Perkins 1

Jessica Perkins

Flavin

British Literature I

9 March 2016

The Relevance of Beowulf

From oral tradition to poetry and prose, literature has been a part of society and culture

since the beginning of time. Literature serves as a window into other cultures and time periods,

allowing readers to better understand history. It allows readers to critically think about human

nature and society as a whole. It allows readers to see how man has changed, and gives them a

first-hand account of what historic cultures were truly like.

Many famous works today were written thousands of years ago, but still find relevance in

modern society. One of these works is the classic epic Beowulf. Beowulf is the longest surviving

poem written in Old English (Black 62). Even though only one copy of the original still exists,

it has found a place in the genre of sophisticated literature, and is taught in high schools and

universities frequently. This epic gives readers a glimpse into early medieval culture. It shows

what heroism was as opposed to what it is now, the honor system that they lived by, and what

villains such as Grendel do to society.

One of the elements of Beowulf that still finds relevance in modern culture is that of

heroism. The epic is about a warrior who comes to the aid of a society who is constantly being

attacked by a ravenous beast named Grendel. When Grendel comes he tears the hall to pieces

and kills many at a time. When Grendel first attacks he waits unit everyone is asleep, and he

takes thirty thanes as his prize. (Lines 115-123). Night after night he comes and this goes on for

twelve years. Good King Hrothgar sees his kingdom in distress and is at a loss of what to do. His
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thanes start seeking shelter elsewhere and the hall begins to thin out. Hrothgar and his subjects

try many different tactics to get rid of the horrible monster. They try offering sacrifices and

offerings to pagan gods and even attempt to ask the devil himself for help, but nothing seems to

work. They are still plagued time and time again by Grendel (Lines 138-185). Then along comes

the fearless warrior Beowulf. He comes and tells Hrothgar and his subjects that he can indeed

fight off this awful being. Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he has heard of the troubles the hall has

seen. He tells him, My own people advised me, the best warriors and the wisest men, that I

should seek you out, because they knew the might of my strength (Lines 415-418). He then

goes on to tell how he has exemplified bravery, defeated sea monsters, slain giants, and

destroyed his enemies (Lines 421-424). Not only is he establishing what he has already

accomplished, but he is assuring Hrothgar of his strength and bravery based on the testimony of

others.

When readers experience the epic of Beowulf they are taken back to a time of great,

victorious heroes who slay the dragon, get lots of treasure, and happily rule the kingdom with

great satisfaction. That is the modern picture of what a hero in medieval times looked like.

Today, modern culture is still familiar with heroes. When a people think about heroes today, the

first thing that comes to mind is probably the fictional heroes like Batman and Superman. They

may also think more realistically, and look to those who have graciously given their lives for

others, such as soldiers who fight daily to keep our country safe. Every culture has its own

classic hero stories. When people read this classic epic, they are able to compare and contrast the

element of heroism.

What modern readers may not know is during the time this epic was written, there was

not a word for a hero. Beowulf would have been known as an adventure seeker or even as a
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warrior. The character of Beowulf is that of a man trying to make a name for himself, as opposed

to a man who sits waiting to be called to a society in distress. He would have heard about the

trouble that Heorot was experiencing and gone to defeat Grendel in hopes of distinguishing

himself. He would have set out with the sole purpose of achieving glory and honor among others.

Travelling to a foreign land that needed assistance would help him achieve this (Gwara 13-15).

This explains a lot about Beowulfs character. For example, why he is so proud. It explains why

he brags so much when he first comes to Herorot. It also explains why he is so eager to go to

battle and why he seems almost fearless. He knows that if he successfully accomplishes his task

and wins the battle he will achieve the fame he was after. He also knows that even if he dies, he

will die doing something noble, and will still die with fame and glory. This would have been

common in this time period, but in relation to today, it is a foreign figure.

Today, thrill seekers and glory hunters are frowned upon. They are often considered

pompous and proud, and exhibit characteristics that are considered annoying. However this

concept allows readers to also think about human nature. Most people today still seek fame and

glory whether they admit it or not. However, this is even the plot of many novels and movies of

the day. A person seeking fame and fortune so they will be known and will stop at nothing to get

it. Man has not changed, and human nature is still the same as it always was.

In contrast to Beowulf, consider the character of Unferth. Unferth is a jealous man, who

is also seeking fame and glory. He knows that Beowulf has come to kill Grendel and in a sense

take away all that he wants. Unferth is angry that a foreigner has come to save his society and

take away the glory that he desperately craves. According to the text, that brave seafarer, sorely

vexed him, for he did not wish that any other man on this middle-earth should care for glory

under the heavens, more than he himself (Lines 502-505).

