LRJ2: Beowulf Values, Something Unrealistic, and Favorite Quote

In Beowulf, Christian values and beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons are revealed. This is most likely due to the author. Again and again he brings God into the context of the story. For example, in lines 685-687 the author writes, "And may the Divine Lord in his wisdom grant the glory of victory to whichever side he sees fit" (Heaney). Beowulf says this because he wants the Lord to see that he shall either die victoriously in battle or win alive and well, yet it is God's will to decide. The author is also able to use God as an adjective: "...a God-cursed scream and strain of catastrophe..." (Heaney line 785). In this case, "God-cursed scream" means catastrophe and mayhem. God and Christian references are used frequently throughout Beowulf, either to illustrate a scene or bring faith into a key part of the story


An unrealistic scene from Beowulf is the Battle in which he goes against Grendel's mother. They fought for quite a while and Beowulf eventually becomes weaponless. However, he luckily was able to acquire a sword in which he uses to kill her. "Then he saw a blade that blooded well, a sword in her armory, an ancient heirloom from the days of the giants, an ideal weapon, one the anyone would envy..." (Heaney lines 1557-1560). The sword described in this passage seems all to perfect, and is found at such a convenient time. It seems to far fetched that Beowulf would be able to access and get a hold of such a magnificent weapon, just in time to kill Grendel's mother.


One of my favorite quotes from Beowulf, is when Beowulf has killed Grendel and his head is being admired by the people in the mead hall. "Grendel's head was hauled by the hair, dragged across the floor where the people were drinking, an honor for both queen and company to behold. They stared in awe. It was an astonishing sight" (Heaney lines 1647-1650). I really like this quote because it contains imagery of the defeated Grendel's beheaded face and the reaction of the people to this sight. This quote also shows the values of the Anglo-Saxons. They were so amazed, astounded, and proud that their hero Beowulf, had rescued their lovely dining hall. This quote ends the story on a good note.