An epic story is one that combines elements of supernatural powers and heroic deeds with plebeian troubles. In Beowulf , the unknown author paints a typical yet magnificent tale that is one of the great epic chronicles of the Middle Ages. Like the poems of Homer, Beowulf possesses terrible monsters, men with supernatural powers, the search for glory, and deadly defeats. However, this medieval account brings a new element into the folds: the association between established religious forces and personal choices. The concepts of predestination and fate intertwine in this work with the idea of free will.

Throughout the poem, characters struggle to understand who and/or what is the guiding force for actions and events. Although this answer remains a mystery, many proverbs and traditions hint at the proper way to live and act. The advice, "Let whoever can/ win glory before death" (lines 1387-8), exalts the idea that champions are the most likely to live a bountiful life and are the ones who uphold the highest ideals in society. Bravery and wise choices create circumstances that cannot determine a future, but can help to lead a man to his predetermined best end. A specific incident in Beowulf exemplifies this connection among free will, glory, and predestination. Beowulf's fight with the dragon and dying words demonstrate the overarching idea that although fate, destiny, and God work to direct a man toward his death, free will and the glory acquired because of it determine how a man is remembered and honored during his life.

In a society like Beowulf's, ruled by kings and noblemen, destiny is the most common indication of greatness; accordingly, destiny itself is measured most often by examining the heritage of a young man or soldier. It is obvious in King Hrothgar's court that sons of magnificent warriors are destined to participate in great acts of heroic proportions. Noticeably present, in fact, are references to each important character's ancestors and lineage. With each mention of a character, the father is also interjected (Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow or Wiglaf, son of Weohstan). Destiny initially comes into play when Beowulf arrives at the shores of Denmark and is unknown to the guards. King Hrothgar proclaims, "I used to know [Beowulf] when he was a young boy. / His father before him was called Ecgtheow" (lines 372-3). Clearly, family ties are necessary to succeed in the world of kings. Beowulf is immediately given leave to enter the country and to "follow up an old friendship" (line 376) because the King is certain that the young man is destined to be a great warrior in Denmark. Certainly, past conquests and victories play a part in Beowulf's renown, but ancestry is initially more impressive. Beowulf's destiny is, therefore, partly determined by his father's feats and legacy. The opportunities given to the now famous warrior are a result of the powerful family that he comes from. Thus, destiny plays a prophetic part in shaping Beowulf's future.

While destiny and fate are related, in Beowulf the two ideas play different roles. Destiny is the concept that allows sons to be marked for greatness before they have come of age, while fate is an independent guiding force that does not rely upon worldly interactions (knowledge of lineage, friendships, etc.) to work properly. Beowulf himself, great warrior king of the Geats, calls fate the "overseer of men" (line 2527). Thus, it is evident that fate is a primary guiding force of the poem. Admitting that he does not know the outcome of the future fight with Grendel, earlier Beowulf states simply that "Fate goes ever as fate must" (line 455) and that fighting with full strength, sans weapons, is all he can do to guide the outcome. Beowulf is not the only character who professes an interest in fate, however. The two songs that the minstrel performs strangely possess elements of fate. Although the specific word is not mentioned, the songs are intended to either compare or contrast Beowulf and his actions with those of another great man. Thus, the outcome of the adventure in the song serves as a type of fateful explanation of how the great warrior is to fare in the future. As a literary device, the songs foreshadow Beowulf's predestined fate in life and battle. The entire work is cleverly woven with references to fate and destiny as worldly forces.

The dying words and wishes of Beowulf demonstrate and explain, to a great extent, the views of fate and destiny in the poem. Without the declarations by Beowulf at this juncture, much of the poet's thoughts on the matters would be left unheard and unknown. Similarly, many incidents of previous import in the poem become clearer in light of this new knowledge. It is clear that Beowulf believes he is destined and fated to die at this time, to leave the terrestrial world and join the realm of the eternal: "Fate swept us away,/ sent my whole brave high-born clan/ to their final doom./ Now I must follow them" (lines 2814-6). It is essential to the poem to hear the great warrior speak of his death as his destiny; the reader understands that the risk of mortal wounds is not paramount because fate will incur the death-blow when the time is right. Predestined death takes the responsibility to live out of one's own hands.

Although fate and destiny are substantive components of the poem, established religion is also blatantly included in the work. Interjections appealing to God and the holy powers appear sporadically throughout the poem, dotting the otherwise pagan lines with overt references to Christianity. King Hrothgar and Beowulf both make references to the Lord's powers, but these statements reflect the idea throughout the story that God or an almighty doesn't have as much power in shaping worldly events as fate or destiny do. Instead, God makes the ultimate judgment on a person's life after death: "The Almighty Judge/ of good deeds and bad, the Lord God,/ Head of the Heavens and High King of the World" (lines 180-2). Beowulf similarly condemns the deceased Grendel by saying that "Like a man outlawed/ for wickedness, he must await/ the mighty judgement of God in majesty" (976-8). Clearly, the thought of an all-powerful supreme Lord governs how one acts in life because he is worried about the eternal judgment after his death. The supplications to God, then, are made in order to secure a favorable judgment in the after-life.