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The reader can also sense the tension between the two characters in Unferths speech

beginning in line 499. He recounts the stories of his past glories that Beowulf had just told

Hrothgar and his subjects. He points out that some of the events Beowulf mentioned succeeding

in and being involved in were done out of the proud willfulness to prove himself regardless of

the consequences. He is attempting to discredit Beowulf and take away the assurance Beowulf

has instilled.

Other than being selfish, jealous, and annoying, Unferth is a character who has

committed a terrible crime. He has killed a member of his family, which was a huge crime in

medieval times just as it is today. However, he has been taken in by Hrothgar and won the trust

of Hrothgars men. In comparison to the characteristics of a hero that Beowulf exemplifies, the

opposite is seen in Unferth. Not only has he committed the sin of Cain--killing his own kin--but

he lacks the courage to confront Grendel. Lacking this courage, he forfeits glory and honor. He

forfeits all that Beowulf gains by killing the monster and restoring peace and joy to Heorot.

However, even though Unferth is a coward and he and Beowulf have their differences at the

beginning of the story, his character does indeed improve. Consider the portion of the story

where Unferth lends his sword Hrunting to Beowulf. In a sense he is aiding the one whom he

knows can truly be the hero and help the common good (Kroll 126-127). Even though Unferth is

the opposite of the honorable Beowulf, the reader sees the way that his heart changes and

perhaps man can change for the better. The classic story scene is played out, the good hero

influencing his negative opponents. Not only has man not changed, but literature and life lessons

have also not changed.

Like all forms of literature, there is a villain in this classic story that can only be defeated

by a fearless hero. The whole reason the hero Beowulf comes to Heorot is to save society from
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the evil Grendel. He is the monster that lurks in the dark. When Grendel strikes he is vicious and

has no mercy, he even eats some of the kings subjects alive. Grendel is described as having

bore Gods anger (Line 711). He is also described as Gods adversary. The captive of Hell

(Lines 786-787), along with The loathsome creature (Line 815). These descriptions make the

reader curious as to what Grendel has done to deserve such exclusion. It makes the reader

wonder what he has done to deserve the title of Gods enemy. Not only is Grendel something

scary that lurks in the dark, but he is a monster from a persons worst nightmare, he is a creature

of Hell. He is the very opposite of Beowulf, who although has his own flaws, is considered an

amiable warrior.

In her essay, Norma Kroll discusses why Beowulf and Grendel oppose each other. She

specifies as to why Grendel is considered such a villain and why Beowulf is the amazing hero.

She takes into consideration the theory that Grendel is a descendant of Cain. She shows why

Grendel reflects Cain, and why Beowulf seems to resemble Adam, but still has his imperfections.

Since Grendel is a direct descendant of Cain, he is the relative of a person who has not only

committed murder, but has sinned directly against God. According to Kroll, this would have

been a traditional motif for medieval literature. Therefore, the poet is saying that Cains sin

changed the disposition of man forever. Since Grendel represents this horrible evil, the hero must

be the opposite. Beowulf is considered virtuous due to the fact that he has courage and is wise,

he is brave and he does not kill his opponents just for the thrill of it. Beowulf is not the most

virtuous man, but is definitely more virtuous than Grendel. Beowulf is considered one of the

most virtuous while Grendel is considered the most evil in all the land. Not only does Grendel

not belong in society, but he also is a horrifying monster who represents the evilness of man

since the time of creation (Kroll 118-119).

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Another important element in literature is the setting of the story. The epic of Beowulf

offers more than one setting. One of the most prominent settings is Heorot-- the hall that

Hrothgar built for his subjects. It is where the kingdom gathers together to socialize. People do

not actually live there, but it is where they gather to drink and have a good time. According to

Stuart Elden, the hall ultimately represents power and significance of lineage for the Danes. In

his essay Elden says, The hall is the centerpiece of community, both social and political (Elden

449). Elden is pointing out that Heorot is the joy of the kingdom and also the backbone. It is

where both celebration and socialization take place and important interactions would have

occurred here.

The hall is also grand and is considered indestructible. However, Grendel does indeed

prove that not only is the hall fragile, but society itself is fragile. The celebrations and joy go

away with the attacks of Grendel. It is not long after the hall is built that the people upset

Grendel, and it is not long after this that the attacks begin and the hall is all but destroyed. In his

essay Stuart Elden says, The hall is no sooner built than its burning is foretold. No matter how

strong its walls or brilliant its life, we are always aware of its fragility and transience. Grendel is

Heorots shadow (Elden 449). Here Elden is pointing out that from the moment Heorot was

established, the outcast was lingering over it like an ominous shadow. He is able to rip apart not

only what seems to be a strong hall but also a community.

Since the hall also represents lineage and power, Grendel would have definitely been

considered an outsider, other than the fact that he is a monster. Grendels father is unknown to

society. His mother is an evil dragon. He has no noble lineage to allow him to be accepted into

common society. He is not allowed to associate with the Hrothgars subjects. He is enraged by

the fact that he is an outsider and is irritated by all the joyfulness that comes from Heorot.
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Grendel is not just a hateful monster who is crashing the party of the happy Danes. Rather he is

an angry outsider who has been pushed over the edge (Elden 449).

