Beowulf displays Christian influences in the description of Grendel especially through the allusions to the Old Testament. According to Daniel Anlezark, Grendel’s murders and terrorization of the Pagan’s caused by their tendency to idolize demons is an allusion to the times when the Hebrews committed idolatry after their escape from Egypt (Anlezark 264-69). Likewise, Leonard Neidorf argues that the alteration between Cam and Cain in various scribes is used interchangeably with similar connotations where Cain is linked with antediluvian monsters, whereas Cam is associated with postdiluvian monsters (Neidorf 601-15). However, this is not the case. Grendel who inhabited the world after the flood contradicts how Cain is related with the antediluvian …show more content…
Grendel as Cain’s monstrous descendant, inherited all the evil that is associated with Cain, including God’s anger, curse, exile as well as the sin of fratricide (Genesis 4:1-16; Beowulf 99-114). But the question still remains: How is Grendel related to Cain and his association with the antediluvian monster in respect to the sin of idolatry that the Pagan’s are guilty of (Neidorf 601-15)? God who “condemned him among Cain’s race-when he killed Abel (Beowulf 106-07; Genesis 4:1-16), proves that Grendel’s evil nature is solely rooted in God’s anger at Cain because he killed his brother Abel out of anger and envy. Grendel is the monster that inherits Cain’s evil and anger which he possesses, and the evil is passed down along Cain’s bloodline, which Grendel and all other monsters in the postdiluvian era would inherit. Since Grendel who inhabited the world after the extinction of the Giants (Genesis 6.1-4), it implies that Grendel’s embodiment of God’s anger symbolizes the Pagan inability find faith and trust in God in order to be saved from the evil sins such as idolatry that are created and persist, reflective of the Pagan society. Therefore, when Grendel “committed a great murder, mourned not at all for his feuds and sins-he was to fixed in them” (Beowulf 135-37) strengths the idea that Grendel’s evil nature stems from Cain since he also committed a great murder and did not feel guilty for killing Abel. This demonstrates that Grendel’s connection to Cain as the postdiluvian monster, his anger, and his evil nature is heavily influenced by God’s anger at Cain but also at the sin of idolatry, which shapes him into the character that he portrays in Beowulf. Subsequently, Grendel who inherits the evil and anger from Cain
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.
The text of Beowulf clearly shows that at some point in time Biblical allusions were added to it, and suggests that someone learned in Christianity helped shape the story. The initial depiction of Grendel regarded the beast as “a fiend out of hell,” and claimed, “…he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain’s clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts.” References to hell, Cain, and “the Creator”, make it evident that Christian elements were present in the story. More importantly, the reference to “the Creator” shows that monotheistic theory was incorporated into the text. Grendel’s relationship to this “Creator” is further elaborated on, in which case the author refers to the latter as “Eternal Lord”, “Almighty”, and “God.” All four of which are common ways to refer to the individual Christian God, and were capitalized as would have been in the Bible.
The Christian influences in Beowulf ultimately came from the Christian/Catholic Church of Rome which converted Romans, and thereby the Roman legions and thereby the occupied provinces. Also the Christian/Catholic Bishop of Rome sent missionary priests and monks to the British Isles to proselytze the population. There are additional considerations too.
Grendel is the spawn of the greatest sin in the Anglo-Saxon era -- fratricide. Fratricide is the slaying of one's own brother. Cain was cursed by God, forced to have hardship in tilling the soil and was given a mark on his head. God's wrath would not allow Cain to abandon his sin, by death, and his curse carried on throughout the life of mankind. To read the complete story of Cain and his brother Abel, click here The sin of fratricide did not only mean blood-related family, but applied to the murder of kinsmen.
The character Grendel portrays the fallen self, which will assert itself violently if neglected, and must be overcome throughout life. The monster Grendel mirrors the part of our fallen state. Grendel's ancestry leads to the biblical figure Cain, to which all evil can be attributed. Grendel represents the hidden evil of Beowulf. Rollo May describes this in his metaphor "the dragon or the Sphinx in me will often be clamoring and will sometimes be expressed"(174). Grendel represents Beowulf's Sphinx, that lashes out on others.
