Beowulf (836-1320)

Though saying Beowulf is Jesus may be a bit farfetched, the ascendancy of Christianity is clear in Beowulf’s victory over Grendel as your analysis of last night’s reading shows. The poet credits the Christian God with making Beowulf victorious. Beowulf defeats Grendel “with the Lord’s assistance” (939). The “wondrous gifts” showered upon Beowulf give the strength by which “he overcame the foe” (1271). Clearly, God is given credit for this victory over a descendent of Cain’s clan.

Interestingly, you connected Grendel to Unferth through Cain. Grendel descends from Cain, whom God doomed to wander the earth marked as an outcast for killing his brother Abel. Unferth, who is “sick with envy” of Beowulf, also killed his brother (503). I’m intrigued by the connection you drew between Unferth, Cain, and Grendel. Cain and Grendel, whom you see as representative of pagan evil, are outcasts. Unferth, however, has not been cast out of his community for killing his kin. You suggested that by not exiling Unferth, who is connected to the worst of pagan acts, Hrothgar allows paganism to remain in his court. I’m not sure how much I agree with the point, but I am intrigued and will have to think further on it.

Some points of clarification: Wealhtheow pledges her faith in Hrothulf when she tells Hrothgar, “He will not let you down…and will use the young ones well” (1181-2). She is worried about Hrothgar’s adoption of Beowulf as a son. She worries that Beowulf will claim the throne from her sons should Hrothgar die before they are old enough to defend themselves, and she gets Beowulf to swear to leaving Heorot. Also, after Beowulf’s victory over Grendel, the scop, or bard, sings of two legendary figures, Sigemund and Heremod. Sigemund is meant as a flattering analog to Beowulf. Heremod is meant as a contrast and as a warning of how power can corrupt.

As I look back at my notes from today’s discussion and examine the line numbers you cited, I find that they come from the beginning of the poem to the section you read last night. The connections you made across so many lines of poetry are truly impressive. Well done!