Written by: Alterac (uselessmale713@aol.com)
The inclusion of fate and what happens to the soul when you die is quite common in ancient literature. The Greek epic The Iliad and the essential work of Old English, Beowulf, are two very fine examples of this theme. Fate, how it is, or how it will play out, is recognized in both epics as something all must eventually deal with. What is implied is that the true fate of a warrior, no matter how great, is death. A man’s death can either include honor, or shame, it is the goal of both Achilles of The Iliad, and Beowulf to die honorably. Another interesting aspect of fate and death is the inclusion of an afterlife, and what that might be. In Beowulf, it is deducted that there is early Christianity that has to do with the belief in the heaven. On the contrary, the belief in life post mortem in The Iliad has much more to do with the ancient Greek Gods. The purpose of this essay is to establish a comparison of the power of fate, and the control it has mentally over both the protagonists. Also, it will contrast the early Christianity of Beowulf, to the polytheism of ancient Greece and each of their effects respectively to both characters.
From the beginning of the epic, Beowulf regards his fate as one of a great warrior. This fate is to do as much honor to his name as he can, but all the while, be prepared for death, as Beowulf is. This fate, as shown in Beowulf is that of a great Warrior and ruler. Beowulf, called on by the agony of the Danish, comes to rid them of the beast Grendal.
“Beowulf got ready, donned his war-gear, indifferent to death; his mighty, hand forged, fine webbed mail would soon meet with the menace underwater. It would keep the bone cage of his body safe” (Heaney 1442-1446)
The quest for honor before death is perhaps the central goal for all true warriors. Beowulf quests for this honor before death over all else that is gifted to him such as power, money, and longevity. Beowulf’s glory before death is shown in his actions such as destroying Grendal, hunting Grendal’s mother, and in eliminating the great Dragon after being abandoned by his own men. Although he realizes that he is a great warrior, Beowulf is also very aware of his own mortality, and knows that if he if he continues to battle he will be killed. Although aware of this mortality, it is obvious that he does not fear it:
“Yet the prince of the rings was too proud to line up with a large army against the sky plague. He had a scant regard for the dragon as a threat, no dread at all to his own courage and strength” (Heaney 2345-2349)
The lack of fear of fate and death is what makes Beowulf a truly great warrior.
The ancient classic, The Iliad, is about the great struggle between the Greek Achaeans, and the Trojans. The greatest warrior of the Achaeans, Achilles, has decided to leave the battle field, aware that his fate as a soldier is death. As shown in The Iliad, Achilles, different from Beowulf, is aware of his fate, but instead of being able to accept it, he believes he can avoid it, in leaving his life as a soldier. He is faced with a decision to make. What Achilles does not realize, is that whatever decision he makes, his fate will eventually be the same. This is shown when he makes his decision to return home instead of staying in the war with the Trojans.
“Mother tells me, the immortal goddess Thetis with her glistening feet, that two fates bear me on to the day of death. If I hold out here and I lay siege to Troy, my journey home is gone, but my glory never dies. If I voyage back to the fatherland I love, my pride, my glory dies…” (Rouse 101)
The play that the Gods have in fate of each man is also quite interesting. The Gods seem to have a personal interest in the fate of their humans, and although they cannot change the fate of the humans, they are able to simply postpone them. This is shown by Zeus in Chapter 16 when he debates saving his son Sarpedon. “It seems that a man’s fate is set at birth and cannot be changed, even by the divine Gods” (Students Reader of Epics 183)
Zeus briefly postpones the death of Sarpedon, although in the end, he cannot help his fate. Though immediately, Achilles chooses a life of peace and longevity , because of the fate of his friend Patrocles, he is forced into taking up his sword again. It seems after Patrocles’ death, and the defeat of Hector, that Achilles is somewhat distraught about the future. What is shown is that he now has knowledge of his fate, for in returning to the battlefield, he has sealed his future, and will die gloriously, something he perhaps doesn’t wish for. He now has nothing left but to be mournful for a friend lost, and the future he may hold.
The key differences between fates depicted in both classics are quite present. Beowulf confronts fate, and doesn’t hide from it. He simply is prepared to match any fate that is set out for him. This fate, to be an honorable and glorious warrior who dies protecting his people, is what Beowulf is completely ready for. On the contrary, fate seems to be obvious to Achilles, and yet he strays from it, out of fear of death. Eventually, Achilles does succumb to the fate that the world has set out for him, but this only takes place after many events. The obvious distinction between Beowulf and Achilles is how they treat fate. The true warrior is one that is able to see his fate, accept it, and take it as best as he can. Although Achilles is an incredibly strong and great warrior, he seems to have a fear of fate, never truly accepting it, and this perhaps is the reason he could never be as great as his potential. Beowulf, on the other hand, is the representation of a great warrior. He perhaps is not as strong as Achilles, but Beowulf is gifted with a mental fortitude that makes him able to deal with his fate and death.
Throughout Beowulf, there is much evidence in the religious change if Paganism to Christianity. “Beowulf was written in England sometime in the 8th century. This provides us with an idea that the poem that was written during a time when the society was in the process of converted from paganism to Christianity.” (Duggan)
In Beowulf, the contrast between the Pagan beliefs and the Christian belief in one God, is very interesting. In the Christian opinion, a monster is a once human that has been deformed and mentally disturbed. However, the monsters in Beowulf, especially the Dragon, are much more attributed to the Pagan beliefs. The year that is attributed to Beowulf’s writing is around 900 AD. By this time, Christianity was spreading throughout all of Europe. It is theorized in fact, that the combination between the God of Christianity and the natural beasts of the Pagan beliefs are the primary influences to the writer of Beowulf. The specific Pagan elements that are present in Beowulf, is the manifestation of super human tendencies. An example of this would be the ability of Beowulf to breathe or save his breath underwater. (Heaney 1321-1328) Also, Beowulf possesses incredible, perhaps impossible strength, enough to fight beasts hand to hand. The monsters that are mentioned and take a role in Beowulf are also directly related to Pagan beliefs such as the notion of the Giants who create the sword that is used to kill Grendel’s mother. (Heaney 1642-1670) Also, the inclusion of a dragon as a primary antagonist is quite common in many Pagan stories. It is somewhat obvious that Beowulf himself, is a Pagan. This is deduced from his urge to commit killings of monsters, and his wishes to be cremated. It is quite common in pagan tradition for the corpse of a honorable man to be cremated.
