Fate Vs. Freewill
People can belief in two things fate or free will, Most people in Beowulf's time believed in fate as shown that beowulf says "stand till fate decides"( page 42 line 676). Also Beowulf believes in fate as shown what happens in the battle of the dragon "for the first time that famous prince fought with fate against him, his glory denied him" Page 43 lines 723-725. Most people today especially the people that do not believe in a higher power believe in free will, where they can choose their destiny, vs fate which says that your destiny is predetermined. I believe in fate because you belong to God and God decides what to do with you. When people say well he was supposed to die there and he didn't so he had the free will to choose if he would live or die or if someone says they will bec0me a doctor but then become an engineer. I would says no you didn't choose to do that you just thought your destiny was to become a doctor, it was predetermined, you just don't know till the very end.