Again, Beowulf's death scene presents evidence of the overarching concept in the poem that God has power over a man at death. At the beginning of Beowulf's last speech, he proclaims, "To the everlasting Lord of All,/ to the King of Glory, I give thanks/ that I behold this treasure here in front of me" (lines 2794-6), indicating that he believes that a supreme being has control over some events in life and offering support to the idea that God must be thanked for His help and presence. These final words parallel Beowulf's regular praises and references to the Lord (that he makes on several occasions after a battle or during a banquet), indicating that the power of the Supreme is always recognized by the hero. Because Beowulf is dying, he must not omit a reference to God, the power who will shortly pass judgment on the warrior. A man chooses his dying words carefully, so it must be concluded that the tribute to God is of the utmost importance to Beowulf.

Because God, fate, and destiny all take primary roles in Beowulf's life and guide his future, his beliefs explain the uninhibited valor that he exhibits throughout the poem: if death is predestined and inevitable, then it is not something to worry about. Thus, the cultural ideals of glory and championship are able to survive in Beowulf's world. In fact, performing well in a battle is admirable and even exalted. The poem declares, "Behaviour that's admired/ is the path to power among people everywhere" (lines 24-5), explaining that glory is equivalent to power. In contrast to the view of fated actions, many of the decisions that Beowulf makes during his quests for glory and power are made independently, using free will, not fate or God.

When the young warrior resolves to travel abroad to Heorot Hall, he is doing so out of sheer desire to prove his strength and to save a country that is friendly with his own. Free will dictates his decision to fight Grendel and to venture further into the depths of an unknown lake to fight with the monster's mother. Beowulf is his own guide when choosing whom to take with him on the journey to the lake and is equally independent when he takes up the throne and rules the Geats. The decision to fight Grendel without weapons is one based not upon prophesy or destiny, but rather on the desire to prove valor and sportsmanship and to gain honor ("the monster scorns/ in his reckless way to use weapons;/ therefore, to heighten Hygelac's fame/ and gladden his heart, I hereby renounce/ sword and the shelter of the broad shield..." (lines 433-7)). Similarly, Queen Wealhtheow exercises free will when she attempts to influence the futures of her sons by lecturing Beowulf on his place in the world. Although fate may have a specific future in mind for the boys, the Queen is strong and resolves to take their futures into her own control by providing for their care: "Treat my sons/ with tender care, be strong and kind" (lines 1226-7). The concept of a person's actions and declarations independently influencing and affecting an event is obviously one that is not unusual to the characters in this poem.

In Beowulf's last battle and death scene, free will and the search for glory are apparent themes. Because Beowulf chooses independently, without seeking omens or advice, the men who accompany him to the dragon's lair, the reader sees that free will and free choices are part of Beowulf's routine, even at the last. Similarly, the warrior king chooses to pass his weapons and mail shirt on to Wiglaf instead of a nobleman perhaps closer in kinship. Beowulf's sons would have been destined to inherit the armor, but because no heirs ever live, Wiglaf is the King's freely willed choice for inheritor. It is also clear that glory and wealth are important to the King as he lies on his deathbed. Wanting to "examine/ that ancient gold, gaze [his] fill/ on those garnered jewels..." because "[his] going will be easier/ for having seen the treasure..." (lines 2747-50) indicates that knowledge of riches and conquest are comforting to the King. Accordingly, he is grateful that he leaves his people with such opulent treasures (lines 2797-8). Because the King is revered and feared in life by other kings and nations due to his power, he desires to be equally so in death, thus delighting in the knowledge that his barrow will be a terror to all who pass it on the cliff by the sea (lines 2802-8). Clearly, Beowulf's last words reflect the sentiments of the whole poem about glory and power, free will and action.

Beowulf's last battle against the dragon and the warrior's final words comprise a key incident in the poem. These scenes provide insight into the beliefs and motivations of the greatest warrior in the land and, therefore, set the foundation for understanding the values of the society from which the poem comes. The ideas of fate, destiny, and predestination as determined by God are prevalent in the noble community. Beowulf certainly demonstrates a strong belief in these concepts throughout the poem and most especially during his last hours. Although these forces command many of the battles and events of the poem, free will leads to a share of glorious victories as well. By examining the dragon duel and King Beowulf's dying words, the reader begins to form a clear picture of the warrior's motivations for previous decisions in the poem. Awareness of the lack of fear of death is an important ingredient to understanding the sometimes rash actions of the protagonist. The apparent non-conflict that Beowulf demonstrates in this final scene between free will and fate allows previous choices to have merit and credibility. In the final lines of Beowulf's life, the reader sees the transition between the living and eternal worlds occur in the hero. Because he clearly gains honor and admiration in life due to his choices and will go on to claim his fated seat among the kings in the heavens, Beowulf is the example of this epic poem's declaration to attain glory in both life and death.

Work Cited
Heaney, Seamus, trans. Beowulf . New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2000.