Sense of Doom in Beowulf

A detailed Summary of Sense of Doom in Beowulf


Beowulf is an epic poem filled with violence, vengeance, and death. The context of the poem is filled with a strong sense of doom, targeted at the fate of the characters' lives. Beowulf centers on the Pagan belief of predestination and also on the Christian belief that God protects the good, and not the evil. These beliefs play a role in the ultimate fate of the characters.

The story begins as Grendel was terrorizing Herot. Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, "Wept, fearing the beginning might not be the end" (48-49) of Grendel's wrath. Grendel was eating the Danes and their doom was forever present as long as Grendel was still alive. Beowulf was chosen to defeat Grendel. As Beowulf was regaling about his heroic deeds he said "Grendel and I are called together and I've come...God must decide who will be given to death's cold grip" (269-270). The Christian and Pagan belief are intertwined in his statement that reveals one of the two will die.

Beowulf always had the thought in the back of his mind that he will not always win his battles. He expressed this feeling more than once as he said "and I think, if my time will come, there'll be nothing to mourn over..." (274-75). He believes that if he dies he will have failed and d


Beowulf now had to defeat Grendel's mother, after she killed Hrothgar's closest friend. He was again skeptical that he might not defeat the enemy when he said, "...if your enemy should end my life..." (452-53). He told Hrothgar to become the protector of all who he leaves behind.

The night of the battle with Grendel has arrived and Grendel never "Found Herot defended so firmly..." (294). This sets the stage for the battle that could include the death of Grendel because, "...fate, that night intended Grendel to gnaw the broken bones of his last human supper" (309-11). Grendel's doom was eminent as he "...fought for his freedom, wanting no flesh but retreat..." (337-38). His "...time had come, his days were over, his death near..." (378-80) as he escaped to his lair "...to die, to wait for the end of all his days" (396-97).

oes not want to be mourned over. He also believes that "Fate will unwind as it must!" (284) and if he dies it will have been his destiny.

Beowulf ruled Geatland for fifty years and became an aged man. He now had to fight the dragon that was now tormenting his kingdom. Despite his old age, Beowulf was still seeking fame. He felt no shame fighting the dragon with "...shield, sword and armor..." (635-36) b

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Approximate Word count = 839
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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