The Significance of Water in Beowulf

     Water has symbolized many different emotions, sources of hope, and even gods throughout different societies. In the poem "Beowulf," water is a focal point for many of the most important battles. I believe that water, and more specifically the sea, represents something untamed, something to be conquered, an obstacle to be faced...
     During the time period "Beowulf" takes place, the ocean was a frightening and unknown place. They did not know where it truly began or ended, and there is always an aspect of fear in the unknown. Therefore, when the heroic Beowulf conquers this obstacle time and time again, people revere him more and more.
     An important part of the poem to take into consideration is the instance where Unferth challenges Beowulf's validity of a noble. He does this by mentioning how Beowulf lost a long distance swim race against Breca, Beowulf's childhood friend. The focal point of this is story is the sea and all the unknown "monsters" that lie within it. If Beowulf could not conquer these creatures in a swim across the sea, how could he defeat the dreaded Grendel? But Beowulf proved Unferth wrong and even defeated Grendel's mother in an underwater battle. This proved not only to Unferth, but to every person throughout those lands that Beowulf could conquer the unconquerable.

"Beowulf's prodigious/ gifts as a swimmer guaranteed his safety..." (Lines 2359-2360)