There are many different types of work that were produced by the Anglo-Saxon people. Anglo-Saxons were the first people in England to have a language that was a mixture of French and old English. “Men cut down trees to clear land for ploughing and to sow crops. Farmers used oxen to pull ploughs up and down long strip fields. Children with dogs herded cattle and sheep. They also kept a lookout for wolves - which still lived in Britain at this time” (Who Were the Anglo-Saxons?). The people had very simple lives with no literature and a commitment to the Church. The stories that were told to the Anglo-Saxon people had many different beliefs in them. The religious influences of Anglo-Saxon literature include Christianity, Paganism, and the culture …show more content…
The Anglo-Saxon people were a mixture of Germanic and French cultures who took over England. “Any member of the Germanic peoples who, from the 5th century Ce to the time of the Norman Conquest 1066, inhabited and ruled territories that are today part of England and Wales” (Britannica, Encyclopedia). This was clash of cultures where people spoke different languages and had a different way of life. Anglo-Saxon people had many different monarchies but, this was the first to have a heavy Christian influence. “Ethelbert, king of Kent (reigned c.560-616), who married Bertha, the Christian daughter of the king of Paris, and who became the first English king to be converted to Christianity (St Augustine 's mission from the Pope Britain in 597 during Ethelbert’s reign prompted thousands of such conversions)”("Anglo-Saxons."). This was the first time that you started to see mass conversions from Paganism to Christianity which led to more stories containing Christian elements. They included multiple things into their literature which reflected their culture and customs. In the story Beowulf says, "Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked"(Heaney 113).This represents the value of courage and bravery in the Anglo-Saxon culture which was a major …show more content…
These are elements in their literature that influenced an early settlement that shaped England. The literature of the Anglo-Saxons had a major role in how literature was written. The influence of religions such as Paganism and Christianity were huge on the elements of how their stories were written. ”About 400 Anglo-Saxon texts survive from this era, including many beautiful poems, telling tales of wild battles and heroic journeys. The oldest surviving text of Old English literature is “Cædmon 's Hymn”, which was composed between 658 and 680, and the longest was the ongoing “Anglo-Saxon Chronicle”. But by far the best known is the long epic poem “Beowulf” (The History of English - Old English). The Anglo-Saxons were the first people of England to have literature and a common language. Their literature had combined Paganism and Christianity elements to influence today’s
Beowulf is among the earliest surviving works of literature. It was written in Old English and dates back sometime before the tenth century A.D. The poem is set in Scandinavia, and tells the story of the heroic warrior, Beowulf. Beowulf was the perfect hero. He fought for his people and defeated evil with his ability to bring on justice. Three of Beowulf’s traits that serve as evidence of this were his remarkable physical strength, his ability to put the well-being of others before his own well-being, and his courage.
Many people may have heard of the story of Beowulf, but not know who the Anglo-Saxons were. According to an article on BBC History, the term Anglo-Saxon refers to settlers from the German regions of Angeln and Saxony. The Anglo-Saxons made their way over to Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire around AD 410 and the period lasted for 600 years. During this period there where many rises and falls of bishops and kings, as well as many important battles. The Anglo-Saxon warriors had a variety of weapons and armor to defend them. This includes spears, scramaseaxes, swords, shields, helmets, and body armor.
Beowulf, an epic poem, written by unknown and translated by Seamus Heaney, is an artifact of the Anglo-Saxon era because it is a piece of literature that was documented once. During the time it was written, writing was not common. The poem reveals a lot of the Anglo-Saxon practices and beliefs, but it also is compared to Christianity because was written down by a christian monk.
The Roman conquest of England in 43 AD, coinciding with the introduction of Christian values, the alphabet and writing utensils was the start of a new Era. Missionaries sent by the Roman Pope to England influenced the pagan values of the native Britanie, as exemplified in their literature. Anglo-Saxons, whom contributed the features of a literary Epic, were torn between pagan beliefs and Christian values as their predecessors had been. The first literary Epic, Beowulf, illustrates the struggle between these two ideologies, as well as contributes the sought after values of heroism. The Eaters of the Dead also demonstrates this struggle between cultures, playing off Beowulf in theme. Excalibur, the Arthurian Legend, depicts the final battle between Christian and pagan belief, Christianity winning out in the end. Epics such as these express their values through heroic acts and support William Shakespeare's quote; "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."
