FREE ESSAY ON BEOWULF AS A CHRIST-LIKE FIGURE

BEOWULF AS A CHRIST-LIKE FIGURE

BEOWULF AS A CHRIST-LIKE FIGURE The epic poem, Beowulf, recounts the tale of a man named
Beowulf who sacrifices his own safety to save the Danes from two evil dragons. Then,
years later, Beowulf risks his life yet again to save his own people from a dragon.
Throughout the story, Beowulf is presented as a Christ-like figure. This is manifested in
the events that take place, the way that Beowulf speaks about himself, and the way the
people treat him. The first way Beowulf's likeness to Christ is revealed, is through the
events that take place. After Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he will fight Grendel, there is
a celebration. During the celebration, Welthow, the queen raised a flowing cup (615) and
poured a portion from the jeweled cup/ For each (621-622). When she got to Beowulf, she
thanked God for answering her prayers (625). This event is strikingly similar to the Last
Supper when Jesus passed around a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. Then, the
crucifixion is portrayed when Beowulf fights Grendel's mother. During the stuggle, other
monsters come to watch and beat at His mail shirt, stabbing with tusks and teeth/ As they
followed along (1510-1511). Similarly, when Jesus was crucified, crowds drew near
laughing at him, hurling insults, and spitting on him. Finally, Beowulf is said to have
Gone to a glorious death (3037) and his soul Left his flesh, flew to glory (2820). This
is similar to the resurrection of Jesus. All of these events clearly parallel the events
of Jesus' day. What Beowulf says also shows his similarity to Christ. Beowulf says I
already knew that all/ My purpose was this: to win the good will/ Of your people
(633-635). Jesus also knew that it was his mission to come down to earth to save his
people from their sins. Later, Beowulf says: . . . No one else could do What I mean to,
here, no man but me Could hope to defeat this monster. No one Could try . . . (2532-2535)
Likewise, Jesus was the only man who could do his job. Thus, no man could defeat evil
without the help of God. Many of Beowulf's statements are true to what Jesus said and
felt. One other way Beowulf is linked to Christ is through the way the people act towards
him and speak of him. When Hrothgar hears that Beowulf has come to help him, he says that
God Has sent him as a sign of His grace, a mark/ Of His favor, to help us defeat Grendel/
And end that terror (382-384). Therefore, Beowulf was like a savior to Hrothgar. Years
later, Beowulf was faced with a dragon living in his own kingdom. However, Wiglaf says
Too few of his warriors rememered/ To come, when our lord faced death, alone (2882-2883).
None of Beowulf's followers defended him just as none of Jesus' followers defended him
when he faced death. Lastly, after Beowulf dies, twelve of the bravest Geatts/ Rode their
horses around the tower, (3170), mourning Beowulf, Crying that no better king had ever/
Lived, no prince so mild, no man/ So open to his people, so deserving of praise.
(3180-3182). Just as these twelve men did, the apostles preached about Jesus after his
death. Therefore, the people's actions and opinons of Beowulf are very similar to
people's actions and opinions of Jesus. Throughout the poem, there are many similarities
between Beowulf and Jesus. These similarities are revealed through the actions and
comments of the people, and the events. However, the latter is the most clear in making a
connection between the two characters. 
Bibliography
BEOWULF AS A CHRIST-LIKE FIGURE The epic poem, Beowulf, recounts the tale of a man named
Beowulf who sacrifices his own safety to save the Danes from two evil dragons. Then,
years later, Beowulf risks his life yet again to save his own people from a dragon.
Throughout the story, Beowulf is presented as a Christ-like figure. This is manifested in
the events that take place, the way that Beowulf speaks about himself, and the way the
people treat him. The first way Beowulf's likeness to Christ is revealed, is through the
events that take place. After Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he will fight Grendel, there is
a celebration. During the celebration, Welthow, the queen raised a flowing cup (615) and
poured a portion from the jeweled cup/ For each (621-622). When she got to Beowulf, she
thanked God for answering her prayers (625). This event is strikingly similar to the Last
Supper when Jesus passed around a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. Then, the
crucifixion is portrayed when Beowulf fights Grendel's mother. During the stuggle, other
monsters come to watch and beat at His mail shirt, stabbing with tusks and teeth/ As they
followed along (1510-1511). Similarly, when Jesus was crucified, crowds drew near
laughing at him, hurling insults, and spitting on him. Finally, Beowulf is said to have
Gone to a glorious death (3037) and his soul Left his flesh, flew to glory (2820). This
is similar to the resurrection of Jesus. All of these events clearly parallel the events
of Jesus' day. What Beowulf says also shows his similarity to Christ. Beowulf says I
already knew that all/ My purpose was this: to win the good will/ Of your people
(633-635). Jesus also knew that it was his mission to come down to earth to save his
people from their sins. Later, Beowulf says: . . . No one else could do What I mean to,
here, no man but me Could hope to defeat this monster. No one Could try . . . (2532-2535)
Likewise, Jesus was the only man who could do his job. Thus, no man could defeat evil
without the help of God. Many of Beowulf's statements are true to what Jesus said and
felt. One other way Beowulf is linked to Christ is through the way the people act towards
him and speak of him. When Hrothgar hears that Beowulf has come to help him, he says that
God Has sent him as a sign of His grace, a mark/ Of His favor, to help us defeat Grendel/
And end that terror (382-384). Therefore, Beowulf was like a savior to Hrothgar. Years
later, Beowulf was faced with a dragon living in his own kingdom. However, Wiglaf says
Too few of his warriors rememered/ To come, when our lord faced death, alone (2882-2883).
None of Beowulf's followers defended him just as none of Jesus' followers defended him
when he faced death. Lastly, after Beowulf dies, twelve of the bravest Geatts/ Rode their
horses around the tower, (3170), mourning Beowulf, Crying that no better king had ever/
Lived, no prince so mild, no man/ So open to his people, so deserving of praise.
(3180-3182). Just as these twelve men did, the apostles preached about Jesus after his
death. Therefore, the people's actions and opinons of Beowulf are very similar to
people's actions and opinions of Jesus. Throughout the poem, there are many similarities
between Beowulf and Jesus. These similarities are revealed through the actions and
comments of the people, and the events. However, the latter is the most clear in making a
connection between the two characters.