Rudd cites various sections of the poem, describing Grendel as a “night-monster of the border lands” (Rudd 3), and the translation of the poem says that Grendel was, “...Conceived by a pair of those monsters born Of Cain, murderous creatures banished By God…” (Raffel 42). Rudd also gives evidence for Grendel being seen as demonic, and reasons that Grendel attacks the Danes out of “...not mere thirst for gore, as we might suspect… but rather… envy of the Danes’ happiness- and envy was a chief characteristic of the medieval devil.” (Ruud 5). He then ties this devilish persona to Grendel’s humanistic aspects, stating Grendel has a heathen soul, and therefore he must be human. Ruud also notes, however, that there are critics who question the validity of portraying Grendel as this three-sided figure, asking questions such as, “How can Grendel be a devil when he has a physical body? How can he be a man when he is so manifestly bestial?” (Ruud 7). Ruud believes that the original poet of Beowulf is doing this for effect rather than consistency, but a more reasonable explanation that encompasses all three characteristics is that Grendel represents the evil in
However, in textbook version of Beowulf, which was translated by a Christian, Grendel and the dragon were accepted as a part of God’s world. This may have not been the case in the original version. Since there was an explanation about creatures such as Grendel and the dragon and their origin in the book of Genesis, they were accepted by the Christian poet who translated Beowulf. For example, the explantation of Grendel’s origin is very clear and apparent. However, there is not a specific explanation of the dragon’s origin. Although the dragon does not have a specific backstory, certain characteristics help show similarities to other creatures and biblical
During the Anglo-Saxon times, the values and beliefs of the Germanic people were considerably different from the beliefs and values of the modern age, which were reflected in the oldest surviving Old English piece of literature, Beowulf. Beowulf is an epic poem written anonymously during the Anglo-Saxon period in England spanning from the fifth century to the eleventh century. The epic poem takes place in sixth-century Scandinavia. “Recited originally in Old English, Beowulf is based on legends and chronicles of the various Northern Europeans who migrated to England.”(Literature: The British Tradition 18). During the fifth through the eleventh centuries“... the ideals of the Anglo-Saxons included loyalty, valour, selfishness, and a sense of
Beowulf is an epic poem that centers around the hero Beowulf, a Geat from Sweden who crosses the sea to Denmark in a heroic quest to save King Hrothgar, king of the Danes and the builder of Herot, and his men from the demonic monster Grendel who kills and feasts on Hrothgar’s warriors. Beowulf’s adventure does not end when he defeats Grendel though, he must also kill Grendel’s mother because she seeks revenge for her son’s death. Once Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother, he goes home and soon becomes the king. However, his last adventure in old age leads him to his death. He fights and slays a vicious dragon with the help of a Geat warrior named Wiglaf. Beowulf pays a heavy toll for his last victory since he dies from the great wounds that the dragon inflicted upon him. Throughout these three central battles in the poem, pagan and Christian themes and concepts are intertwined. Beowulf is oral art. This poem, originally pagan, was handed down from one minstrel to another with many Christian changes and embellishments leading to the mixture of the two religions. Scholars and critics have long debated whether the poem is truly pagan or truly Christian. The poem as a whole though is ultimately pagan with Christian elements sprinkled throughout it. Beowulf is a hero whose ultimate goal is to just achieve success and who is driven and guided to achieve such success by forces beyond his control: he is fated to be a hero.
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.
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.
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
In history, evil men have reigned supreme across many cultures. Some people say that being evil is inherent in every human. If this is true, then writing may be the ultimate way of releasing hatred of the world without hurting anyone. In Beowulf, all of society's evil men can be personified within the demons of Cain. The main demon presented in Beowulf is Grendel. Grendel personifies the exact opposite of what the Anglo-Saxons held dear. Beowulf, the story's hero, is the embodiment of what every Anglo-Saxon strove to become in their lifetime. Grendel is constantly angry, afraid and unsure of himself; while Beowulf is fearless and loyal to his king.
Grendel is a desendent of Cain and is one of themonsters that Beowulf kills. He menaces Hrothgar and the Danes for 12 years before facing Beowulf in battle.
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.