BEOWULF AS EPIC “Not for aught would the refuge of earls leave alive the deadly guest”. Since the dawn of time the eternal conflict between good and evil has formed the basis literature. This can be particularly seen in the ancient Anglo-Saxon epic “Beowulf” in which the Geat warrior, Beowulf, battles and defeats the monsters Grendel and his mother, symbolic of good prevailing over evil. “Beowulf” easily fits the definition of an epic through its …showed first 75 words of 1143 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1143 total…Hence, the battle is drawn from archetypal terms as good triumphs over evil and thus, light predominates over darkness and blood. In conclusion, Beowulf “the wise and strong of soul”, purges Heorot and “[saves] it from malice”, portraying the pattern of good prevailing evil which has held true since time immemorial. The existence of evil is ubiquitous, and despite of its dominance in society it seems intrinsic to human nature to see goodness ever triumphant.