Beowulf - a Story of a Dual Ordeal

Over the years, people who have analyzed Beowulf have had several contradictions within their beliefs. Scholars and critics have come to various conclusions about the themes and meanings behind Beowulf. Though Beowulf may indeed be composed of several morals, the general grasp of the meaning behind Beowulf is what is most important. Beowulf is the story of a dual ordeal: an external battle with vicious opponents and an internal battle with human tendencies of pride, greed, cowardice, betrayal, and self-concern.

Beowulf's pride is one internal quality that few of his time possessed. His pride drove him to make certain his community was always in good shape and protected from evil, including monsters like Grendel .When Beowulf heard about Grendel, his pride forced him to do what was best, and that was to " ( (choose) the mightiest men he could find, the bravest and best of the Geats, fourteen in all, and led them down to their boat; he knew the sea would point the prow straight to that distant Danish shore" (Beowulf 16). Only this internal quality that Beowulf possessed would encourage him to decide to go to the Danish Shore and save those in danger of Grendel with little prior notice. This internal pride encouraged Beowulf to decide to fight Grendel with no weapons as well. Beowulf felt that "fate will unwind as it must"( Beowulf 18), and with that decided no swords would be used. If fate was destined, all Beowulf would need were his hands to fight. Beowulf's internal pride is only one part of his dual ordeal of battle which left his name to live on forever.

Beowulf's external conflicts are also part of his dual ordeal. Beowulf must defeat Grendel, who had been terrorizing the "Herot." Though Beowulf has a great deal of experience with his earlier battles with monsters, Grendel would still be a challenge for him. Beowulf's decision to use no weapons falls under his external conflict as well because he would have to use his hands in order to defeat Grendel. Since Grendel has never faced anyone who has tried to harm him, Beowulf hoped that Grendel would be afraid and would retreat. Beowulf's rivalry with Unferth also falls under his external conflicts. Unferth taunts Beowulf about how "all older and wiser heads warned (him) not to" (Beowulf 19), but Beowulf never listens and still faces the monsters that are threatening the community. Unferth's opposition with Beowulf attempts to work at Beowulf's pride but Unferth fails. Beowulf faces many external conflicts which are only one part of his experiences.

Beowulf faces betrayal and self-concern, which also effect how battles in his life play out. Beowulf did everything for his men and the community when he was young and capable. People proclaimed that no where "was there a warrior worthier to rule over men" (Beowulf 26) than Beowulf because of everything that Beowulf committed himself to doing. When Beowulf was an old man and King of Geatland, he had to face a fire dragon. Though Beowulf had helped so many when he was young and strong, only Wiglaf, his kinsmen and attendant, came to support Beowulf. " Beowulf's comrades, witnessing the combat from a distance, retreated in terror" (Beowulf 27). Beowulf and Wiglaf were no match for a fire dragon, and this battle ends up being the last Beowulf would face before his death. Betrayal becomes the final factor of many that Beowulf encounters which lead to the end of his life.

Beowulf is the story of a dual ordeal: an external battle with vicious opponents and an internal battle with human tendencies of pride, greed, cowardice, betrayal, and self-concern. In his adventure, Beowulf faces many factors which play a major part in his battles. His internal pride is in conflict with his external conflicts, and at the end, Beowulf falls due to betrayal by others. Many themes make up Beowulf,but the idea that the story involved a dual experience portrays the most relevance.