Symbols In Beowulf

Throughout literature symbolism is a storytelling technique that is used too add depth and meaning to the author’s literary work. Symbols vary throughout any novel; a symbol could be a weapon, a character, a beast, or even clothing. However, within the novel Beowulf, symbolism is best utilized through the monsters. Some of these monsters represent fate; some represent a religious significance, and others represent constant revenge. The hero of the book, “Beowulf”, slayed every monster he went up against, until him and his ultimate foe claimed each other’s lives. Monsters play a vital role throughout this epic; whether it is the sea monsters and the giants, which only appear a few short times, or the key monsters, both are important for

After “Beowulf” slays her son, she houses his dead body, and Hrothgar challenges the hero to kill her as well. Even the mother who is a monster still has the qualities of a real mom. She loves her son, regardless; Grendel even lived in complete isolation. The monster would stop at nothing: “She drew / a dagger, brown with dried blood, and prepared / to avenge her only son” (ii. 1545-1547). This restless spirit would stop at nothing to defend her loved one, which is crucial within this epic. Towards the ending of this book, Wiglaf, goes to help his beloved king, and will stop at nothing to protect him. Grendel’s dam is more than just a brief character in this story. She is a one of the few female roles, and is a useful character that offers an elaborate view on love. However, since this Beowulf is an epic, love had to be represented through a monster, for the story to seem more masculine. Grendel’s mother is the perfect symbol for revenge; she will stop at nothing to avenge her son who was slain by the hero,

The dragon symbolizes many things, however the most significant is definitely fate. “Beowulf” throughout the whole story, fought and defeat every opponent he faced, however he ruled for fifty years and became old. Even when he was old, he still fit the into the hero category. The dragon went and destroyed homes within the Geats homeland, and this was the hero’s final challenge. The dragon guards the treasure, which by human nature, is wanted by all mankind. This makes it inevitable that the dragon would be awakened and hereby, sparks the monster to go berserk. This all relates to fate; the beast will bring death upon the Geats land, however the citizens fate was chosen once one man’s greed awoken a monster. James W. Earl states, “…the dragon is that it is a clear prophecy of Beowulf’s fall at the poem’s conclusion” (Bloom 68). This is an expert’s opinion on why the dragon is a very important symbol within the novel. He represents the fate of the hero, and the fate of himself. Once “Beowulf” and “Wiglaf” take the dragons’ life, the wounds shortly kill