Beowulf: Christian Influences

142 Words1 Page

The plot of the story has many references to pagan beliefs and customs. There are many examples of Pagan beliefs Beowulf, it points towards a Christian influence. Grendel was a representation of the pagan beliefs along with its world of evil. Beowulf was a representation of god and good, which the fight of Beowulf and Grendel was the fight between good and evil. There was a demon monster named Grendel, and his roots we attributed to Cain, out of the Old Testament bible. Cain murdered his brother and raised up a line of wicked off springs. Grendel character was wicked and evil that Beowulf defeated prior to killing his mother. Beowulf's victory is embedded into Christian medieval imagery. His motivation and success were associated with

Show More
Related

  • A Comparison of Christian Influence on Beowulf and The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki

    2795 Words  | 6 Pages

    In Beowulf the Christian influence is revealed through approximately 70 passages in which the form of expression or the thought suggests Christian usage or doctrine (Blackburn 3); The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki is in its own way infused with Christian values even though it preserves remnants of the cult of Odin.

    Read More

  • Epic of Beowulf

    1466 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is common opinion that Beowulf was written by a Christian poet. This was probably true because at the time when it was written, most of the few people who knew how to read and write were in the clergy. There are various references within the poem to elements of the Christian religion. However, the story is about Pagan people and certain aspects of their culture are even glorified. The ambiguity of Beowulf’s religious content has caused confusion as to what significance religion had in inspiring the author and in what manner the author meant to inspire or influence his audience. I do not think that Beowulf is a Christian allegory because Beowulf had very little in common with the Biblical figure of Jesus Christ. I think that religion was not the primary thematic concern of the writer. Although there are discrepancies between the two styles of thinking, Beowulf seems to praise values which were considered moral and good among all humanity, both Christian and Pagan.

    Read More

  • Epic of Beowulf Essay - Lindisfarne and Christian Influences in Beowulf

    2424 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Beowulf manuscript, written around the year 1000 and containing approximately 70 Christian references/allusions, could owe part of its Christianization to the Catholic bishops, priests, monks and laity who made The Lindisfarne Gospels a reality about 300 years prior.

    Read More

  • Epic of Beowulf Essay - Pagan Tradition in Beowulf

    564 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf is steeped in a pagan tradition that depicts nature as hostile and forces of death as uncontrollable. Blind fate picks random victims; man is never reconciled with the world. Beowulf ends a failure. There is some truth in this conclusion, but for the most part, someone who didn’t have a well-lived life has most likely portrayed it.

    Read More

  • Fear in Beowulf

    889 Words  | 2 Pages

    Pagan symbols such as ravens, dragons and monsters, and poison can be found throughout the epic of Beowulf. The raven was a symbol from Norse mythology; it was the messenger for a war god named Odin. We find the reference to this pagan symbol after Beowulf defeats Grendel's mother. He and "the Geats slept till a black-feathered raven sang his cheerful song" (Norton 1587). This reference to such a pagan symbol is just the first piece of evidence for the paganism of the epic. We also know that Beowulf is a story based on the defeat by a warrior hero of two monsters and a dragon. However, dragons and monsters are not part of the Christian religion, so if the story were Christian, there would be no Grendel, his mother, or the dragon at all. Yet the entire story is based around these three characters. We cannot dismiss the fact that these beings are present in the story, nor can we ignore the fact that these beings are in no way Christian. Fin...

    Read More

  • The Portrayl of Religion in Beowulf

    808 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the story Beowulf, there are a few different religions that are represented by the author. All the religions are portrayed in the story through the author’s eyes and his beliefs. The author makes clear what religion he believes in and his views. Some instances in the story also relate to the conflict between Christianity and the code of warriors. Throughout the story, the author is faced with the challenge of trying to portray his beliefs with a character whose actions are in conflict with his beliefs. Beowulf, in this story is based on the total opposite of the author’s beliefs and there are instances when his behavior is shown, and after there is symbolism of Christianity, to show its conflict with his behavior.

    Read More

  • Beowulf: Pagan or Christian?

    777 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf is one of those stories that make the reader think. Although the unknown author of Beowulf develops the main protagonist to represent both paganism and Christianity, the ideals conflict and create a unique epic poem. Throughout the story, the reader sees a mix of Christian and pagan ideals telling a story of an epic hero. Because the reader cannot decipher whether he is pagan or Christian, it is only logical to assume he represents both. The author develops Beowulf to speak as if the two religions work together to create one. Although it is hard for the reader to understand, Beowulf seems to understand exactly what he believes in. The author clearly knew what he was doing when he wrote Beowulf into life. Beowulf's beliefs made him into the great epic hero that he is.

    Read More

  • Beowulf, Christianity, and Paganism

    970 Words  | 2 Pages

    The poem Beowulf is a renowned story that displays many different surroundings and religious beliefs. Some may believe the story of Beowulf portrays pagan beliefs or customs and others believe that the poem is more in agreement with Christian ethnicity. The author of Beowulf uses both Christian and pagan elements in the poem to define the heroic warrior, Beowulf, and the evil dragons. After reading Beowulf the author clearly shows how Beowulf is a man who is filled with Christian customs and is willing to die and defend the world against evil using the help of God.

