Topic > Anglo-Saxon language in Beowulf - 1165

The composer uses the story of the hero Beowulf to show the mistake of ignoring the role of Fate in life. Before Beowulf attempts to lure Grendel to his doom in Heorot, he gives a glorious speech to Hrothgar's men in an act of courage. It speaks of his strength and power. His last statement, “Gǽð á wyrd swá hió scel”. ["Fate goes as it will."] (455), uses words with weak connotations (e.g. gæð, scel) in association with wyrd is normally translated as "Fate will unfold as it must!" (Raffel 455). However, this is a misinterpretation. Beowulf's use of the weak words gæð and scel diminishes the power of the wyrd. Furthermore, the finalization of his boast of power and strength that places his life in the hands not of himself, but of Fate devalues ​​the courage he demonstrated in his boast. Rather, the poet used this phrase to show how Beowulf believes that fate is a whimsical power that he can overcome. Beowulf says this in an attempt to say that Fate will do what it wants, but it will not be a factor in the outcome. This phrase sets the stage for an elegiac Beowulf and a hero who ultimately dies due to his folly in defying