Christianity In Beowulf : Christianity And Paganism Collide

The story of Beowulf deals with life, death, violence, kings, and monsters. Written around 800 CE, and then picked up hundreds of years later to be rewritten by a monk, it is written well after the coming of Christ. It could be simply read as an action adventure, filled with conquests and elaborate feasts, as were common of Old English tales. The story is not that simple though, and gives us a peek into a culture going through some drastic changes. Once built upon a Pagan belief system void of Christ and saturated with values such as revenge and violence, the Anglo-Saxons did not immediately adopt all of Christianity. There was a lengthy time in which both sets of beliefs were muddled and weaved together haphazardly, where no one religion was distinct. Beowulf is an example of these cultural influences crashing together. While Christianity in Beowulf, the Old English epic poem, looks different than the Christianity we recognize today, the story is built with Christian values.

The expression “Jesus take the wheel” is quite common in today’s world, but just because it is a modern saying does not mean that it did not have any relevance in earlier time. Throughout the story of Beowulf, a comparison between Christianity and paganism had always been a topic discussed both within the text and spoken aloud in the classroom. Likewise, in this instance, man-made issues serves as a mirror of paganism and trust in God becomes Christianity. Many factors throughout section three revert to paganism rather than Christianity because there was no trust in God. Details such as pride, arranged marriage, and death are the major aspects of man-made issues in this section.

Christianity arrived in Northern Europe over one thousand years ago. This is evidenced by some of the earliest pieces of literature that we have. The epic poem, “Beowulf”, shows many references to the influence of Christianity on English culture. There are many parallels between characters in “Beowulf” and characters from the Bible. Many Christian themes and virtues are also portrayed in “Beowulf”. Throughout “Beowulf”, the theme of Christianity manifests itself through Christ-like images of Beowulf as well as his strength in God allowing him to ward off monsters of paganism.

In eighth-century Anglo-Saxon society, an important transition occurred from the use paganism to the new traditions of Christianity. Beowulf is an epic poem in which the main character Beowulf has an internal conflict regarding two religions. To further understand why Beowulf has both Christian and pagan influences you must first understand the Anglo-Saxon culture. In the eighth century, Christianity was evolving into the orthodox religion for the people. However, aspects of pagan culture were still being observed, but to a lesser extent. This connection led to many works of the time being of both religions. Beowulf was written by an anonymous Christian monk; the ideals of the epic poem represents Christianity, paganism, and coexists as both faiths.

protection is the only way a man can survive, God is the one that sends him earthly gifts, and lastly that a man to be godly should be humble and selfless, although Beowulf himself didn’t exactly followed the last. However, despite both poems having Christian passages, the texts also have parts the Anglo-Saxon culture as well, for instance Judith in the poem depicts her with heroic attitudes of a woman, not a saint, she is beautiful, wealthy adorned in gold, reminiscent of a male warrior military costumes. Equally, Beowulf poem have many references to the Christian god but to the Anglo-Saxons it was still a mixture of their old pagan gods and Christianity “In this poem are many references to Christianity. Some of these seem strangely

Beowulf is an epic poem that is named as one of the first extraordinary brave poem in English writing. All through the story of Beowulf, one finds numerous components of Christian philosophy: that man survives just through the security of God, that every single natural blessing stream from God, and that the best possible course of man is to be unassuming and unselfish. In any case, there is additionally an in number feeling of courageous pride inside Beowulf which is now and again in direct clash with these Christian qualities.

Some may believe the poem Beowulf is mostly Christian, that stemming from the belief that the author is an anonymous Christian monk. Others, however, believe it is a pagan poem while reading the ideologies it possesses. Beowulf is one of the first known English works, and is an important literature piece for cultures all over. When originally written, it was in Old English and has been translated to modern day English, and other languages for many to read. This epic poem treats and develops universal ideas. Some of these include heroes and heroism, the Christ-like figure Beowulf represents, the holiness Hrothgar possesses, and the battle of good and evil. This poem is a great example of the coexistence of ideas, and how to bring them together.

