Ethics and Beowulf
Critical Paper
Sydney Grimes
English 2322
Prof. Blomberg
Dec. 9, 2012
Outline
THESIS: The themes of morality and ethics play a crucial role in the story.
I. Battle of good vs. evil is the main over-arching theme
A. Broken down into 2 categories of morality and ethics
B. Underlying theme of Christianity
II. Back ground of Beowulf
A. How other characters besides Beowulf demonstrate morality
III. All morals intertwined with theme of good vs. evil
A. Christianity influence
B. Idea of pride is a downfall
C. Example of it in the bible
IV. Ethics in the story
A. Getting revenge vs. mourning
B. How it differs in today’s society
V. Christianity influence
A. Christianity throughout England at the time of Beowulf
B. God is associated with good
C. Characters look to praise God when good things happen
Sydney Grimes
Prof. Evert Blomberg
English 2322
9 December 2012
Critical Paper
The battle of good vs. evil has been one of the most recognizable themes of literature throughout time. However, these two very broad themes can be broken down into smaller categories demonstrated in the epic poem Beowulf; the themes of morality and ethics play a crucial role in the story, as well as the underlying theme of Christianity.
“ Beowulf is an epic that came out of a warrior culture and was used not solely to entertain but also to teach the moral thinking of this culture” (Chickering 86). Beowulf himself embodies all of the qualities of a typical epic hero, and there are clear examples throughout the text. He is easily the best warrior in the country, which he demonstrates by killing Grendel. “Wiglaf, who becomes Beowulf 's successor, also embodies these traits. When all of the other soldiers abandon Beowulf in his fatal battle against the dragon, Wiglaf does not. He displays courage and loyalty in helping Beowulf defeat the dragon, which is why he is named the next leader. It is true that Beowulf fights
Sydney Grimes
English 2322
Prof. Blomberg
Dec. 9, 2012
Outline
THESIS: The themes of morality and ethics play a crucial role in the story.
I. Battle of good vs. evil is the main over-arching theme
A. Broken down into 2 categories of morality and ethics
B. Underlying theme of Christianity
II. Back ground of Beowulf
A. How other characters besides Beowulf demonstrate morality
III. All morals intertwined with theme of good vs. evil
A. Christianity influence
B. Idea of pride is a downfall
C. Example of it in the bible
IV. Ethics in the story
A. Getting revenge vs. mourning
B. How it differs in today’s society
V. Christianity influence
A. Christianity throughout England at the time of Beowulf
B. God is associated with good
C. Characters look to praise God when good things happen
Sydney Grimes
Prof. Evert Blomberg
English 2322
9 December 2012
Critical Paper
The battle of good vs. evil has been one of the most recognizable themes of literature throughout time. However, these two very broad themes can be broken down into smaller categories demonstrated in the epic poem Beowulf; the themes of morality and ethics play a crucial role in the story, as well as the underlying theme of Christianity.
“ Beowulf is an epic that came out of a warrior culture and was used not solely to entertain but also to teach the moral thinking of this culture” (Chickering 86). Beowulf himself embodies all of the qualities of a typical epic hero, and there are clear examples throughout the text. He is easily the best warrior in the country, which he demonstrates by killing Grendel. “Wiglaf, who becomes Beowulf 's successor, also embodies these traits. When all of the other soldiers abandon Beowulf in his fatal battle against the dragon, Wiglaf does not. He displays courage and loyalty in helping Beowulf defeat the dragon, which is why he is named the next leader. It is true that Beowulf fights
Cited: Chickering, Howell D. Beowulf: A Dual-language Edition. Garden City, NY: Anchor, 1977. Print. Gwara, Scott. Heroic Identity in the World of Beowulf. Hotei Publishing 1962. Print. Mitchell, Bruce. Beowulf: An Edition. Wiley, 1998. Print Parker, Mary A. Beowulf and Christianity. New York: Lang, 1987. Print.