Essay Beowulf: A Christian and Pagan Poem

     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 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.

In the story of Beowulf, there is a noticeable struggle between Christianity and Paganism, and the characters personal battle between the two. Throughout the story the characters display actions that lead towards Paganism and Christianity. Contrary to Pagan belief Beowulf is seen as the epitome of good and beneficent to all of mankind. In Beowulf, the people showed their faith and love in God, however due to horrific events, paranoia caused them to look for a quick fix and turns them to Paganism.

Although the story of Beowulf is filled with references to religion and faith, many discrepancies occur throughout the story that suggest that Beowulf is not a Christian epic. The character of Beowulf frequently speaks to God and obviously believes in His existence. However, pagan practices are mentioned in several places. Beowulf often refers to another being rather than the Christian God. Pagan practices of cremation and blood-drinking are included in the epic. There are also frequent allusions to the power of fate, the motive of blood revenge, and praise of worldly glory. All of these aspects make Beowulf a pagan tale with a few Christian elements.

In addition to Christian virtues Beowulf exemplifies many pagan virtues. The pagan elements of the character of Beowulf

Because it was passed down for many years, Beowulf contains a unique mixture of pagan culture and Christian beliefs. The protagonist, Beowulf, is a mighty warrior who often cries out in petition to the Christian God. In contrast Hrothgar, the King of Herot, is a pagan leader who makes sacrifices to “old stone gods” in times of strife (Beowulf 90). The author may have done this in order to provide the audience with a foundation for the story. Readers of the time were familiar with the Bible and all of its stories. Even today audiences have a firm grasp and knowledge on the events of the Bible. Through allusions to the story of Cain and Abel, and to God’s power and protection, the story applies a stronger and more effective skin to commonly known material.

Christian symbolism in Beowulf within the poem Beowulf, the poet utilizes the Christian religion to symbolize the elements of good and evil and Heaven and Hell. Beowulf is the oldest known English epic poem. The manuscripts date back to about 1000 A.D., when two scribes wrote it down for posterity. The poem was handed down from the Anglo-Saxon period, and through the retelling of the poem, it changed a little each time. The poem creates an oral depiction of an epic hero who strived to fight against the forces of evil. There really was a “historical” Beowulf who helped the Geats and Danes fight off pirates, but he was neither King of the Geats nor Danish hero at any time. In fact, he was not considered a man of any extraordinary qualities,

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.

Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon epic that was transmitted verbally for hundreds of years before it was written down. Around the time of its composition, Christianity was beginning to gain prominence in England and was quickly replacing the animistic religion of the Celts. As a result of the dueling religions of the time, the poem includes influences from both Christianity and paganism, leaving its readers to wonder which religion had the most sway over the poet. Beowulf is a fundamentally more Christian epic on account of Beowulf’s resemblances of Jesus Christ, its allusions to the Bible, and its intimation of a supreme, monotheistic religion.

In the epic poem Beowulf, the struggle between good and evil reveals its omnipresence in even the oldest of tales. The many allusions and symbols throughout the story relate to Christianity and other Pagan beliefs. By looking at them, it becomes apparent that the author of Beowulf believed that the constant war between good and evil is not only fought by the common man but also in the ranks of their highest esteemed rulers and warriors, and even in their dreaded nightmares where monsters lurk and wait for the death of man. Beowulf was written during the budding of Christianity in England, when it was newly forming. In the story there are obvious references to Christian rituals.

In the story Beowulf, there are a few different religions that are represented by the author. All the religions are portrayed in the story through the author’s eyes and his beliefs. The author makes clear what religion he believes in and his views. Some instances in the story also relate to the conflict between Christianity and the code of warriors. Throughout the story, the author is faced with the challenge of trying to portray his beliefs with a character whose actions are in conflict with his beliefs. Beowulf, in this story is based on the total opposite of the author’s beliefs and there are instances when his behavior is shown, and after there is symbolism of Christianity, to show its conflict with his behavior.

Throughout the story of Beowulf there are many an allusion to Christianity, Jesus, and God. This was not in the original oral story, as the original story had a more Pagan influence, especially with its incorporation of the Heroic Code. It is blatantly obvious the distinct and plentiful clashes the story has with itself, as it tries to keep elements of the Heroic Code as well as implementing elements of Christianity and the Bible. The shifts from Heroic Code to Christianity and vice verse aren’t even spaced out evenly within the poem, or gradually hinted at throughout. This first quote comes from the beginning of the story and it says, “So his mind turned / To hall-building: he handed down order / For men to work on a great mead-hall” (l. 67-69). Almost directly after this you see the clash of Christianity, with the poem saying, “It would be his throne-room and there he would dispense / His God-given goods to young and old--” (l.71-72). Right before the hall being built by Hrothgar was even mentioned there is another example of the Heroic Code’s influence, with the poem saying, “The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar. / Friends and kinsmen flocked to his ranks, / Young followers, a force that grew / To be a mighty army…” (l.64-67). Telling about how to be a great king and how to gain your fortune through war is a classic part of the Heroic Code, but Christianity must make its way into the story somehow with the reference to his fortune while being gained through war, it was

When we are first introduced to the epic story of Beowulf, one could easily assume that this was meant to be Christian piece of literature. Whether a reader is aware of it or not in the epic story of Beowulf there are themes of paganism present, the author may have been aware of these themes that they were putting to possibly let the read draw their own conclusion of the story. From the Anglo-Saxon point of view Beowulf is seen as a Christian type of poetry; however, based on the pagan ideals presented in Beowulf, there is reason to say that Beowulf is a form of pagan literature (change from a thesis to a statement). In Support of this thesis six scholarly articles as well Books will provide evidence

By seeking worldly fame rather than eternal salvation, Beowulf is clearly motivated by a pagan value system. By inserting christian elements in the story the writer makes a story that has two conflicting religions (paganism and Christianity) that makes the story more interesting and uncertain.

Rich Lawson quotes that, “Works often provide a great deal of insight about the time period during which they were written”(Christianity in Beowulf). At the time of 700 A.D., life was almost as simple as one could imagine. At this time, paganism slowly faded out and Christianity took its place as the dominant religion. While this was true, people and scribes alike kept their pagan ideologies. The time of 700 A.D. was also the time that one of the greatest and oldest known literary works was written. Beowulf is the story of the typical hero, fighting against all odds to defeat the villain. What some do not see, however, is the tension between two religions occurring throughout the epic poem. Famous critic Rich Lawson believes that “Beowulf contains many pagan themes and concepts, but yet it also contains many references to Christianity”(Christianity in Beowulf). Whether our hero falls under Christianity or paganism is difficult to say, but both sides are clearly represented throughout. In Beowulf, the unknown author emphasizes both Christian and pagan symbolism and how the two coexist.