As an originally Germanic oral epic, Beowulf contains many virtues that constitute a society defined by heroic influences. These overwhelmingly Pagan virtues, including honor, loyalty and perseverance sometimes extend to Christianity, but often contradicts it. A good example of this is the virtue of physical strength and honor through battle which in Christian teaching would be seen as unnecessary or even sinful. The author most likely used this piece to spread Christianity through Pagan culture, but in the process, he has diluted what is truly Christian in this story. The contradictory themes of Paganism and Christianity in Beowulf serve to dilute the Christian ideals promoted by the poem’s author.

The next area that Christianity played a role in the poem is with the life of Beowulf all together. The life being related to Jesus as mentioned before him and his 12 companions to him telling them not to follow him. The role starts with Beowulf himself and his relation to Jesus. The two of them can in most cases be called heroes. Both surprisingly for their virtuous sprits and belief in faith. Beowulf through the story does many honorable deeds in saving people and slaying monsters; about the same as what Jesus had been doing. The point I am trying to make is that even with all these deeds Beowulf eventually dies. This in return shows how a Christian should perceive their life. That even with the al giving God and savior death in coming and

Christianity and Paganism are prominent themes throughout history. These themes have been found in everything from literature to artistic works. However they are most prominent in Beowulf. In the poem Beowulf Christianity and Paganism clash throughout the story with accounts of the Bible, Gods, and Supernatural beings. From the start of the poem, the Bible is evident within its verses.

In Beowulf both pagan aspects and references to Christianity play an important role. The presence of the two of them might seem contradictory, but studying the poem more closely reveals that instead there seems to be some kind of interplay, in which they at times react to or even support each other. Typical pagan elements arise in the form of the celebration of any heroic features, and a strong presence of heroic values and codes. Fame, strength and a warrior’s reputation are considered to be very important throughout the entire poem. This is evident in the way Beowulf is addressed, using words such as “the winner of fights” (Beowulf 70) and “warrior prince” (Beowulf 63).

Beowulf was written in an interesting time, during the transition between paganism and Christianity. Indeed, the epic poem includes a mixture of both of these beliefs, and thus presents a seemingly conflicting representation of the true belief of Anglo-Saxon people. Including clear references to Biblical teachings and statements showing the understanding the narrator had of the existence of God, Beowulf struggles to show a solidified worldview. Throughout the poem, Christian teachings are found hidden in the statements and actions of the characters.

Through character speech and narration, the poet inserts Christian views to show the flaws and sinful nature of the pagan beliefs. It is told from the viewpoint of a Christian narrator, who adds and even changes the would-be speech of the characters to talk of God. During the time and setting of Beowulf, Christianity had not reached the people, and any Christian speech or influence wouldn’t have been included. As Beowulf and his men arrive and thank God for the safe journey, they meet a Danish guard, who then escorts them to their destination.

Nevertheless, the unknown Beowulf-poet constructs tension within and around the poem, Beowulf, by the insertion of Christian and pagan elements, and through the evaluation among the two ideologies show how the warrior code resembles the Christian faith.

It is customary for a work of literature that accounts for a variety of customs and values of a society to also address religion as a quintessential part of the society. However, texts that have ancient origins and are passed down orally such as Beowulf can be unclear regarding the interpretation of religious themes. As Stevick points out, “interpretations [of Beowulf] ... sort themselves ... into opposing views”, consisting of “regarding the poem as dominantly Christian” or viewing the poem as one of “Germanic orientation” or pagan (Stevick 79). In fact, Beowulf may not purely one or the other; instead, it could have been set at a time where “Christian and pagan values blend” (Ruth 154), or as Stevick puts it: “mediating these opposing views” as a “‘transitional’ period” (Stevick 79). Conversion of faith is not instantaneous and thus the transitional period is far from brief. Although Beowulf is noticeably centered around this period, it leans toward the time when the Anglo-Saxons were still new to the Christian faith. Contrary to the belief that religious references prove that Beowulf depicts an ancient society that successfully integrated the Christian faith into its culture, the text actually represents the initial failure of the Anglo-Saxon society to adopt Christianity during the transitional period.