Inside the thrilling legendary Beowulf, the theme of fatalism is very evident throughout the composition. Fate will go as it need to. (Line 455) The Anglo Saxons assumed that people were living life as an everyday struggle against undefeatable odds and that a mans wyrd or fate would be what would be (Chickenring 269). The Anglo-Saxons understanding of fate is that it is a force that settings a mans existence regardless of his actions. Beowulf is a valiant hero from this poem, he has struggled many fights and gained many battles. He understands that his a lot more in the hands of destiny. Beowulf knows that no matter how well he battles or just how many guns he uses, if wyrd is certainly not on his side he is therefore doomed. In the beginning of the poem Beowulf is definitely introduced as a fearless main character who has the might and strength of thirty males. As the storyplot unfolds, Beowulf slowly loses his energy until he is fatally defeated. He simply cannot escape his deadly destiny. The author exhibited the power of fortune by exhibiting Beowulfs steady decline of strength through the outcomes of his 3 battles together with the monsters.
Beowulfs trip brings him to the property of the Danes where he is first confronted by a guard who instantly upon seeing him, remarks on his impressive appearance. Never have I viewed a mightier noble, a bigger man compared to the one among you a warrior in shield. (Lines 247-249) Once he and his males are allowed in Denmark, Beowulf reunites with his deceased fathers outdated friend Hrothgar in the mead hall. Hrothgar tells Beowulf that he can desperate to eliminate the ferocious beast, Grendel. He says, It gives me personally great disgrace to have to reveal/ disaster Grendel has brought myself in his persecution. / my men are less. Fate hidden them off. (Lines 473- 477) Beowulf promises to aid Hrothgar and pledges to fight until his death if need be. He admits that that I would totally fulfill the desire of the Danish nation or maybe fall slaughtered in the grip of the enemy. Tonight I will do a heroic deed or maybe I will serve my last day of life within this mead hall (Lines 632-638). His speech to Hrothgar shows Beowulfs courage and assurance in his talents. So , assured of his incomparable electric power, he decides to not employ any weaponry or armor of any kind. When Beowulf fights Grendel he just grabs on the creatures arm and rips that off. Grendel goes back to his enfrascarse and dead. Beowulf earnings to the Danes and with Grendels equip and is thanked profusely by the people and Hrothgar.
This deal with illustrates how strong and brave Beowulf is at this time around. Fate has brought him success in his challenges and he can at the top of his life. He might be strong and strong, but devoid of fate on his side he could be damned. He admits that, Fate frequently saves a great undoomed person when his courage is good. (Lines 572-573) Unfortunately the death of Grendel brings another struggle for Beowulf, Grendels mother. Grendels mother becomes angered by the fatality of her son and wants to avenge his loss of life. Before going into the water to fight Grendels mother, Beowulf shows that even though he is without care for his life (Line 1443) he knows that there is the possibility of fatality. Beowulf methods this battle with confidence because before, but this time through he covers himself in armor and uses a sword for security. Across his chest lay the flat iron net, it saved his life because she hacked and stabbed (Lines 1547-1549) Beowulfs unique sword proves to be worthless against this beast. He views an ancient blade in the monster liar and slays her. Had generally there not been a sword in the divagar, Beowulf might have not been victorious.
Beowulfs wyrd was to wipe out Grendels mother, but he may not have been successful if fate did not allow him to find the other sword. Not very quickly did My spouse and i save my life in challenge under water/ at once the fight was decided against me, only that God salvaged me. For the reason that battle I could not make use of Hrunting, even though that tool is still good/ the leader of guys granted the favor which i see on the wall a bright blade hanging, huge heirloom / so that I came across the right system to attract. (1655-1665). Compared with the eliminate of Grendel, where he just needed his bare hands to finish off the monster, Beowulf seems to be gradually becoming weakened. Hrothgar alerts Beowulf that his durability will not last forever. Oh courageous champion! Your fame lives now in, one good time. Soon in their turn sickness or perhaps war will certainly break the strength, and also the grip of fire overwhelming wave, or swords swing, or perhaps hateful old age the lamps will color that were the eyes loss of life overcomes you all at once soldier. (Lines 1762-1769) Hrothgar shares his wisdom to point out to Beowulf never to let take great pride in overcome him for almost everything in life can be eventually conquered due to the power of fate.
