The epic Beowulf, is the most important work of Old English literature, and is well deserved of the distinction. The epic tells the story of a hero prince named Beowulf. Beowulf rids the Danes of the monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain, and his Grendel's mother and a Dragon. By using three important Christian parallels, Jesus verse the Devil, the twelve Disciples, and Jesus" death and resurrection, throughout the epic, the possible Christian story teller, builds a Christian depth to the story, .
Beowulf has a Christ-like behavior in his humility and charity. Beowulf understands the plight of the Danes that are being oppressed by the evil monster Grendel, just as Christ knew of the oppression of the Jewish people. Both set out on a venture to save their people. In order to save them from the monster, the Danes need a savior, and Beowulf through his desire to alleviate their suffering, comes to save them. One example of this when Hrothgar states, "Our Holy Father has sent [Beowulf] as a sign of His grace, a mark of His favor, to help us defeat Grendel and end that terror. (Line 381)" The idea throughout the poem of living right, of loyalty, and of being a good leader can all be seen as traits of Christ. Just as Beowulf exemplifies Christ, Grendel mirrors Satan. Beowulf and Grendel represent the Christian beliefs of good verses evil. Grendel is referred to as a descendant of Cain who is described in the Bible as "the image of a man fallen from grace through sin." Like Satan who is jealous of the happiness and joy that Adam and Eve have in the Garden of Eden, Grendel is jealous of the happiness and joy in Heorot. Grendel envies the fellowship and happiness he sees. He hates living in the underworld, cut off from the company of other men. He stalks the people and terrorizes them because he is jealous of their joy. This is similar to the devil when he was cast out of heaven and the joys that were there.
