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The epic poem of Beowulf has many themes throughout it. . There are instances where the themes of dark versus light, self-identity, and tensions between value systems and doing what is right and what is wrong.   However, most people would agree that the major and most running theme would be the many encounters of good versus evil in the poem.   Good versus evil is most notably seen in the battles that Beowulf has with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the evil dragon. This poem shows the struggles of the heroic achievements of Beowulf and his quest for all goodness in his world.
  The goodness in Beowulf is represented by the characters of Beowulf, himself, King Hrothgar and Wiglaf. Beowulf portrays many good qualities and he seems to be the ultimate example of a hero. His acts of goodness are shown through his efforts to rid King Hrothgar’s hall, Heorot, of Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and finally the evil dragon. King Hrothgar’s goodness is portrayed by his love of his people and the way that he welcomed Beowulf to his kingdom. Wiglaf was a great warrior and he is seen as good because of his decision to risk his own life for Beowulf. When all of Beowulf’s chosen band of Geats abandoned him in the final battle with the dragon, Wiglaf chose to stay and help his king.
  In contrast the evilness in Beowulf is represented by the characters of Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Grendel is a man-eating monster that has haunted the halls of Heorot for twelve years. Beowulf hears about King Hrothgar’s troubles with Grendel and offers to help him defeat Grendel and make the halls of Heorot safe and happy again. Beowulf fights Grendel unarmed since the monster was also unarmed. Beowulf saw that using a weapon in the fight would be an unfair advantage in the fight. During the fight Beowulf proves himself stronger than the terrified demon. As Grendel struggles to escape, Beowulf tears his arm off. Grendel becomes mortally wounded and slanks back into his swamp and dies....