University Literature Essay: Societal Change in Beowulf and Quran

This essay provides a comparative analysis of two significant literary works: the epic poem Beowulf from ancient English literature and the fourth chapter of the Holy Quran. The central theme explored is the portrayal of societal change and its impact on the constraints of society, examining how these themes are addressed in both texts. The essay delves into the conservative aspects of the Quran, particularly concerning Islamic beliefs and the role of women, contrasting this with the more evident theme of change presented in Beowulf. It discusses the impact of feminism in the Muslim society, the importance of social justice, and the evolution of social rights, including the controversial issue of wife beating. The analysis of Beowulf focuses on the heroic deeds of Beowulf, his loyalty, and the concept of change through bravery and leadership. The essay concludes by highlighting the similarities and differences between the two works, emphasizing the need for progressive attitudes and adaptability to societal transformations, offering insights for students and scholars alike. The essay draws upon several scholarly sources to support its arguments.

Running head: INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
Introduction to Literature
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
Introduction
The following paper will discuss about the comparison between the two pieces of
literature from the ancient times on several aspects. The chosen pieces of literature are the fourth
chapter of the Holy Quran and the fifth chapter of the epic Beowulf of the ancient English
literature. The topic theme that would be discussed in this paper is that of threat of change in the
constraints of the society. Both of these pieces of literature are considered for the growth of
different phenomenon within the growth of literature. The time of writing these pieces of
literature are quite different (Ahmad: 35). The topic theme of the societal change has been
regarded as one of the most intriguing factors within the context of the societal change. The
religious issues have been predominant within this context and traditional beliefs of the
generations are quite important in this regard.
In which of texts the theme of change has been more evident? Is it Beowulf or Holy
Quran? It can be claimed that there are some conservative thoughts in the Holy Quran and
Islamic beliefs about household but the theme of change has been portrayed in Beowulf
appropriately.
Holy Quran change theme
One of the holiest religious books is the Quran i.e. followed by the followers of Islam or
the Muslim people. The Muslim people believe that it is their duty to abide by all the things
described in the Holy Quran, all the scriptures and all the verses (Ruhland: 48). The Muslim
people have been known to be one of the most conservative people in the world. The chapter 4 of
the Holy Quran is also a very important text for the Muslims that contain around 176 verses. All
these verses had been derailed in Medina. In the earlier section of the book the topic of

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discussion is the shifting of the Muslim people to Medina (Ahmad: 35). Prophet Muhammad is
believed as their leaders and he led thousands of Muslims to the Medina where they had
established themselves as a community. In some parts of the Quran, the aspects of the Quran as a
means for the societal transformation and with new innovative social changes have been
discussed. These changes in the society and social innovations would present the Holy Quran in
different ways before their followers. *In this affair one must mention that the theological roots
of Christianity and Islam are almost similar (Barlas: 417).
As mentioned above, the Muslim people follow all their rituals very much blindly and
they are much conservative in nature as well. The principal aspect that has been noticed in this
paper is that of feminism. The impact of feminism has been greater in the Muslim society over
the years. In some parts of the chapter the condition of the women in the society has been
depicted in the Holy Quran. There are some socio-economic concepts about the Islam
community (Barlas: 417). The significance of the social justice has been discussed here with the
condition of the women. The social justice will have to be practiced among the women in
different areas. Muhammad is the holy messenger of the Allah and he will have to spread His
messages throughout the people of the Islamic community. The social rights of the men, women
and children have been discussed in this section of the Quran (Ruhland: 48). The messages of the
Allah are always in favor of empowering the women in the society.
However, the factor of the wife beating has been discussed in this section of the book. In
the fourth chapter the factor of the wife beating has been discussed properly. This aspect of the
wife beating has impacted negatively on the marital relationship between the husband and wife.
Some feminist views have also been presented in the book and its fourth chapter. The Muslim
society has been believed to be much patriarchal in nature (Barlas: 417). The change is much

