Grendal was an evil creature that killed many people in the Herot when darkness fell. Everyone was scared of him and no one was able to kill him, until Beowulf came. He knew of the dangers of Grendal and he knew of the people killed by this evil creature. He was ready to put his life at great risk by fighting this creature so no more people will be killed and that the people would not be scared of him anymore. “…Now he discovered once the afflicter of men, tormentor of their days what it meant to feud with God: Grendal saw that his strength was deserting him.” (Lines 383-386) This quote shows that there were Christian traditions in play in this epic. The quote says that Beowulf feuded with God and destroyed Grendal. This was not the only battle in which Beowulf or anyone else risked their life to save someone else.
Beowulf risked his life while fighting Grendal’s mother. “Remember, Hrothgar, Oh knowing king, now when my danger is near, the warm words we uttered, and if your enemy should end my life then be, oh generous prince, forever the father and protector of all whom I leave behind me, here in your hands, my beloved comrades left with no leader, their leader dead.” (Lines 450- 457) Beowulf says this before he goes in and tries to fight Grendal’s mother. The quote shows that he knows that there is a chance that he might not come back. He still remains loyal to his people and goes to fight this enemy. He came back and all the people praised him on his victory.
Beowulf’s final fight was against the dragon. Beowulf said, “I’d use no sword, no weapon, if this beast could be killed without it, crushed to death like Grendal, gripped in my hands and torn limb from limb. But his breath will be burning hot, poison will pour from his tongue. I feel no shame, with shield and sword and armor, against this monster…” (Lines 630 – 635) right before his battle with the dragon. This quote shows that he knew of the great power that he had but he still did put his life in grave danger and he remains loyal to his people so he goes to fight this evil monster that is able to kill him. During this fight Beowulf is starting to lose and he starts fighting for his life. “And we must go to him, while angry flames burn at his flesh, help our glorious king! By Almighty God, I’d rather burn myself than see flames swirling around my lord. And who are we to carry home our shields before we’ve slain this enemy of ours, to run back to our homes with Beowulf so hard-pressed here? I swear that nothing he ever did deserved an end like this.” (lines 760 – 770) This was said by one of Beowulf’s warriors when he sees that Beowulf is dying while in battle. This warrior was very loyal to his leader, unlike the other warriors which were scared, and he goes into the battle, risks his life to save Beowulf, slays the dragon with the help of Beowulf, and then goes and gets the riches. When the warrior comes back to celebrate with Beowulf, but when he comes back out he finds that Beowulf has died.
Throughout this epic people put their lives at risk in the act of loyalty their people and their leader. Beowulf risks his life for his people a number of times. One of the warriors risks his life for Beowulf, his leader, in the act of loyalty. This all shows the blending of Christian traditions in the epic, Beowulf.
