Runes and magic in Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon EnglandIn the Old English poem Beowulf we see mention of runes, which were used with connotations of magic or spells. Examining evidence dating back to historical times, we find that the early English were fully familiar with the Germanic runic alphabet and that the runes had special connotations. In Beowulf the hero is in mortal combat with Grendel's mother in the swamp. He is about to be killed by the monster when suddenly God shows him the presence of a special sword nearby, on the wall. Beowulf grabs the giant weapon and kills the monster. So: that sword had begun to melt into bloody icicles in battle; that it melted was as much a wonder as the ice itself when the Father unties the bonds of frost, loosens the icy chains of water, Which preserves the power of times and seasons; He is the true God. . .Already the sword had melted, its blade was burnt; the blood of the poisonous spirit that was dead inside was too hot. . . .the wavy sword burned, extinguished in that blood. . . .then the strange golden hilt was placed in the hand of the gray-bearded king, wise war-leader, old work of giants; after the fall of the devils it passed into the hands of the lord of Danish men, from the magic forges; once the fierce spirit, long adversary of God, guilty creature, and its murderous mother had left this world, it passed to the power of the best lord between the two seas, of all the rulers of the world in Scandanavia who gave good treasures. Hrothgar spoke, examined the hilt, great ancient treasure. There was engraved the origin of past conflicts, when the flood submerged, the ocean that poured out killed the race of giants. . . On its bright gold surfaces there were also runes arranged neatly, engraved, inlaid, telling for whom the sword was first crafted, its sharp edges, the twisted golden wheels in the hilt, the serpent blade braided (1605 ff.). in his "Commentary" he would like us to believe that the melting sword is a reference to patristic theology, to St..