Reeder 1 Sarah Reeder CP English 12 Mrs.

Tieman 2/6/14

The Allusion of Beowulf Beowulf is an epic that was written by an unknown Anglo-Saxon author sometime between 700 and 1000 AD. Beowulf was one of the first stories of its kind, entertaining people for generations. Beowulf is a unique epic in the fact that it incorporates not only mythology but also many references to Christianity, this reflects the very Anglo-Saxon culture because their religion also included mythology and Christianity. In this adventure, the hero is the same character as the title, Beowulf. Throughout the story, Beowulf goes through many trials and comes out victorious in many battles. His most famous battle was with the heinous monster Grendel, Grendel is Beowulfs biggest rival. He defeats Grendel among many others but eventually meets his match at the end of the story. Though Beowulf is a fictional character, his actions, story, and words reflect and allude to that of the religious leader, Jesus Christ the author of Beowulf clearly drew inspiration from Jesuss story. . Grendel represents the sin that Jesus overcame, while Beowulf represents Jesus. The epic tells us that, Grendels hatred began, How the monster relished his savage war On the Danes, keeping the bloody feud Alive, seeking no peace, offering No truce,

Reeder 2 accepting no settlement, no price In gold or land, and paying the living For one crime only with another. This text clearly shows that Grendel is evil, and only one person could defeat him, Beowulf. (Grendel) clutched him savagely but could not harm him. This alludes to the biblical story of when Jesus fought with death/sin but still overcame it. Beowulf also shows similarities with Jesus when he is fighting with Grendels mother in the ocean. Beowulf went under water and fought her, which would be impossible for a regular human being. When his sword doesnt work, he spots another sword that was so massive that no ordinary man could lift, this represents Jesus in that he did things that no ordinary man could do such as walking on the water. When Beowulf was fighting Grendels mother, all seemed hopeless at one point until he found the sword. The story says, Holy God who sent him victory, gave judgment for the truth and the right. This tells us that God came to Beowulfs aid, much like God did the Christian Bible, for His son Jesus. We see so many biblical allusions in this epic that it is very obvious that Beowulf was based on the worlds first hero. When Grendel and Beowulf were fighting Grendel clutched him savagely but could not harm him, and Grendel was A brood forever opposing the Lords Will and again and again defeated. One quote that clearly compares Beowulf and Jesus is, What man under Heavens high arc, has fought such darkness, endured more misery, or been harder pressured?

Reeder 3 From a biblical stand point, the only person who matches the criteria of this text is Jesus, and in the epic it is Beowulf. This among many other examples, is proof that Jesus was the inspiration behind the epic hero Beowulf. In the bible, Jesus had a right hand man throughout everything he did John the Baptist. In the epic, Beowulf also had a right hand man Brecca. In both stories, the right hand men went on journeys with the heros and were basically the next best thing compared to them. Also in common with the two stories, both of the heros right hand men die in an untimely, brutal death. So not only did the author get inspiration from the Bible for Beowulf, but also for Brecca. He could never leave me behind, swim faster across the water then I could Until a flood swept us apart. In every epic, the epic hero has a tragic flaw- a trait that they have that eventually leads them to death. In could be a good trait, or a bad trait. Beowulfs tragic flaw is that he is too proud- he will sacrifice anything for a marvelous treasure and the safety of all people. While Jesus definitely was not too proud, his death did come so he could save all people from sin and give them the ultimate treasure- eternal life in Heaven. At the end of this story a tragedy strikes when Beowulf dies, sacrificing himself, leaving safety and treasure for everyone else. The saddest part is while everyone is watching him die (a brutal, public death much like that of Jesus)

Reeder 4 hardly anyone speaks up to help him, but just watches him suffer. When he finally dies, the build a memorial for him and he is remembered forever. Beowulf does not only represent Jesus in life, but also in death. So as you can see, there is allusions to the Christian Bible laced all through the epic tale Beowulf. But many do not pick up on the fact that the hero Beowulf is an allusion in himself to the religious hero Jesus. Beowulf shows this through his actions, words, and sacrifices again and again throughout the story. Though their stories might not be exactly alike, both Beowulf and Jesus give us the true meaning of the word hero.