'Doom of the Lord was law o'er the deeds of every man, as it is to-day'?
Beowulf, the oldest known English text, was certainly of deep contrast to the American Post-Modernism which of recent has come to dominate by reading of late. Written between the 8th and 11th centuries, originating originally in the spoken form, it has often been called the 'foundational epic' of British culture and thus, giving its ancient status, the question that I wished to answer in reading the poem is whether the Anglo-Saxon tale still has resonances in today's society (as epitomized by the opening quote which can be read in the wider scheme of tings as to whether Beowulf itself it still relevant today).
Beowulf is a poem with heavily Christian inferences and allusions, indeed the main theme definitely has to be that of supporting the argument for pre-determination, there being a real sense of the 'destined path' for the characters. Phrases such as 'the Lord has sent him', 'stone-bright the street: it showed the way' (the street symbolizing the metaphysical path which is already laid out for us in life) and 'forced of fate' (the dense fricative alliteration evoking the sense of a force pushing one along through the sound created) are abundant throughout the text. Equally there is a lot of biblical symbolism found in Beowulf, most notably that of Heorot the 'bright and golden palace' of Hrothgar that is polluted and made a threatening lair for the evil monster Grendel. This concept somewhat alludes to the garden of Eden, that pure and grand place, being ruined by the serpent, the devil. Equally it is no coincidence that on Beowulf's last expedition, a clan of twelve accompany him (indicating a nod to the twelve disciples). Due to this there is a real sense of Beowulf acting almost as a parable of sorts, the protagonist's pious life being one which we should all aim to replicate and this could be seen by some, in an increasingly secular society, as undermining the work's relevance considerably.
Beowulf also depicts a rather foreign and distant way of life, not merely thanks to the supernatural contact. The society portrayed is one based upon honor and war, one section indeed praising a ship for being decorated with 'weapons of war and weeds of battle, with breastplate and blade', the w and plosive alliteration in the section adding to the exaggerated sense of greatness. Furthermore one of the other main themes of the work is questioning the then serious issue of battles arising in order to avenge a death, and this could seem rather irrelevant for today's society. However the fact that this question is explored on essentially human terms, Beowulf saying that 'it beseems us better friends to avenge than fruitlessly mourn them' (indicating that physical acting on an individual's death through war is beneficial through the sense of closure that it affords) means that it is transcendent. Conversely, much of Beowulf's political power and influence arises from his mighty deeds and battle wins, this perhaps further adding to the cause of insignificance. However, the essential moral that physical accomplishments are not enough, as exemplified by the line 'thou art strong of main and in mind art wary', reflects the need for being well-rounded in terms of the mind and good deeds also. Furthermore, the fact that ultimately Beowulf is most praised as a leader for '[caring] for [his] own; [not seeking] feuds, nor falsely [swearing] ever on oath' outlines the concept of our good deeds towards others as superseding other sorts of accomplishments in importance.
Thus essentially Beowulf remains relevant even in today's society primarily through the timeless moral teachings that it presents, whether it be the sense of karma (as seen in 'their wage was paid them!'), the sense of hope in that evil can be overcome (as seen in 'the worm (dragon) was consumed'), the importance of family (as showcased in 'kinship true can never be marred in a noble mind!') or the insignificance of wealth in the wider scheme of things (as illuminated by the imagery of 'dear-decked swords eaten with rust'). These sorts of morals remain valid today, regardless of whether they are approached through a religious lens or not and there lies Beowulf's power. Equally Beowulf remains just as an exciting read as it was at the many years ago at its conception through the dragons, monsters and heroic battles that fill its pages, that will for sure enchant many even today.
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