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needed within the society and progressive approach should be shown in this regard as well. Some
scholars have opined that the social evil of the wife beating has been continuing in the society in
the current times as well (Saeidi er al.: 103). The social rights of the human beings have gone
through a challenging approach in this scenario. The experts have opined that the Muslim
women have been deprived of thee several social facilities and they have to bear the evil of
oppressive mentality of the males. Some strict punishments are needed in this scenario since the
oppression on the women should not continue for long and they should be treated with respect as
part of the progressive change (Goldsmith: 456).
Aspect of change in chapter 5 of Beowulf
Beowulf is regarded as one of the most admired epics of the English literature. In the
chapter 5 of the Beowulf the topic of the discussion is about the monster Grendel and his mother.
The various epic deeds of the hero Beowulf has been depicted in this chapter. The identities of
the brave people has been established and discussed numerous times. The aspect of the
generosity has been depicted in this epic along with the importance of bringing in the social
change have been highlighted in the chapter 5 as well (Goldsmith: 456). One of the most aspiring
facts for Beowulf in this chapter is that of his loyalty towards the king Hrothgar. Beowulf has
been made famous because he has always been loyal to all the seniors around him. He has
always shown his loyalty and his bravery to show his worth of how he can deal with the several
problems. He went on to fight bravely with the monster Grendel and his mother. At the end of
the fight he had killed both. This is considered as his success. The loyalty with which he has
fought has become to be a inspiration for all the human beings (Parks: 47).

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The chapter 5 of Beowulf has portrayed the dragon that had the power of seeing and
knowing all around the world. In the opinion of the dragon, all the human beings do not have the
power to view and know all the things. Rather he said that the human beings had a partly view of
all the things and they tried to link all of them to get a better view. This situation can also be
considered in the way that the several change initiatives have been taken to rejuvenate the
situation (Goldsmith: 456). If the socio-economic conditions of the time can be compared, it can
be said that the Muslim societies had not been able to take the initiatives of the social changes in
a positive manner. It must be realized that the initiatives of these changes are crucial and these
changes should be made effectively as well. The traditional issues should be overcome in this
scenario and the societal transformations must be made as mandatory. Only then the society will
be able to adapt to the new modes (Grech: 399). Thus the context of Beowulf and the society of
Quran can be compared in several ways. The progressive attitudes should be adopted if the
individuals want to improve the condition of the society. These changes would be mostly
important so that the necessary developments can be done (Parks: 47).
The dragon in the fifth chapter of Beowulf has given the example of Grendel and opined
if the capacities of the human beings could be replaced the human beings would surely cease to
exist. The courage to break the bondage of the society has been regarded as a progressive attitude
to bring in the positive changes. The conflicts that have arisen in this context should be reviewed
as a victory for Beowulf and his bravery (Grech: 399). The leadership qualities of Beowulf have
been depicted and Beowulf has come up with all the success by showing his plea to change the
things indeed. The old values of the Quran in several parts can be held as contrary to the values.
The aspects of the wife beating have been depicted as the main factor for describing the old

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values indeed. The changes within the society can only be taken when a person like Beowulf can
be aggressive and get determined to initiate the positive changes.
Conclusion
In the concluding section it can be said that the different aspects of the Holy Quran and
the epic poem Beowulf has been described. These two literary works have been compared from
different concepts as well. The progressive social changes have been discussed as the topic of the
paper. The two literary works represent the two different communities and religions. There are
some similarities and differences between the two literary works indeed. The most important fact
that can be taken as integral is to view the society from newer ways. In the Beowulf, the readers
have found that hero of the poem Beowulf has addressed the situations very challengingly and he
has come up with several solutions in this matter. There might be some social changes but it is
the responsibility of the people within the society to come up with new ideas and adapt to the
several changes indeed.

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References and Bibliography
Ahmad, Ambar. "Islamic feminism–A contradiction in terms." Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung, India
paper (2015).
Baker, Peter S. Honour, exchange and violence in Beowulf. Vol. 20. DS Brewer, 2013.
Barlas, Asma. "Uncrossed bridges: Islam, feminism and secular democracy." Philosophy &
Social Criticism 39.4-5 (2013): 417-425.
Goldsmith, Margaret E. The Mode and Meaning of'Beowulf'. A&C Black, 2014.
Grech, Michael. "Feminism in Islam?." Implicit Religion 17.3 (2014): 349-359.
Moorman, Charles. Kings and Captains: Variations on a Heroic Theme. University Press of
Kentucky, 2015.
Parks, Wards. Verbal dueling in heroic narrative: the Homeric and Old English traditions. Vol.
1063. Princeton University Press, 2014.
Ruhland, Emilee Catherine. "“Your Legacy Is Yours to Build”: Defining Leadership in Beowulf
and Its Adaptations." (2017).
Saeidi, Masumeh, et al. "Rights of Children and Parents in Holy Quran." International Journal of
Pediatrics 2.3.2 (2014): 103-113.
Tønnessen, Liv. "Islamic Feminism, a public lecture." CMI Sudan Working Paper (2014).