“I can hold out no longer. Order my troop to contruct a barrow on a headland on the coast, after my pyre has cooled.” (Heaney 2802-2805)
Although Beowulf himself might be a Pagan, he exhibits many attributes of a Christian.
“Beowulf has a Christ-like behavior in his good-heartedness and charity. Beowulf understands the plight of the Danes that are being oppressed by the evil monster Grendel just as Christ knew of the oppression of the Jewish people.” (Duggan)
Beowulf seems to understand the plight of the oppressed Danish, and therefore, he understands his role in helping in any way he can. Also, Grendel is described as a descendent from the Old Testament figure Cain, who is tricked by Satan into murdering out of envy . This envy exhibited by Grendel is caused by the desire to live with the “humans” in Heorot. The struggle between good an evil, although represented through Pagan figures, is very much so Christian. Overall, the author does a good job combining the Pagan rituals and beliefs, with the modern Christian ideals.
The religious characteristics of ancient Greece are quite different from those of Beowulf’s time. Polytheism, the belief in many of the Greek gods dominates all aspects of society. This is made clear by the sacrifice, dedication, prayer, and ritual that all characters, Trojan and Greek alike, practice.
Unlike in Beowulf, in which God takes little action directly to society, the Greek gods are physically manifested by humans in The Iliad. Often, the Gods decide to get involved in the epic battles that occur between the Trojans and the Greeks. This provides the change in power many times, because it seems like the Gods take a personal interest in the humans to the point of joining them. The protagonist Achilles is referred to as a son of a God. This means that he is able to represent some of the physical aspects of Gods, such as incredible strength and speed, but he is still mortally human. Achilles, like much of the ancient Greek society, is very religious, and constantly prays to Zeus and other Gods. It seems through Achilles actions after Patrocles death, that religiously, it is quite customary, and necessary for honor to be given to the dead.
The differences in beliefs of the two works are quite irrelevant. The most important aspect of religion in both the works is that it is principle to the character’s attitudes and decisions. Religion is therefore a primary theme in both works, for it serves as motive for many of the actions of Achilles and Beowulf. Although both characters seem to be warriors who slaughter a countless number of people, they both are quite moral in many aspects. Beowulf defends the oppressed Danish because he knows that they are in a position where they are oppressed by evil, and they cannot help it themselves. Achilles feels for the honor that has been taken from his best friend Patrocles, and therefore is wishes to return to war to reclaim Patrocles’ honor from Hector. This has much less to do with advancing Greek power, than to simply stand for a true friend’s honor. Although both acts are morally good, it is shown that both characters exhibit characteristics of Christian, even though both are not.
Between fate and the aspect of religious beliefs in society, both ancient works give many lessons in life today. Homer’s Iliad gives us a good look at the atrocities and pointlessness of war at some points in history. It shows that good, innocent people lose their lives because of the selfish decisions of others. Beowulf teaches of the critical aspects of standing up in oppression. Taking action for yourself and being able to help those who need assistance are great lessons Beowulf examines. Most of all, however, both works show that no matter what, people can never escape who they are. The fate of man is examined well in both works, and it is deduced, that it is impossible for people to truly escape what is set out for them, whether it be honor, death, shame or life.
“Yet the prince of the rings was to proud to….” Beowulf Translated by Seamus Heaney Lines 2345-2349 Copyrighted 2000 by Seamus Heaney
Page 2: “Mother tells me, the immortal goddess Thetis….” The Iliad Translated by W.H.D. Rouse Page 101 First Published by Nelson and Sons, Ltd. In 1938
“It seems that a man’s fate is set at…” Epics for Students by Marie Lazzari and Elizabeth Bellalouna, Editor Page 183 Published in 1997 by Gale Research
“Beowulf was written in England sometime….” Exerp from essay written on the Christianity vs. Paganism that takes place in Beowulf. By Richard Duggan Copyrighted 1997 http://www.essaybank.co.uk/free_coursework/2705.html
Page 3: “I can hold out no longer. Order my troop to….” Beowulf Translated by Seamus Heaney Lines 2802-2805 Copyrighted 2000 by Seamus Heaney
“Beowulf, has a Christ-like behavior in his good-heartedness and….” Exert from essay written on the Christianity vs. Paganism that takes place in Beowulf. By Richard Duggan Copyrighted 1997 http://www.essaybank.co.uk/free_coursework/2705.html
Beowulf Christian vs. Paganism By Richard Duggan Copyrighted 1997 http://www.essaybank.co.uk/free_coursework/2705.html
Beowulf Translated by Seamus Heaney Copyrighted 2000 by Seamus Heaney
The Iliad by Homer Translated by W.H.D. Rouse First Published by Nelson and Sons, Ltd. In 1938
Readings on Beowulf, A literary companion Stephen Thomson Editor First Copyrighted in 1998
Readings in Homer, A literary companion Don Nardo Editor Copyrighted in 1998
Epics For Students Marie Lazzari and Elizabeth Bellalouna Editors Copyrighted 1997