Supernatural Power In Beowulf

Beowulf was the first great work of the English national literature. It is one of the greatest epics known to mankind. An epic is a long, narrative poem relating to the great deeds of larger than life hero who undertakes a quest to achieve something of value for himself /herself or society. The epic tells the story of Beowulf, a Geat from Sweden who crosses the sea to Denmark in a quest to rescue people in the Land of the Danes from Grendel. Beowulf was written based in the 8th century, but most historians believe this piece of oral art dates back to the 6th century. The author of the oral art is unknown, but it is assumed that the poet of the version that has been handed down, with changes and embellishments from one minstrel to another,
In every epic such as Beowulf, opponents are necessary. Some opponents are contenders for the hero and many are not. Grendel had a great amount of power just as evil because on the night of his first attack he snatched up thirty men and killed them all. In every epic both the hero and the opponent have supernatural powers. In Beowulf, Grendel's mother has ultimate strength during the battle between Beowulf and herself. "…[S] he carried him, armor/And sword and all…" (582-583). Near the end of the excerpt, Beowulf had a great, suspenseful, sacrificing battle with a fire-breathing dragon. "…[H] is breath will be burning/Hot poison will pour from his tongue" (671-672) and "…not run from his shooting/Flames…" (675-676) prove how extraordinary and dangerous the dragon was to Beowulf. Supernatural beings being present within an epic show the contrast between the hero and the evildoers. Universal themes are the most obvious and important characteristics of an epic. One universal theme in Beowulf is "No being is more powerful than the Almighty"; one example is "he never/Dared to touch king Hrothgars's glorious/Throne protected by God" (82-84). Beowulf defeating Grendel shows the audience that good always overcomes evil, which is another universal theme used Beowulf. Protector of the Danes ripping off Grendel's arms and hanging them from the ceiling clearly shows "…Beowulf/A Prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel" (510-511). Another great universal theme is victory sometimes means sacrifice. "The old man's mouth was silent, spoke/No more, had said as much as it could/He would sleep in the fire soon, His soul/Left his flesh, flew to glory" (825-828) shows Beowulf died in the end of the excerpt but he died worthy because he accomplished the mission that he was initially striving to