BEOWULF: A GAME OF PRIDE, PUNISHMENT AND PURIFICATION

Abstract

Beowulf , a poem written sometimes between the age of Bede and the eleventh century is still famous for its maturity that deals with the common values and basic human follies,  deeply. The effects of actions, good or bad are temporary within the world of Beowulf. Hrothgar’s building of Heorot and declaration of his owner of the Hall of all Halls, is quickly undone by Grendel’s appearance on the scene. Likewise, Grendel’s ravenous attacks are briefly alleviated by Beowulf’s arrival and success in removing Grendel and its mother. The journey of rise and fall was completed when Beowulf was doomed by the poisonous attack of the dragon. So the poem is presented as a game of God where Beowulf and Hrothgar are the two major players, and ‘Pride’ the very natural instinct of human being works as a force to complete the game. This work illustrates how the pride of power entangles the minds of the towering figure of a nation, bringing the eternal wrath to the mundane world. The paper explores the conflict between the imperishable spirit and mortal flesh between which the second suffers, groans and sometimes pines and surrenders, like Hrothgar or clings to till doom, similar to Beowulf.