Anglo-Saxon Essay: Religion's Role In Beowulf

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Anglo-Saxon Essay

Religion plays a very large role in Beowulf whether it be Christianity or the warrior-centered pagan beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons. Anglo-Saxon Britain remained pagan until 1597, also the early Anglo-Saxons worshiped ancient Germanic gods- these guys were abandoned with the spread of Christianity. To name a few gods, there was Woden, the chief God, Fria was the goddess of the home and Waldens wife, and Tiu was the god of war. England's name came from Engla-land, which is old English for "land of the angles", who were a Germanic tribe.

Next the influences of Christianity in the story of Beowulf is prevalent in many scenes and lines. The symbol of that Herot is said to be a resemblance of heaven. It says that Herod is like heaven …show more content…

The actions are pretrade as morally wrong and antisocial. On the other hand, the characters, such as Beowulf live within the moral and social boundaries. The contrast between Grendel and Beowulf turns their conflicts from a fight into a battle between good and evil Grendel hates others and loves evil and suffering. Beowulf is the ideal goodness and his enemy, Grendel, is the personification of evil.

There are moments where Christianity and paganism both collide and unite. These lines show the Christianity aspect of the epic story:
“Though he lived
In Herot, when the night hid him, he never
Dared to touch king Hrothgar’s glorious
Throne, protected by God—God,
Whose love Grendel could not know.”

Whereas, these lines show the paganistic side of the story:
"The Almighty Judge of good deeds and bad, the Lord God,
Head of the Heavens and High King of the World, was unknown to them. Oh, cursed is he who in time of trouble had to thrust his soul into the fire's embrace, forfeiting help; he has nowhere to turn. But blessed is he who after death can approach the

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