Examples Of Good Vs Evil In Beowulf

An Epic Take On Good Versus Evil In Beowulf, good and evil are prime factors in character development, especially so in the development of the hero Beowulf as he faces evil at every turn. Each of the monsters Beowulf faces are the embodiment of incarnate. The Anglo-Saxons held the battle of good versus evil was a lifelong struggle, and that good would always be victorious, and they used this as the foundation of their society. In Beowulf, the concept of good versus evil plays a major role in Anglo-Saxon society, and this archetypal battle helps shape and form characters and develop the plot. Beowulf himself is a central element in the poem, and is shown as the embodiment of good, as God’s chosen hero in the battle against evil. He often

This is primarily shown when Grendel won’t attack the king himself, even-though Grendel kills and eats his subjects and warriors. Even though Hrothgar doesn’t face evil in battle, he still represents the fight between good versus evil in that he is protected from such by the power and favor of his chosen deity.

Wiglaf, yet another facet of the paradigm, is shown as a hero, ideally made to follow in Beowulf’s footsteps, as both God’s chosen hero and king of the Geats. Wiglaf stands with Beowulf in battle against the dragon. Afterwards, Beowulf, with his final words, leaves his kingdom to Wiglaf, specifies his wishes for a barrow by the sea, and tells Wiglaf to leave the dragon’s gold to his

Traditionally, the iconic battle of good versus evil ends with evil’s defeat, with the struggle itself being just as important as, if not more so than, the outcome. This is shown through the battles that Beowulf endures, be it with sea monsters, giants, hordes of enemies, Grendel, the mother of Grendel, or with the dragon that ends his life. In each battle, Beowulf was victorious; however, he always had his own reasons for facing the monsters. He wanted the glory and fame associated with triumph or the honor of dying in battle. As such, it is arguable that he wasn’t good at all as his motivations were selfish in nature, however, his deeds regardless of motive were “good-deeds” and protected others who couldn’t protect themselves. Monsters are forsaken by God and shall never experience the associated glory or presence of such, hence, like their forefather Cain, they turn to the Devil and Hell’s embrace. Monsters know of no better or more right way to be than the way they are; they just are. They live as they choose. Monsters are typically seen as evil, especially as they are forsaken by God and commit acts of depravity. Grendel is evil because he kills the people of Herot and eats the flesh of their corpses. Grendel’s mother is evil because she is Grendel’s mother and attacks Herot seeking vengeance for her son. The dragon is evil because it attacks the Geats. They are the epitome of evil and depravity. And Beowulf