Christianity In Beowulf Essay

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Beowulf Essay: Prompt 1

Though Christianity is manifested strongly in Beowulf through the presence of fate and the character Beowulf, there is tension between the values of Christianity and the Anglo-Saxon warrior code that diminish Christianity's role in the story.

Throughout Beowulf, there is an underlying tension between the peaceful ideologies of Christianity and the barbaric, warrior elements of Anglo-Saxon culture. In chapter 3, when the Geats have just arrived in Denmark to assist King Hrothgar, the writer says, "Jumping to the ground, the Geats pushed their boat to the sand and tied it in place, mail shirts and armor rattling as they swiftly moored their ship. And then they gave thanks to God for their easy passing." This …show more content…

In many instances, the winning of a battle or defeat of an enemy is attributed to God's will, and said to be part of God's divine plan. In chapter 14, when Beowulf is recounting his battle with Grendel to King Hrothgar, Beowulf says, "But God's will was against me, as hard as I held him he still pulled free and ran, escaped from this hall with the strength fear had given him." This suggests that regardless of how brave or valiant a warrior is, God will ultimately decide the outcome of the battle. This idea brings the story into line with Christianty somewhat, as the Christian belief of God's omnipotence is represented as the force of fate. The connection between God and fate is made again in line 1055, as the writer says "The monster would have murdered again and again had not God, and the hero's courage, turned fate aside." This quote also emphasizes the influence of the warrior on his own fate, however, a theme that is present throughout the story. In many instances, a warrior is represented as being in control of his own fate, with bravery and loyalty in battle determining the outcome, rather than divine intervention. Though fate is often attributed to God, the warrior code and the power of the individual over his own fate somwhat diminishes this manifestation of

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