Beowulf is pretty confident in himself because he says on page 31 that he will not fight with weapons because Grndel doesn't use any. I think this move also reflects his belief in divine power because he feels that God will provide him a shield from this treacherous monster. The point I am getting at is that faith especially blind faith is important in this text. Hrothgar's people suffer because they know the pain in temporary. I can testify that faith is a great pacifier to hold close during dark times, and this is what the characters in the poem depend on.
I think this story shows that faith is deeply intertwined with the thought of heroism. People blindly put their lives in the hands of heroes to save them. People need something to believe in because it gives them security and something to look forward to. Without the reassurance that we'll be saved, life is a big scary place that I don't think many of us would like to experience alone. We must have faith to life and whether we believe in God or not, I think it helps to believe in something or someone because it eases the heart. This is the story about the hero Beowulf which occurred because he had faith that he could beat Grendel, which sent him across the sea for battle.
I think this story shows that faith is deeply intertwined with the thought of heroism. People blindly put their lives in the hands of heroes to save them. People need something to believe in because it gives them security and something to look forward to. Without the reassurance that we'll be saved, life is a big scary place that I don't think many of us would like to experience alone. We must have faith to life and whether we believe in God or not, I think it helps to believe in something or someone because it eases the heart. This is the story about the hero Beowulf which occurred because he had faith that he could beat Grendel, which sent him across the sea for battle.
Jaasmin definitely brings up some great points. I too, had shared in class that Beowulf speaks repeatedly of fate and God. I like him more as a character every time he acknowledges that he may be superhuman in skill and strength, but he is but flesh and bones like the rest of us and could be killed at any moment. It's satisfying to see at least that small part of humbleness in him. On the other hand, Hrothgar seems to be too humble and quiet to even attempt to protect his people which is infuriating. Move your castle or maybe move where your men sleep? You would think after ten years, someone in the royal court would have some stroke of inspiration to prevent Grendel attacks. Reading about Hrothgar made me laugh at his obliviousness and stupidity, but what if he, like Beowulf, also finds great trust in God and fate? Maybe Hrothgar avoids action because it is not his fate. He may feel that it is his peoples' fate to die at the hand of Grendel and that if it was not, the killings would have stopped. Or maybe he thinks he is only fated to rule from his throne and not become physically involved and that it is Beowulf's fate to protect Hrothgar's own people and land.
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