This article argues that Beowulf’s anger is not only a form of furor
heroicus but also a manifestation of the wrath of God. Through comparison with
Genesis A and other Old English biblical poems, as well as biblical and apocryphal
sources, the article identifies the Fall of the Angels as an important context for
Beowulf’s first two monster-fights. Countering arguments that Beowulf is a flawed or
even failed hero, I propose that when read in the light of Old English biblical poetry,
Beowulf emerges not as a doomed pagan or frenzied berserker but as a righteous
avenger whose anger is controlled and directed against evil.