The Anglo-Saxons were a group of warlike tribes who occupied England starting around A.D. In the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, by an unknown author, the titular character is shown to be a perfect example of what the Anglo-Saxons believed to be a hero. Beowulf is a glory seeking warrior who throughout the epic is encouraged by the pursuit of glory; he later achieves this glory by winning great battles and boasting of his accomplishments; these accomplishments are later recognized by others in Anglo-Saxon society, further forwarding his quest for the glory.
Beowulf was written around 700 A.D. by an unknown author. While it is a part of English Literature, it does not take place in England. Instead, it tells the reader events that happened in Sweden and on the Danish island of Zealand. The pagan and Christian references suggest that the poem is most likely written about the time that the Anglo-Saxon society was converting from paganism to Christianity. Monasteries provided a place for learning and they also saved some of the manuscripts, such as the story Beowulf. Christianity does eventually replace pagan religion as far as Anglo-Saxons are concerned. Although the unknown author of Beowulf develops the main protagonist to represent both paganism and Christianity, the ideals conflict create a unique epic poem.
Beowulf, the national epic of England, was passed down from generation to generation tells the legend of a mighty hero. This folk epic portrays the ideas of 16th century Anglo-Saxon culture until the early 8th century when a monk transcribed it into written form. Housed in the British Museum, the manuscript is considered to be a historical document as well as a great piece of literature. This tale narrates a story about a man who saves two nations from terrible beings which embody evil. Beowulf contains many themes such as the fantasy of supernatural creatures and the role of woman. However, the main focus of this tale presents both Christian and Pagan ideals. While the epic shows evidence of patristic influences, it more clearly depicts ideals associated with pagan culture and society.
In the Middle Ages, Christianity dominated the lives of the nobility and peasants. The Church became prosperous and very influential. King Alfred made a substantial contribution to Old English language and culture by overseeing the transcription of the only oral form of the epic poem Beowulf. Beowulf is a nobleman that lived in a pagan world that Christianity had not yet dominated. The Scandinavian society composed of three parts: warriors, clerical, and farming classes. Within the poem of Beowulf, the primary focus is the warrior class. The man Beowulf would have been of Norse religion while the poem deviates towards the Christian God. In The Canterbury Tales, the author is Geoffrey Chaucer, and he is the considered the father of English literature. Although the poem does not give the impression of being political, during the period, there was political and religious instability. The corruption of the Catholic Church was so abundant that it eventually leads to the Protestant Reformation. Chaucer primary focus is the middle class. An extremely relevant aspect in both poems forced integration of religion.
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
One of the first literary work studied by our class was “Beowulf,” the longest and greatest surviving Anglo-Saxon poem. The poem is packed full of Christian and Pagan elements that are constantly fighting for the dominant position. In order to understand these thematic elements portrayed throughout “Beowulf,” we must first discover
"The Anglo Saxons appear as a race of fierce, cruel, and barbaric pagans, delighting in the seas, in slaughter, and in drink "(Allen, 17). The character of the ancient Saxons displayed the qualities of fearless, active, and successful. The Anglo-Saxons are mostly a barbaric race, not savage and rude but mostly military and...
In the Anglo Saxon time period, the epic poem Beowulf written by The Beowulf poet, describes important symbols which signifies certain characteristics of important events. In Beowulf, certain examples of characters that have symbolism are Grendel’s Claw, Herot and Grendel’s Lair. The Anglo Saxon occurred in the Medieval Period which was around 449-1485. There was an invasion that occurred within Julius Caesar he tried to conquer throughput religion, roads, agriculture and protection. It happened in England in an Angle Land, the language spoken was old english. Alfred the Great was a viking the stopped from conquering. Norman Conquest 1042- Edward the Confessor. The Norman Conquest was the Battle of Hastings. They had many religions one was
Beowulf, being Tolkien’s biggest inspiration in The Lord of The Rings, is the prime example of Anglo-Saxon Literature. Written anonymously, it is the oldest surviving epic poem in history. The Anglo-Saxon time period thrived on the heroic codes of Honor, Strength, and Bravery. The warrior, Beowulf himself, exemplified this heroic code...
Beowulf was written in the time when the society was in the process of converting from Paganism to Christianity. In this epic poem, these two religions come through the actions of its characters. The acceptance of feuds and the courage of war are just a few examples of the Pagan tradition, while the Christian mortalities refrain from the two.
The Anglo Saxon period is the oldest known period of time that had a complex culture with stable government, art, and a fairly large amount of literature. Many people believe that the culture then was extremely unsophisticated, but it was actually extremely advanced for the time. Despite the many advancements, the period was almost always in a state of war. Despite this fact, the Anglo-Saxon period is a time filled with great advancements and discoveries in culture, society, government, religion, literature, and art.