Epic Poetry and Beowulf Essay

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Kubra Akyuz
Dr. Roy
Literature 104
Essay 1 Good Triumph over Evil Beowulf is one of the earliest surviving Anglo-Saxon epic poems. It illustrates the story of Beowulf, an epic hero fated to triumph demonic monster in order to save a kingdom from destruction. In Beowulf, the conflict between good and evil is the main theme. The epic poem portrays Beowulf’s experiences coming from land of the Geats to save Danes. Throughout his adventures, Beowulf is fighting against evil, whether it is Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, or the dragon. Beowulf’s, journey to save a kingdom is threatened by evil. In the epic poem, there are many symbols of goodness. The epic hero, Beowulf is the essential source of goodness. Beowulf’s goodness is described in his battle against evil, symbolized by Grendel, one of the monsters defeated by him. The epic shows conflict between good and evil. In the beginning of the epic poem Grendel, who represents evil, is introduced. He is a giant man eating demonic monster. Grendel lives in the darkness and appears from the shadowy marshes in the darkness every night to kill. In Beowulf, he is described as evil in many words: “a powerful demon” (line 86), “fiend out of hell” (line100), “God-cursed brute” (line 121). Grendel holds no goodness within, he is only pure evil. He is the descendent of Cain, the first murderer. Grendel terrorizes the people of Herot for twelve long years. He brings nothing but death and misfortune every night. Grendel offers no salvation for the people of Herot. Grendel was a human once upon a time; he had mother and was in human form. However, Grendel lacked humanness and remained as “the Creator had condemned” (line 107), in other words he become a ruthless creature. Grendel’s falling can be compared to devil’s fall. He worked evil into the world just as devil did. Grendel and the devil are both fallen and unable to gain blessing of God’s love and grace. In contrast, Beowulf travels far from the land of Geats to defeat Grendel. In many ways Beowulf is a typical epic hero.
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