Jessica Kleinsasser
English IV
Ms. Froiland
1 April 2011
According to the Highland Presbyterian Church, evil is simply defined as something that
causes destruction and suffering. In Beowulf, he encounters three different acts of evil; this is
unlike God because He encounters evil continuously due to the sins of mankind. Beowulf is a
fictional tale; whereas, Paradise Lost represents a true accounting of Jesus and Satan’s battles.
Destruction and suffering are main themes in Beowulf and Paradise Lost yet they are
demonstrated in different ways by fictional creatures in one work and Satan in another.
First, Beowulf, a great thane, sails to the land of the Danes with his best men. They are
greeted with the greatest welcoming, later planning their attack on Grendel who has created
many hardships toward Hrothgar, the king of the Danes. Hrothgar presents Beowulf with a
large feast in his honor, also promising him great treasures as his reward. Waiting for Grendel
to arrive, Beowulf spots him, hungry for flesh, eating one of his men. Grabbing Grendel’s arm,
Beowulf causes him to moan in pain but is finally defeated. Just as Grendel causes pain and was
defeated by Beowulf such as the case with Christ and Satan. Satan, on the other hand, created
many troubles for Christ, according to gotquestions.org the Bible states that God cast Satan
from heaven because Satan wanted to take God’s position. Satan and Grendel have many
characteristics alike; Grendel wanted to live by his own rules and so did Satan, this led to a
greater power needing to overpower them. The above similarities make one question what
unique differences the two characters have.
Satan has many powers including putting temptation upon others, also the effects of
Satan are still seen today, unlike Grendel because when he was defeated his evil disappeared.
Not only does God have to worry about Satan, but he also sees the effects that cause people to
act in evil ways. Perjury, extortion, persecution, theft, terrorism, prejudice, slander, hatred, war, and
murder are some actions taken on by others through Satan; this is confirmed by the Highland
Presbyterian Church. Satan and Grendel have many similarities and differences, this relates to Beowulf
and God and all of the things they possess; alike and different.
The differences between Beowulf and God is that Beowulf was overthrowing these
creatures to help the people, but also to prove himself and get the fame and glory that was
included. God, on the other hand, was protecting his people. This is shown throughout many
ways including having his only son die on the cross for the people. Just as these differences are
shown through in two different stories, there are also several similarities that relate them to
each other. The two characters of Christ in Beowulf are similar not in deeds, but in their
purposes in the epics. Beowulf, like Christ, had good morals and he in turn was helping out the
people who have been battling with Grendel for a long time.
The destruction and suffering found in the epics, Beowulf and Paradise Lost, are
comparable with some differences. Although, they are two different stories, Beowulf and
Grendel relate to Christ and Satan in many ways. Starting with Grendel and Satan, they are both
jealous of the other’s power and try to revenge against them. The difference between them is
the effect that Satan leaves on others compared to the effect that Grendel leaves. Satan has the
power to tempt others, making God have a continuous struggle with evil in the world today.
Grendel does not have a long lasting effect per se but it is an epic that was memorable enough
to product other similar tales. On the other hand, Christ and Beowulf also have many things in
common, as well as differences. Primarily, Christ and Beowulf both sacrifice their lives for the
good of the people yet Beowulf does expect materialistic fortune whereas Christ died for our
sins and one would think He would receive an ending loyalty.