A fate of epic proportions
Instances of fate are scattered throughout Beowulf. Whether Beowulf is considered a Christian poem or a part of paganism, or whether it is completely neglected as a religious one, it cannot be denied that there are certain examples in this poem, which is too convenient not to act. Something more weird or controlled. As a heroic hero, Beowulf is supposed to have superhuman strength with the ability to achieve something that no one else could achieve. Furthermore, Beowulf seems destined to be the leader of the people, and his life represents a testament to both strength and leadership. In the poem, Beowulf may have been a failure in his forefather, and he did not have the wherewithal to ever become a true prince in his own right, but a trick of fate intervenes along the way to fulfill his true destiny. divine deeds and leadership.
At the beginning of the poem, before the author solemnly introduces Beowulf, Grendel lays waste to Hrothgar’s kingdom. The only man who can defeat Grendel is Beowulf, a man who owes a debt of gratitude to Hrothgar who once helped Beowulf’s father. Beowulf hears of Hrothgar’s plight from across the ocean and decides time for “old friendship” and pays his father’s debt (376) . This seems to be a double whammy at least. Not only does Beowulf have the strength to fight the mighty Grendel, but Hrothgar also has to fight Grendel. According to the poem, “It was at once begun by Beowulf’s father. / At last he [Hrothgar] managed to pay the tribute / and Ecgtheow recognized his oaths of loyalty” (459, 470, 471). As much as there is a sense of fate in this matter, there is only a taste of fate that runs through Beowulf’s life.
Not long after Beowulf overcomes Grendel, he must contend with the monster’s mother. In this battle Beowulf, though still young and strong, fights in a way that he had not fought in the previous battle. Fortunately for Beowulf, he saw the blade well pressed into the wall, he felt in the wall, worthy of a warrior like himself and one “so that he could carry it alone in the battle” (1561, 1562). This is an example of fate. He finds the moment that he is vulnerable enough to need the help of his people or from the superhuman the ability to achieve something no one else could match.
As the story progresses, King Hygelac dies, and the people want Beowulf to become the new king of the Geators for their sons Hygelac. But Beowulf refused to rise above Heardred (2375). Not long after, both of Hygelac’s sons die in battle, allowing Beowulf to take the kingdom and “rule the Geats” (2390). Beowulf has no primogeniture on his part; yet, as before, a fatal turn of events gives him the ability to make what seems to be the future.
Near the end of the story, fate allows the much older hero Beowulf to die. After one of his own kills a sleeping dragon by stealing its treasure, Beowulf decides he must protect his country from the dragon’s wrath. When he knows that this is his last struggle, he decides to pursue the fight with the dragon “for the glory of winning” (2514). So he fights to get gold for himself. Seeing that the dragon will defeat Beowulf, Wiglaf joins him in the battle against the dragon. Beowulf narrates in this final battle, “All things, he says, you wished when you were still young/ And you never vowed, and your name, while you lived, was obscured” (2663-2667). He also tells Beowulf that his exploits may remain strong. This testament to his life gives Beowulf new strength to continue his fight against the dragon. Beowulf, with Wiglaf’s help, slays the dragon and wins the gold, but he also receives a deadly bite of flesh, Beowulf. Something in Beowulf’s life seems to be in control, and it drives him to achieve things that no one else could achieve. He overcomes monsters when he is mortal, monsters, and when he seems to perish. Moreover, the king of the Geators, although not directly in the nation, does this. Whether Beowulf is meant to be part Christian or pagan or not religious at all, Beowulf turns out to be the true heroic hero he was always meant to be.
