Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

BEOWULF AS A CHRIST-LIKE FIGURE The heroical poem, Beowulf, recounts the tale of a man named Beowulf who sacrifices his suffer safety to save the Danes from twain evil dragons. Then, years later, Beowulf risks his life yet again to save his own people from a dragon. Throughout the story, Beowulf is presented as a Christ-like figure. This is manifested in the events that impress place, the mood that Beowulf speaks about himself, and the way the people treat him. The first way Beowulfs likeness to Christ is revealed, is through the events that take place. After Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he result fight Grendel, there is a celebration. During the celebration, Welthow, the queen "raised a rate of flow cup" (615) and poured "a portion from the jeweled cup/ For each" (621-622). When she got to Beowulf, she "thanked immortal for answering her prayers" (625). This event is strikingly similar to the Last Supper when Jesus passed more or less a cup of wine a nd gave thanks to God. Then, the crucifixion is portrayed when Beowulf fights Grendels mformer(a). During the stuggle, other monsters come to watch and beat 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. Fin solelyy, Beowulf is said to have "Gone to a glorious death" (3037) and his soul "Left his flesh, flew to glory" (2820). This is similar to the resurrection of Jesus. tout ensemble of these events clearly parallel the events of Jesus day. What Beowulf says in like manner shows his similarity to Christ. Beowulf says "I already knew that all/ My purpose was this to win the good will/ Of your people" (633-635). Jesus also knew that it was his mission to come down to earth to save his people from their sins. Later, Beowulf says . . . No one else could do What I mean to, here, no man barely me Could ho pe to defeat this monster. No one Could try . . . (2532-2535) Likewise, Jesus was the scarce man who could do his job. Thus, no man could defeat evil without the back up of God. Many of Beowulfs statements are true to what Jesus said and felt. One other way Beowulf is linked to Christ is through the way the people bear towards him and speak of him.