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Examples Of Allusions In Beowulf

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Source: Cain and Abel
Allusion #1: “He took over Heorot, haunted the glittering hall after dark, but the throne itself, the treasure-seat, he was kept from approaching; he was the Lord's outcast” (Beowulf, lines 164-169).
Allusion Identification: The author alludes to the story of Cain and Abel through Grendel and Beowulf, showing Grendel as the villain, similar to Cain. The author writes the character of Grendel as an outcast, unaccepted by the people of Heorot. While following the script of being an evil creature, the author of Beowulf takes it a step further, shunning the creature entirely.
Source Citation: Cain and Abel. Medallion Press, 2008.
Allusion Significance: By correlating Beowulf and Grendel with the characters, Cain and Abel, …show more content…

In the poem, the author suggests that the creator of the swords were related to those that caused God to send the Great Flood upon mankind.
Source Citation: The Great Flood. Knowledge Books and Software, 2019.
Allusion Significance: This allusion is significant as it further connects the biblical, Christian aspect to the piece, allowing it to be accepted by individuals of the Anglo-Saxon period. Within the bible, God grows angry with mankind and created a flood as revenge. This can be seen in Beowulf as God kills the giants as punishment. The theme of punishment is prominent in Beowulf, demonstrating that all actions have consequences, but opinions are also considered. The piece particularly says that the giants are “deluge for retribution,” showing the price they paid for their actions upon the people of Heorot (line 1697). Christian allusions allowed for the distribution of literature throughout the Anglo-Saxon period.

Source: Crucifixion of Christ
Allusion 3: "Now is the time when I would have wanted to bestow this armour on my own son, had it been my fortune to have fathered an heir and live on in his flesh. For fifty years
I ruled this nation. No king of any neighbouring clan would dare face me with troops, none had the

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