Instances of fate are scattered throughout Beowulf. Whether Beowulf is considered a Christian poem or a pagan piece or whether it is disregarded as a religious piece entirely, it is impossible to deny that certain instances exist within the poem that are just too convenient not to be acts of destiny or controlled by something more. As an epic hero, Beowulf is supposed to have superhuman strength with the ability to achieve something that no one else has been able to reach. Further, Beowulf seems destined to be a leader of men, and his life is meant to be a testament to both strength and leadership. In the poem, Beowulf may have been on the verge of failure, and he may not have had the means to ever become a true leader in his own right, but twists of fate intervene along the way to see that he fulfills his true destiny of superhuman feats and leadership.
At the beginning of the poem before the author formally introduces Beowulf, Grendel wreaks havoc on Hrothgar’s kingdom. The only man capable of defeating Grendel is Beowulf, a man who owes a debt of gratitude to Hrothgar who once helped Beowulf’s father. Beowulf hears of Hrothgar’s plight from across the ocean and decides it is time to “follow up an old friendship” and pay his father’s debt (376). The fate here seems to be two-fold at the very least. Not only does Beowulf possess the strength required to defeat the mighty Grendel, he also owes it to Hrothgar to fight Grendel. According to the poem, “There was a feud one time, begun by [Beowulf’s] father. / Finally [Hrothgar] healed the feud by paying / and Ecgtheow acknowledged [Hrothgar] with oaths of allegiance” (459, 470, 471). As great as the sense of fate is in this situation, however, it is only a taste of the fate that lies ahead in Beowulf’s life.
Not long after Beowulf defeats Grendel, he has to fight the monster’s mother. Though still young and strong, Beowulf struggles in this battle in a manner in which he had not struggled in his previous battle. Fortunately for Beowulf, “he saw a blade that boded well” upon the wall, one worthy of a warrior like himself as well as one “so huge and heavy” that only [he] could wield it in a battle” (1557, 1561, 1562). Again, this is an instance of fate. He finds a weapon fit for his needs at the exact moment that he is vulnerable enough to need the assistance of a weapon. Additionally, using the weapon does not lessen his heroic nature in the eyes of his men or take away from his superhuman ability to achieve something no one else has been able to achieve.
As the story progresses, King Hygelac dies, and the people wish for Beowulf to become the new king of the Geats instead of Hygelac’s own sons. However, Beowulf refuses “to be elevated over Heardred” (2375). Not long after, each of Hygelac’s sons dies in battle, allowing Beowulf to take the throne and “rule over the Geats” (2390). Beowulf does not have birthright on his side; however, as on previous occasions, fateful turns of events grant him the ability to become what he seems destined to become.
Near the end of the story, fate allows a much older Beowulf to die a hero. After one of his countrymen disrupts a sleeping dragon by stealing his treasure, Beowulf decides it is his duty to protect his country from the dragon’s wrath. Though he knows this could be his final battle, he decides to pursue the fight with the dragon “for the glory of winning” (2514). Thus, he fights in order to gain the gold for his kingdom. Realizing that the dragon is about to defeat Beowulf, Wiglaf joins him in the fight against the dragon. He tells Beowulf in the midst of this final battle, “do everything / you said you would when you were still young / and vowed you would never let your name and fame be dimmed while you lived” (2663-2667). He also tells Beowulf to stay resolute, as his deeds are famous. This testament to his life gives Beowulf a newfound strength to continue the battle against the dragon. Along with the help of Wiglaf, Beowulf slays the dragon and wins the gold, but he also receives a fatal bite to his flesh, bringing an end to his long life. Had the dragon not been disrupted, disturbing the peace in Geatland, there may not have been another opportunity for Beowulf to wear his war-gear again, and he may not have been able to achieve everything he wished to achieve for his kingdom as well as himself. The fight with the dragon and the words Wiglaf utters in the final moments of Beowulf’s life seal his fate as an epic hero and prove that each of the previous events have been an important part of his overall destiny.
In conclusion, instances of fate are scattered throughout Beowulf. Something seems to be in control of Beowulf’s life, and it drives him to achieve things that no one else has ever been able to achieve. Though he is a mere mortal, he defeats monsters even when it seemed like he was doomed to failure. Further, he rises to the level of King of the Geats even though he is not directly in line by birth to do so. Whether Beowulf is meant to be a Christian piece or a pagan one or not a religious piece at all, Beowulf becomes the true epic hero that he was always destined to be.
