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An Augustinian Reading of Beowulf
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Word count: 947
An Augustinian Reading of Beowulf
The protagonist of the epic, Beowulf is a Geatish hero who fights the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. Beowulf’s boasts and encounters reveal him to be the strongest, ablest warrior around. In his youth, he personifies all of the best values of the heroic culture. Beowulf appears to be drawn by what he experiences as wisdom to approach life from a moral perspective. Compared to Augustine, Beowulf feels pride and always blinded by his inner self that contradicts his morals and beliefs. In his view, Beowulf is entangled in a life that is surrounded by moral perfection and seeks to justify all is actions and decisions. One of the most unique characters portrayed by Beowulf is truth and integrity that appears to overshadow his feelings. When compared to Augustine, Beowulf is rather more liberal and always attached to what he believes as right in the eyes of the public. He appears to be deeply rooted in the life of perfection that he believes is the driver to do good and remain in harmony with his peers. In one instance, Beowulf claims to be driven by a force of goodwill that overcomes his feelings or intimate beliefs.
Just like many heroes, Beowulf is a victim of bad fate that is mostly entangled with his misfortune. He is in pursuit to show that he can do anything and this denies him the vital opportunity to live a life he can enjoy (Beowulf 181). The character is also in heroic journey where he perceives to justify his heroic energy by doing things that other people dared not to attempt. For example, he is in pursuit to create a name that is fully entangled in the sole belief of being a hero that seems to overshow what he feels or how he relates with the members of his society. When comparing Beowulf to Augustine, key differences emerge mainly on trait and approach to life. While Augustine is driven by the belief that good is always the right energy and path to life, Beowulf shows mixed traits that are the key to his traits and behavior. In his view, Beowulf believes that only a hero can save the society from the dangers it faces and thus commits to searching for this inner hero trait. “Wear these bright jewels, beloved Beowulf; Enjoy them, oh fortunate young, Warrior; grow richer, let your fame and your strength, go hand in hand; and lend these two boys; your wise and gentle heart! I’ll remember your, Kindness.”
Beowulf is full of energy and gives little attention to what he feels. In most occasions, Beowulf operates with an inner drive to make it in life that even creates that inner drive to show the right emotions (Beowulf 183). Beowulf is also seen to be very proud of his accomplishments that appears to make him grow distant from other people in the society. He is boastful and takes little regard of what people say or comment. The trait is well enriched when he overcomes his fears that are driven by the lack of close allies in his small circle of friends. He has along the way created foes due to his boastful life that is mainly built around self-driven ideas and beliefs (August 20). Beowulf takes little regard of what the result of his action could bring and only shows concern when he achieves what he wants by claiming to be the hero in times of need.
Both Beowulf and Augustine led a different path in life that is depicted by their actions. While Augustine shows a change of heart by seeking to find peace and stand by truth and morals, Beowulf shows ride and little concern over his mistakes (August 16). The two characters have a different view of life and this is mainly because Beowulf is driven by what he perceives as an inner drive to achieve what he wants no matter the cost. Augustine seeks to derive the right energy into making the best of his last days by seeking God’s guidance and repentance. One of the best ways to define Beowulf’s trait in comparison to Augustine is to look at howe each character viewed life. Augustine confesses that his pride was one of his major hindrance to self-discovery and growth. On the other hand, Beowulf is adamant to make changes in his life but remains boastful and this hinders his realization of the key strengths (Beowulf 189). He is also blinded to believe that he is the best in the society and this leads to his failure and downfall as he ages.
In a closer look, Beowulf differs from Augustine because of how he approaches life in the belief that he stands unique and full of energy to conquer anything. On the other hand, Augustine makes changes in his life and regrets the mistakes he has made in the past where he fights to regain his glory when he realizes that his good life is behind him. The character is also in heroic journey where he perceives to justify his heroic energy by doing things that other people dared not to attempt. Beowulf’s success and perceived heroic journey are the source of his pride that hinders his full capacity and humility. Augustine is humble and seeks to regain his good deeds and make the right move in a bid to make things. Beowulf’s on the other side believes in pushing his way and this has made him deviate from the real course of a hero who should be brave and still show the good side. Beowulf appears to be overtaken by pride and arrogance as he pushes his way to win whatever he finds good along his path to become a hero.
Work Cited
Neidorf, Leonard. “The archetype of Beowulf.” English Studies 99.3 (2018).
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