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Beowulf: Good vs Evil

Tasia Burns

Updated Jan. 22, 2015

Transcript

Bibliography

Shmoop Editorial Team. "Beowulf Theme of Good vs. Evil" Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008

Why is it important that Beowulf be depicted fighting demons and monsters, instead of fighting rival tribes or men? How do the kinds of antagonists Beowulf face help to keep the conflict black and white?

Beowulf can only take heroic action against fantastic creatures like demons and monsters which suggests that real heroism is impossible in the context of mankind's wars between different tribes and factions. What do you think?

Monsters are easy to dislike
Monster usually has a negative connotation
To promote Christianity
Makes Beowulf look good

Heroism is possible in man's wars
Good intentions bad result
Spanish Inquisition
Salem Witch Trials
Colonization
Civil War
WWI
Bad intentions good results
WWII
9/11

"Shut away from men: they split/ into a thousand forms of evil... A brood forever opposing the Lord's will..." (Beowulf 25-29).

Beowulf: Good vs Evil

By Tasia Burns

Winter 2015

God plays an extremely important role in Beowulf, as do supernatural demons and monsters, but there is no single focus of evil such as the Devil, mentioned in the epic. Why do you think the poet chose to make the conflict between good and evil somewhat one-sided?

Are any of the groups in the epic, such as the Danes and the Geats are depicted as inherently good or evil - or do they all seem approximately equal? Do you as a reader take sides?

Good should always win
To promote Christianity
Stories about heroes winning are better than stories about death

No groups are depicted as good or bad
Both sides have strong values
Both are arrogant
Monsters are only race considered inherently evil
God only one inherently good
Both had to deal with invasions every day

"...Though he lived/ In Herot, when the night hid him, he never/ Dared to touch king Hrothgar's glorious/ Throne, protected by God" ( Beowulf 81-84).

Is Beowulf completely good or does he have flaws?

" Of pirates, raiders sneaking ashore/ From their ships, seeking our lives and our gold"(Beowulf 138-139).

Beowulf is not completely good
boastful
arrogant
stubborn

"...I, alone and with the help of my men,/ May purge all evil from this hall...." ( Beowulf 244- 245).

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