Theme Of Fate In Beowulf

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Treatment of Fate in Grendel and Beowulf
Anglo-Saxon influence in the novel Beowulf is evident because of how often the idea of wyrd is portrayed. For instance, when Beowulf brags to Hrothgar he states “...Death was my errand and the fate./ They had earned” (Beowulf 158-159). Beowulf lives and dies by the concept of fate in the story. Beowulf chooses to fight Grendel without his sword or his shield. He does this because he believes “God must decide./ Who will be given to death’s cold grip” (Beowulf 174-175). Beowulf feels that victory lies within God’s hands and if he supposed to win he will, whether he uses his weapon or not. Finally, because of fate Beowulf decides to take on the Dragon later on in the book. The belief of fate makes many people seek fame in order to achieve immortality. Beowulf thinks that if he is able to take …show more content…
For example, Grendel views fate differently than the dragon, who believes that everyone's fate on earth was death. When Grendel goes to speak to the Dragon the dragon states “ … And even if, say, i interfere… -- even then I do not change the future, I merely do what I saw from the beginning… So much for free will and intercession” (Gardner 63). Grendel feels no remorse for hounding Hrothgar because of fate. Grendel feels as though he does not need a reason to harass the king, because evilness is in his character . In Grendel’s eyes he feels he does not need an explanation because “Blood-lust and rage are my character” ( Gardner 123). Throughout the story there are multiple signs of Grendel’s upcoming demise, he, however, ignores all signs because he is trying to deny his fate, to forge his own path. Grendel’s treatment of fate can clearly be seen when even though he is mere minutes away from death he continues to try, with all his might to stave away death, stating that “. . . And though I fight it with all my will I know in advance that I can’t win” ( Gardner

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