowulf’s faith that God would not let him down does play a large part in his victory. When he is fallen and fears he will die, he puts his trust in God to do what is best and continues fighting. Beowulf then finds a sword that will allow him to finally defeat Grendel’s mother. God doesn’t interfere to determine the course of the battle, but Beowulf’s faith gives him the strength and courage to use his own abilities to achieve victory.
I agree with Zarathustra’s perspective that god is not the significant factor of Beowulf’s victory over Grendel’s demon mother. As discussed in class, we believe the people of the Germanic culture behind Beowulf have a more paganistic belief. However, the story was changed by adding Christian undertones in order for publication through the church. Beowulf to me is a story about a man with tremendous strength and bravery, with splices of Christian messages. During, the fight it is not god who saves Beowulf from the hell-bride’s talons, but it was his chain mail hilt. It is not the sharpness of a deity that Beowulf relies on, but it is the sword given to him by Unferth. However, there is a splice of religion when the fight appears to be at a stalemate and then the narrator says in lines 1552-56, “holy God decided the victor. It was easy for the Lord, the Ruler of Heaven, to redress the balance once Beowulf got on his feet.” I feel this line was only added to appease the monk readers .Shortly after, we can observer the paganistic traces as he spots the sword in line 1558“a sword in her armory, an ancient heirloom from the days of the giants.” Beowulf takes the sword from the demon-spawn, one that no man of lesser strength could wield, and servers the neck of Grendel’s mother. All in all, this fight wasn’t won by a divine spirit, but it was one by Beowulf’s chain mail armor, is tremendous strength and his perseverance to never give up.
There are several supernatural elements presented in the battle bewteen Beowulf and Grendel's mother. It was said that it took Beowulf majority of the day to swim down under to arrive at Grendel's Mothers lair. This clearly is a supernatural trait that is presented by Beowulf. When it comes down to the fight I believe there are several factors that resulted in Beowulf's victory. Beowulf's courage was definitely a distinct factor in his victory. Without it he would have never been able to face Grendel or his mother. Religion and supernatural strength also took into play. As stated in previous blogs "holy God decided the victory" (1553/1554) this assures us that God might indeed be a distinct part of the outcome of the battle, God could have been the main factor as to why Beowulf gained his courage and acquirsupered his superhuman strength.
During the battle between Beowulf and Grendel's mother, several religion comments are made. References in the text show that Beowulf is religious and believes that God granted him his powers and God determines who will be spared their life or not. For example, "holy God decided the victory (1553-1554)." This backs up my statement that he believes God chooses who the winner will be based on the fighter and their abilities. I believe that Beowulf is the winner because of his own actions and powers, such as his strength, but also because God decided his role and his fate to live. The story clearly illustrates that God determines all courses of action. Everything is in God's hands. Beowulf states, "if God had not helped me...(1657)" relaying that he could not have won the battle against Grendel's mother without God's help. God's help is referring to Beowulf's strength and abilities, timing, weapons, and basically "looking over him." I believe, along with Beowulf, that the outcome of the battle was determined by God. In essence, the battle outcome was determined by a mixture of fate, God, and Beowulf's own actions; generally, God controls all so therefore they all intertwine with one another.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the outcome of the battle was primarily decided by Beowulf’s own actions. God may have given him the opportunity to take part in the battle; while swimming to her lair he states “It was the best part of a day before he could see the solid bottom (1495-1456).” This obviously would not have been possible without some kind of otherworldly assistance. During the battle though, Beowulf is the one fighting for his life. It is the impenetrable chainmail he chose to wear that saves him from Grendel’s mother’s talons. It is the strength that he has built up over a lifetime that allows him to use a sword “so huge and heavy of itself that only Beowulf could wield it in battle (1561-1562).” It is his determination that allows him to “never [lose] heart (1530).” It is his abilities and choices that help Beowulf finally defeat Grendel’s mother.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the poster above, modernmyth91, does believe God decided the victor and mentions several quotes given by Beowulf that show he believes that God chose the winner. I do think this belief and Beowulf’s faith that God would not let him down does play a large part in his victory. When he is fallen and fears he will die, he puts his trust in God to do what is best and continues fighting. Beowulf then finds a sword that will allow him to finally defeat Grendel’s mother. God doesn’t interfere to determine the course of the battle, but Beowulf’s faith gives him the strength and courage to use his own abilities to achieve victory.
I agree with Zarathustra’s perspective that god is not the significant factor of Beowulf’s victory over Grendel’s demon mother. As discussed in class, we believe the people of the Germanic culture behind Beowulf have a more paganistic belief. However, the story was changed by adding Christian undertones in order for publication through the church. Beowulf to me is a story about a man with tremendous strength and bravery, with splices of Christian messages. During, the fight it is not god who saves Beowulf from the hell-bride’s talons, but it was his chain mail hilt. It is not the sharpness of a deity that Beowulf relies on, but it is the sword given to him by Unferth. However, there is a splice of religion when the fight appears to be at a stalemate and then the narrator says in lines 1552-56, “holy God decided the victor. It was easy for the Lord, the Ruler of Heaven, to redress the balance once Beowulf got on his feet.” I feel this line was only added to appease the monk readers .Shortly after, we can observer the paganistic traces as he spots the sword in line 1558“a sword in her armory, an ancient heirloom from the days of the giants.” Beowulf takes the sword from the demon-spawn, one that no man of lesser strength could wield, and servers the neck of Grendel’s mother. All in all, this fight wasn’t won by a divine spirit, but it was one by Beowulf’s chain mail armor, is tremendous strength and his perseverance to never give up.
ReplyDeleteThere are several supernatural elements presented in the battle bewteen Beowulf and Grendel's mother. It was said that it took Beowulf majority of the day to swim down under to arrive at Grendel's Mothers lair. This clearly is a supernatural trait that is presented by Beowulf. When it comes down to the fight I believe there are several factors that resulted in Beowulf's victory. Beowulf's courage was definitely a distinct factor in his victory. Without it he would have never been able to face Grendel or his mother. Religion and supernatural strength also took into play. As stated in previous blogs "holy God decided the victory" (1553/1554) this assures us that God might indeed be a distinct part of the outcome of the battle, God could have been the main factor as to why Beowulf gained his courage and acquirsupered his superhuman strength.
ReplyDelete