Fate, Destiny, and Predestination in Beowulf Essays

Fate, Destiny, and Predestination in Beowulf An epic story is one that combines elements of supernatural powers and heroic deeds with plebeian troubles. In Beowulf , the unknown author paints a typical yet magnificent tale that is one of the great epic chronicles of the Middle Ages. Like the poems of Homer, Beowulf possesses terrible monsters, men with supernatural powers, the search for glory, and deadly defeats. However, this medieval account brings a new element into the folds: the association between established religious forces and personal choices. The concepts of predestination and fate intertwine in this work with the idea of free will. Throughout the poem, characters struggle to understand who and/or what is the guiding†¦show more content†¦Noticeably present, in fact, are references to each important characters ancestors and lineage. With each mention of a character, the father is also interjected (Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow or Wiglaf, son of Weohstan). Destiny initially comes into play when Beowulf arrives at the shores of Denmark and is unknown to the guards. King Hrothgar proclaims, â€Å"I used to know [Beowulf] when he was a young boy. / His father before him was called Ecgtheow† (lines 372-3). Clearly, family ties are necessary to succeed in the world of kings. Beowulf is immediately given leave to enter the country and to â€Å"follow up an old friendship† (line 376) because the King is certain that the young man is destined to be a great warrior in Denmark. Certainly, past conquests and victories play a part in Beowulfs renown, but ancestry is initially more impressive. Beowulfs destin y is, therefore, partly determined by his fathers feats and legacy. The opportunities given to the now famous warrior are a result of the powerful family that he comes from. Thus, destiny plays a prophetic part in shaping Beowulfs future. While destiny and fate are related, in Beowulf the two ideas play different roles. Destiny is the concept that allows sons to be marked for greatness before they have come of age, while fate is an independent guiding force that does not rely upon worldly interactions (knowledge of lineage,Show MoreRelatedFate Vs. Free Will2263 Words   |  10 Pagesone side on fate vs free will. They feel as though you have no ultimate choice and fate will always be your destiny. However, that does not mean everyone follows their destined path until death. In Homer’s The Iliad, fate and destiny as the final outcomes of a person’s life, however, at some points you wonder if a person’s destiny falls directly in the decisions made by someone. Hektor and Achilles both had choices, but ultimately believed they must follow their destiny. In Beowulf, fate generallyRead More Essay on Fate in Beowulf, Grendel, and Macbeth2188 Words   |  9 PagesFate in Beowulf, Grendel, and Macbeth      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Fate plays a significant role in the Old English epic poem Beowulf and William Shakespeares play Macbeth.. The major events of the poem, such as the three killings by Beowulf and his own death, are said to have been predestined. In Macbeth, fate is so significant that it is personified by the Weird Sisters, who drive the action of the play. But if predestination exists, then there must be an agent that determines destiny. In Beowulf, God plays