After slewing the two monsters, Beowulf profits great value from the Danes and earnings to his home terrain, Geatland. He and his guys are reunited with their california king and california king, Hygelac and Hygd and tell them of his activities in Denmark. Over time, the fantastic King, Hygelac is slain in a challenge against the Shylfings. When Hygelacs son dies, the full offers Beowulf the tub of the Geats. Beowulf turns into a wise and noble king. He guidelines for fifty years, bringing wealth to Geatland. However , when a thief disturbs a barrow, where a dragon is situated guarding a pile of treasure the dragon turns into infuriated and begins killing the Geats and causing havoc throughout the land. After Beowulf received news of the angered dragon his response was anticipated to be similar to how this individual responded to Grendel and Grendels mother. However, his reaction to the news was obviously a sense of something awful to come. He is not really completely sure of himself. For the great california king it was superb anguish, soreness deep in mind. (Lines 2327-2329) At this point the narrator alerts the reader that Beowulf is going to die in the upcoming fight. The california king long good, was to look at the end of his seafaring days, his life in this world together with the snake though long it had rules the wealth of the set. (Lines 2341-2344) Beowulf places aside his fears and gathers his men to fight the dragon. Prior to embarking on his fateful objective, he tells the Geats a sad tale of the death and the sorrow it brought on the Geat people. This story is usually an indication that Beowulf knows his old age and lessened strength and seems uncertain of his fate. His spirit was sad, restless, death fresh, immeasurably close to the fate that was coming to the old person to seek out his soul separating the two, his life from the body (Lines 2419-2423).
Beowulf prepares himself pertaining to the fight against the dragon by simply protecting his body with armor, realizing that it is not likely he will defeat the monster without security and weapons. When he fought Grendel so many years ago, Beowulf was sure of his abilities and destiny and selects not to work with weapons. Beowulf fights the dragon using his may well and succeeds in killing the dragon. Unfortunately Beowulfs time has come and drops dead by the dragons venomous nip. Beowulfs tragic death signifies the great function of fortune in life intended for the Anglo Saxons. Regardless of how great the warrior, fortune prevails This individual could not in the world, much as he wished, continue to keep any your life in the old spear-leader nor change the span of the Rulers will. The judgment of God after that ruled the deed of every man when he still will now. (Lines 2855-2859)
The author of Beowulf applied the Anglo Saxon concept of wyrd to exemplify just how each challenge that Beowulf fought will affect how he fought against the others. The author also confirmed how a persons fate can be death and just how each challenge that Beowulf fought helped bring him nearer to his about to die day. Throughout the first challenge, Beowulf is strong, powerful, and very self-confident. He arguements and gets rid of Grendel without a weapon and is also very happy with his beauty. He realized that destiny was in the side, although always mentioned that he was aware that the finish of his life can one day come. In the second battle, this time around against Grendels mother, Beowulf chooses to utilize a weapon, however the weapon fails. Thankfully, fate allows him to see a blade in the enemies liar and Beowulf decapitates the huge. Beowulf recognized after his first struggle that fate was on his side, although would he have the benefits of wyrd again while struggling Grendels mom? This is why he might have chosen to use a sword. Beowulfs previous brawl was against a dragon that was terrorizing the Geatland. Beowulf was very unsure of himself. His develop had completely changed because the beginning of the poem. He consequently , protects himself with shield and guns, so that this individual feels more safeguarded while fighting the monster. Beowulfs a sense of uncertainty and fear mentioned that his death was near and that it would end with the dragon. As the storyline ended Beowulfs fate was to overcome and kill the dragon, unfortunately he not to live another day.
Paul Bauschatz and James Earl the two confirm inside their writings the use of the word wyrd advises the selecting power of almost all past activities on present events. It is then affordable to say the heros fatality is directly connected or perhaps predetermined by his previous actions. The Christian religious beliefs states that God decides whether a hero will live or die. In Beowulf, it appears that it is no longer The almighty who determines whether the main character will succeed or perish. It is wyrd, the communautaire pressures of Beowulfs past actions, making his death inevitable.
In the poem Beowulf, wyrd, the everlasting power of almost all past activities on present events, determines Beowulf death. It was Beowulfs fate to fight the 2 monsters as well as the dragon. It absolutely was also his fate to die a hero. Through the story this seemed like Beowulf constantly examined fate. He did not may actually care whether he lives or passes away. He knew that this individual could not control his success. Although, Beowulf did understand, on his dieing day, that through bravery he can survive in the recollection of those who will live after him.
Works Mentioned
Chickenring Junior. Howell D. Beowulf A Dual-Language Copy New York: Arbitrary House Incorporation. 2006.