Beowulf Seamus Heaney Analysis

The novel Beowulf by Seamus Heaney is told in late medieval Anglo-Saxon Britain, after they were already christianized, but its about early medieval Scandinavia, which is pagan. Although Beowulf is believed to be pagan, the narrator of the poem makes constant references to God suggesting that hero Beowulf’s trust in God can be translated into christianity. The Angelo Saxon legends were passed down through oral tradition, so by the time the monks got it, they added several christian elements to it. The author may have written it to influence the pagan people at the time. In Beowulf, there are many pagan practices described, the relationship between God(s), and shows how the heroic code conflicts with christian sensibility. Grendel is said to

Beowulf, like other epic heroes, possesses the following heroic qualities: epic heroes are superhuman types of beings. They show great bravery, intelligence, strength and resourcefulness. They have a strong admiration for the values of their society. They are dominant male figures and suffer severe pain, but in the end, they

Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon epic poem that has shaped and influenced much what modern literature is today. It originated as an oral story, being spoken in communities around the Scandinavian land. The story was written around 700a.d. The setting, characters the relate to historical figures, and plot give clues as to when the action of the story occurs, which is most likely around 500a.d. The author of the original Beowulf is believed to be Christian, despite the fact that several characters in the epic poem acted contrary to how a Christian should act. In the translation of Beowulf, written by Burton Raffel (a Signet Classic), there is the usage of Christian quotes and objects of Christianity. Burton Raffel said about his translation “The translator’s only hope is to re-create something roughly equivalent in the new language, something that is itself good poetry and that at the same time carries the reasonable measure of force and flavor of the original…” Beowulf is well renowned because of it has simple themes, symbols, and motifs.

What others deem impossible, a hero makes possible. There are only a few great heroes that come about in this time and Beowulf is definitely one of them. He is a great warrior and leader, a perfect description for him. Heroes only came along once in a while in this culture but it was well known when they did.

The poem Beowulf was written in England sometime in the 8th century. It was written during a time when the society was in the process of being converted from paganism to Christianity. The Christian influences are combined with early folklore and heroic legends of Germanic tribes. Yet, the pagan elements in the epic poem Beowulf clearly overshadow the Christian elements, and it is visible in the character’s superhuman personifications, their hunger for revenge, and their strong belief in fate.

Originally written around the year 1000, and composed closer to the year 800, The poem Beowulf is a renowned story that displays many different surroundings and religious beliefs. It is assumed most people in the area had already been converted to Christianity, which provides the best explanation for why Beowulf contains a large number of Christian influences for the story to have taken place when it did. Beowulf contrasts from other medieval poems, as they tend to be either exclusively Christian, Pagan, or be secular in views. However, Beowulf did not directly fit into any of these molds, as it depicted a fusion of Pagan and Christian virtues. Some see the story of Beowulf as one that portrays Pagan 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 depict Beowulf, and the monsters he faced; Beowulf utilized some Pagan customs, though was willing to die for his cause, using the help of God.

Beowulf is a great example of how Christian beliefs and pagan views could coexists so well in a poem. The poem Beowulf written by an unknown Christian monk around A.D. 700 compares the beliefs of many to the new beliefs that are beginning to form around the world. The poem shows how the people of the time thought about their world and how the things around them happened and they think that the devil controls these things.In Beowulf, we explore both Christian and pagan beliefs, and how they were able to coexist at the time.

     In Beowulf the pagan aspect is revealed through many passages and many heathen rites or customs in which the form of expression or the thought suggests pagan usage or beliefs. The Christian aspect is revealed through 68 passages in which the form of expression or the thought suggests Christian usage or doctrine (Blackburn 3).

The epic poem Beowulf was verbally translated during the Anglo-Saxon era before it was written down by a Christian monk. While this monk wrote down the tale, he includes a variety of Christian beliefs as well as the pagan ones originally used. The shift in society from pagan to christian beliefs is shown throughout the story.

Before the eighth century, England was a pagan society, the English originated from a society marred in idolatry and polytheism. The intermingling of Christian and pagan elements in Beowulf are consistent with the attitudes toward religion that are found in Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Beowulf was written in the Middle Ages (500-1000) on Scandinavia, which was a highly pagan society, however the narrator is telling this story within the timeframe of medieval Anglo-Saxon Britain, which was undergoing Christianization. Hence, within the author’s structure of the poem bear a resemblance to the society presented in Bede. Both books while highlighting the intermingling of Christian and pagan elements did not shy away

When reading the tales of Beowulf and the descriptions of his battles, you tend to think that this is about a god-like or super-powered creator - anything but human. The truth surrounding Beowulf, if there truly is a truth to these tales, is something that remains unclear, because almost nothing other than Beowulf, as far as writings and literature, has survived from this time in history. Beowulf, however, has been written and rewritten, again and again, because these tales were so popular with the people of that time period. These tales had everything going for them, particularly the trials and making of a good, godly man or god-like man. Heroic, epic battles, strength, blood and grit, all things that good story tellers needed for an interesting story. Yet, this is not to say that Beowulf is like any other human being walking around; no, Beowulf is a Geat, and the last one of his kind.

Beowulf is the story of a hero who has a power to defeat his enemy . He is the great hero of his time. The story starts in heorot when all people celebrating a feasts and because of that all people create a noise.Because of the noise coming from the hall the monster named Grendel disturb that is why the monster get out and went to the mead hall to start a war.Because of the tragedy happened the powerful Beowulf exist to end the tragedy experience by the people.It is an interesting story because of it’s heroism. It is amazing story because of his power and he know how to kill his enemy in equal.The weakness of man is

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.

Beowulf represented an epic hero to the Anglo-saxon’s because he is known to be the strongest man alive “My people have said, the wisest, most knowing And best of them, that duty was to go to the Danes’ Great King” (ll 228-230). Beowulf has set out with the best warriors of his people to defeat the monster that has ruined King Hrothgar's kingdom. “. . . chosen warrior who bravely does battle with the creature Haunting our people. . .” (ll 194-195). While talking to King Hrothgar, and Beowulf ask if Hrothgar can depend on Beowulf to save his kingdom. “A single request! . . . Oh shelterer of warriors and your people’s loved friends . . . ” (ll 241-242).

The heroic poem, Beowulf, is a reflection of many Anglo-Saxon ideals and concepts. This work was written after the Anglo-Saxons were already Christianized, but there will still acts of pagan culture at the time. This conversion from paganism to Christianity mixed a lot of the elements. Many Anglo-Saxons still had pagan beliefs, but tried to connect these beliefs with Christianity. Beowulf was written in the time when the society was in the process of converting from Paganism to Christianity. In this epic poem, these two religions come through the actions of its characters. The poem crafts a blend of Paganism and Christianity. Even though many Pagan influences appear in the poem, Christian influences override them. Beowulf should be considered not as a pagan text but rather a Christian one because Christian values are considered the mainstay of this literary work.