Ultimately, after he is killed by the warrior Beowulf, his mother comes for revenge. This

is another example of the importance of lineage and family in this particular society. She goes to

defend her kin, and will stop at nothing until those who drove her son to death suffer as well

(Elden 449-450). This could also be compared to modern society. Often people want to avenge

those who they most care about and take care of their families. This theme also tends to appear

frequently in modern literature.

These instances are not the only places that the importance of lineage and heritage is

stressed. When Beowulf first arrives the guard asks him who he is and where he is from. They

want to know who this outsider is. After all, their good king has not requested the presence of

this man, he is there on his own terms. Beowulf tells the guard of his ancestry, and the guard

reports to Hrothgar, telling him about the mysterious strangers outside. The kings guard tells

Beowulf, My conquering lord commands me to tell you all, ruler of the East-Danes, that he

knows your ancestry, and you are to him hardy spirits, welcome hither (Lines 391-394)

Beowulf mentioning his father and ancestors assured the king that he could trust him. Shortly

after these even tthe reader discovers that Beowulfs father and Hrothgar have a history. (Kroll

122). Hrothgar responds to Beowulfs arrival, For past favors, my friend Beowulf, you have

sought us out. Your father started the greatest of feuds when he killed Heatholaf by his own

hand (Lines 457-460). Here the reader learns that Hrothgar once aided Beowulfs father,

Ecgtheow, who once started a feud and Hrothgar came to his aid. Ecgtheow died before he could

repay this debt to Hrothgar. Not only does Beowulfs lineage aid him in this situation, but he is
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also repaying a debt to Hrothgar and clearing his fathers name. This particular incident also

shows the system of honor that was practiced during this particular time period.

Even though it is over 1200 years old, the text Beowulf can still teach society a great deal.

One of the main lessons it offers is a history lesson. It lets readers see what heroism, honor, and

lineage really meant and why they were so important in medieval times. However, the text does

more than that. It allows readers to think critically about modern society.

Obviously in todays world people still love a hero. However, the heroes of today look

differently than they did back then. In modern society many who are considered heroes do not go

seeking out that title, but they are still needed today and do indeed still exist.

Modern society also has more than one Grendel. Like Heorot, society today is still

fragile. At times it seems invincible, but there will always be something that can take it down. It

will always have that ominous shadow lurking around the corner, waiting to tear it apart. The

Grendel of today may not be a scary monster that one would expect to lurk under the bed.

Rather, he may come in the shape of a corrupt politician or even a murderer. In the story,

Grendel would have completely undone the society and taken all the good away, but humanity

would not allow it. Even after he was taken care of, his mother was there to contend with. It is

the same with society today, there will always be evil in the world trying to get rid of the good,

because man is inherently evil. Perhaps this story also shows readers that sometimes heroes are

needed. A person cannot always take on life alone, rather sometimes he or she needs that

someone to help them along. That hero may not be a fearless man who comes from a foreign

country seeking fame and fortune, but sometimes everyone needs a little comfort and someone to

help them through the obstacles of life.

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Out of everything that Beowulf teaches modern readers, one of the most important lessons

is that man is still the same as he always was. He is still greedy, seeking fame and glory, and still

has evil in him. Man still has a hidden agenda, and at the end of the day there will always be

another Grendel to defeat. However, striving to do what is honorable and never giving up are

what is important. From the way man acts to the lessons literature offers has not changed from

over a century ago. This particular text is over 1200 years old and has managed to survive the

test of time; that is no coincidence. Whether the author knew it or not, he was writing a text that

would speak to many people for generations to come. Beowulf will go on to be taught for

hundreds of more years because it teaches these valuable lessons, and it is indeed still relevant in

a world that on the surface seems so very different.

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Works Cited

Beowulf. The Broadview Anthology of British Literature Vol. I. Ed. Joseph Black. Ontario:

Broadview Press, 2011. Pages 62-106. Print.

Elden, Stuart. "Place Symbolism and Land Politics in Beowulf." Cultural Geographies 16.4

(2009): 447-463. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29 Feb 2016.

Gwara, Scott. Heroic Identity in the World of Beowulf. Boston: Brill, 2008. Pages 12-15.

https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=AA-

wCQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP7&dq=heroic+identity+in+the+world+of+beowulf&ots=

HdLx6HJHAc&sig=eftWZuZLw7hi4QEyrwkhMiiCeTk#v=onepage&q=heroic%20ident

ity%20in%20the%20world%20of%20beowulf&f=false

Kroll, Norma. "beowulf": The Hero as Keeper of Human Polity. Modern Philology 84.2

(1986): 117129. Web. 29 Feb. 2016