Beowulf Quotes Analysis

English Vocabulary 1. “Sometimes at pagan shrines they vowed offerings to idols, swore oaths that the killer of souls might come to their aid and save the people.” (Beowulf, pg. 13, lines 176-179)

a) The main point of this quote is that the Danes, or people of Hrothgar’s kingdom, started asking for help from false idols, breaking the first two commandments of God, and that they are also asking the Devil, Satan, to rid them of his own creation, Grendel. They are retreating to their paganism, their original religion, and they are worshiping the opposite of God (good), Satan (evil). b) This quote connects to one theme in Beowulf: Good conquers evil. The Danes should not resort to their paganism because God will help them at his own pace and even if they die, they will be forever unified with Him in Heaven.
The guard of Hrothgar says this to Beowulf and his troops, and he is saying that a great leader must speak as well as deliver. A great leader and warrior has the ability to speak and to act accordingly. This quote reveals to us that someone who can deliver what they say has wit, fortitude, spirit. b) This quote connects to one theme in Beowulf: Actions speak louder than words. Setting an example and being a leader does not only mean being able to give a good speech. One must be able to perform what they say without hesitation to be regarded as a mighty warrior and true leader. If you are considered to be a mighty warrior with wit, fortitude and spirit, you must be able to do what you say you can do. c) An interesting idea or words in this quote is that the author uses a guard to challenge Beowulf’s identity to prove to us that he is truly a hero and that he does what he says to others. This also reveals to us that Beowulf is a great leader and that he is not afraid to take on any evil, like Grendel, that stands in his