Old Testament Allusions In Beowulf Essays - Beowulf, Geats, Monsters

Old Testament Allusions In Beowulf Thesis: The Beowulf poet incorporates Old Testament allusions in order to teach the Anglo-Saxon pagans about the new religion. I. Biblical Allusion A. The Definition of Allusion B. The Old Testament II. Descendant of Cain A. Story of Cain B. Grendel 1. Descendant a. Committing Murder b. Living as Grendel III. Allusions to David and Goliath A. Story of David and Goliath B. Story of She-Monster C. Death of the She-Monster 1. Decapitation IV. The Serpent A. Story of the Serpent B. Story of the Dragon 1. Allusion to Satan V. Lord of the Universe A. Act of Creation B. Ruler of All Adam Bussey Dr Vivone English 4A, Period 5 24 April 2000 Old Testament Allusions in Beowulf Throughout literature, many writers have alluded to stories in the Bible. Whether it's from the Old Testament or the New Testament, writers have paid references to Biblical stories. In literary analysis, this is called an allusion. The Oxford Encyclopedic English Dictionary defines an allusion as a reference, especially a covert, or indirect one (37). In the case of Beowulf, the allusion is referring to instances in the Bible. The specific references are to stories told in the Old Testament. During the time period of the poet of Beowulf, there were many Anglo-Saxon pagans. The pagans are people not subscribing to any of the major religions of the world. At this time, the new religion of Christianity also came about in this region. Religion, therefore, is taught through stories, such as those of the Old Testament. The Beowulf poet incorporates Old Testament allusions in order to teach the Anglo-Saxon pagans about the new religion. The first Biblical allusion told in the epic poem is about Cain. Cain was a character in the Old Testament who committed the first murder. He had grown so jealous of his brother that he murdered him. In the Judeo-Christian world, he represents the first real evil act committed by man against another man. This is alluded to by the story of the Grendel monster. For many years, the Grendel monster terrorized the people of Herot. He came in and killed the inhabitants by slashing and even eating some of them. This act is much like the act that Cain committed and therefore Grendel's actions can be traced back to Cain. Grendel is a descendant of Cain because he committed the same act of murder. The Grendel monster also did not have a very promising life. His life contained no positive outlooks. He lived in his abode only to go out of it to kill and plunder for treasure. These living conditions help establish a reason for his killings. He still committed these acts against man and became evil for them. Grendel can also be linked to Cain by the fact that it tells that the Grendel monster, which was originally a Scandinavian troll, represents evil and darkness (Tuso104). Since he represents evil, Grendel can be linked to the Old Testament, just like that of Cain. The Old Testament allusion of Cain is told through the Grendel monster. A second allusion that the poet of Beowulf told about is the allusion to David and Goliath. The story of David and Goliath is an easy one. David was a very small man who was of no match to Goliath. Goliath, on the other hand, was a giant and was almost unbeatable. David went against this great opponent and triumphed even with his impossible odds. Then, as a trophy of some sort, David cut the head off Goliath and kept it. This story is alluded to in the poem through the story of the She-Monster. The She-Monster is Grendel's mother as well. After learning that her son was killed by the mighty Beowulf, she decides to enact revenge on Beowulf. But Beowulf acts first by searching for the She-Monster. He finds her underwater lair, where she also has been hoarding treasure together. Beowulf uses the sword he was given; yet it fails him. Thus, against all odds, Beowulf still struggles against the giant She-Monster and continues to fight. Beowulf eventually triumphs over the great beast and decides to prove to the people that he killed the creature. He grabs a sword and cuts the head off the She-Monster. This story line resembles much of the story line of David and Goliath. The allusion of the She-Monster comes in two close parts. Both allusions are to the same story of David and Goliath. The first is when Beowulf loses his sword and has