    Read More

  • Paganism In Beowulf

    1504 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the Introduction to his translation of Beowulf, R. M. Liuzza suggests that the poem establishes “a kind of spiritual solidarity between the pagan past and the Christian present” (30). While the poem certainly establishes a solidarity between the two beliefs, the way the two intertwine throughout the poem suggests that it is more of a melting pot of the two beliefs, rather than just a “spiritual connection.” The melting pot of the two religions is displayed during Beowulf’s fights against the three monsters: Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the dragon. The poem Beowulf creates a melting pot of Pagan and Christian beliefs that reflect the period of transition between Paganism and Christianity.

    Read More

  • Beowulf: A Mix of Pagan and Christian Traditions

    704 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster, God must decide who will be given to death’s cold grip. Grendel’s plan, I think, will be what it has been before, to invade this hall and gorge his belly with our bodies.” (Lines 268-273) This quote was said by Beowulf a little while before he fought Grendal. This quote shows that Beowulf is ready to risk his life to save his people from a monster that has killed many people. He does this throughout this epic; fighting battles with different monsters that put his people’s lives in danger. Also during some of the fights he has faith in God and he believes that God will be there to help him when he needs it. Beowulf is a blending of Christian traditions and beliefs such as loyalty and faith during a time when your life is in great danger like death.

    Read More

  • Religion In Beowulf And The Canterbury Tales

    865 Words  | 2 Pages

    For years, religion has played a role in the lives of many, after all, there are hundreds of religions being practiced around the world. From the celebrations of special birthdays by the Jewish or Hispanic cultures or the celebration of holidays by Christians and many other religions. There is a great amount of differences when it comes to religion, whether it be beliefs or religious traditions, but contemporary society has become more aware the impact that religion can have on numerous different things. Additionally, religion has been a vast role when it comes to literature. In countless stories, readers will find the topic of religion being influential aspect. For example, in Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales there were influences from the

    Read More

  • Beowulf - Pagan or Christian Epic?

    1060 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion, the epic tale of Beowulf is a pagan tale with a pagan hero. Although there are Christian images throughout the tale, the story is clearly pagan in nature. The Beowulf poet portrays the culture and people by separating the main ideas like a prism does with light. Although there are the Christian references surface throughout the tale, a look at the epic as a whole clearly shows its true pagan nature. No matter which end of the spectrum you are looking from, all the ideas prove that pagan concepts and principles prevail over the values of Christianity. It is shown on countless occasions through the material rewards, earthly fame, false idols, and burial practices. In the end, the separated lights in the prism come together and become one. This array of light in Beowulf is ultimately the strong presence of a pagan hero and a pagan culture.

    Read More

  • The Elaborate Role Of Religion In British Literature

    1915 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beowulf has been estimated to have been written over twelve hundred years ago. According to The Norton Anthology Of English Literature, “It is now widely believed that Beowulf is the work of a single poet who was a Christian and that his poem reflects a well-established Christian tradition,” (37). This conclusion was likely drawn by accounting for the time at which Beowulf was written and factoring in most people in the area of where it was believed to be written had already been converted to Christianity. In a way, this provides the best explanation for why Beowulf contains a high level of Christian influences for the story to have taken place when it did. Dr. J. Michael Stitt of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas says that, “Much of this epic poem is dedicated to conveying and exemplifying the heroic code which values such attributes as strength, courage and honor. Conflicting with this ideology are other factors such as Christianity, and these tensions affect the lives and decisions of the narrative's characters.” If the one of the main focuses in Beowulf is the heroic code and the heroic code convicts with the authors beliefs than why did he write it? This is not to say that authors do not write about things that they ...

    Read More

  • Christianity & Paganism in Beowulf

    474 Words  | 1 Pages

    Even though many Pagan influences appear in the poem, Christian influences override them. An example would be when Beowulf saved the Danes from Grendel. He also expressed a fair attitude towards battles when he refused to use a weapon. The idea of loyalty, a hero, and a giver are all signs of Christianity. Beowulf could be seen as Christ when trying to help the people as Grendel could be compared to Satan who tries to destroy happiness and well-doing.

    Read More

  • Christian Themes And Symbolism In The Song Of Beowulf

    1011 Words  | 3 Pages

    Majority of tribes, heritages, countries, or any type of community withholds a story, song, or poem that they all know. For instance, majority of Americans say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the Star Spangled Banner. Lyrical poems and songs are used to symbolize one’s country or community as a whole. This type of symbolism has been carried throughout history and is still in use today. Anglo-Saxons, once inhabitants of the land, sang a lyrical poem called Beowulf. The song’s authors are still unknown to this day, but there is a conspiracy that the song was translated and altered by monks, which is why there is Christian views inserted randomly throughout the poem. The main character of the lyrical poem is Beowulf. Throughout the song of Beowulf, he encounters many outcasts that cause destruction towards others. The outcasts consisted of Grendel, a boorish type of giant, Grendel’s mother, a much larger version of Grendel, a greedy, and a truculent dragon. Each character, outcast, and hero played a special role to create the song’s storyline, showing values and traits looked down upon.

    Read More

More about Beowulf: Christian Influences

Open Document