Christian Allegories In Beowulf

The story of Beowulf represents the merging of two cultural belief systems: paganism and Christianity. Historically, the Anglo-Saxon culture was based upon pagan practices- idolatry, worship of many Gods and a specific warrior’s code of conduct. Beowulf was born of this culture as a legend passed down through centuries by oral tradition until shortly after their conversion to Christianity. It was finally preserved in written form by an obviously Christian author in an attempt to unify the two belief systems, and in doing so hopefully further convincing the new Anglo-Saxon believers that the two cultures could be compatible with one another. The character of Beowulf becomes the ultimate Christian hero, bound to the Anglo-Saxon warrior’s code yet giving credit and praise to the Christian God for his victories. It is from this context that the story presents the conflict of good and evil in its characters, its imagery and its symbolism. In this way the author hopes to inspire faith and belief in God, demonstrate how God deals with the forces of evil and ultimately how God is the answer to triumph over evil or adversity.

Epic poems date back to the early years Before Christ, some even as far into the past as 2100 Before Christ. The original unknown author of Beowulf writes in the Old English language and illustrates medieval times in stunning detail. Burton Raffel credibly translates ancient works of literature into a legible dialect of today’s society, while obtaining many of the literary elements used in the original pieces of writing. Readers regard Beowulf as the “mother poem” of England. This recognition only increases the significance of Beowulf, the actual character, as an epic hero. The poem itself reflects on the Anglo-Saxon way of life, and establishes great differences from today’s society. Like most pieces of literature

The poem of Beowulf follows the Geat warrior Beowulf as he saves the Danish nation and eventually leads his own. Written after 597 AD, the story was told during a period when Catholics sent missionaries to the Vikings, offering a unique view of the warrior culture, where fame was the ultimate goal of one’s life. The growing Christian movement brought about Beowulf, a Christian view of a pagan past, and while it seems as though the poem glorified Beowulf’s achievements, the poet included some passages that conflict with the warrior culture at the time, indicating a cultural shift. The poet praised Beowulf’s ability as a thane but criticized Beowulf’s inability to give up his quest for glory, causing the reader to question whether fame and glory truly fulfils one’s life.

The literary work of Beowulf is believed, by many, to contain numerous attributes of Christian propaganda. Throughout the story of Beowulf, there are several circumstances and coincidences that distinctly relate to the Christian belief system. One can only imagine that these ideas of Christian propaganda; which include the use of Christian themes and beliefs in works of literary art, were strategically placed throughout the story of Beowulf to help the conversion from the old world pagan religious belief system to the Christian beliefs of the new world.

Hygelac eventually perishes and Beowulf is ruler of all the kingdom. Beowulf’s next battle is with that of massive proportion, a dragon, awoken into a rage by the theft of a golden goblet [1,72]. (note: the backstory is reminiscent of the Lord of The Rings.) The dragon continued it’s path of destruction and eventually destroyed the throne room. “He was destined to face the end of his days In this mortal world; as was the dragon” [1,74] This passage spoke to me, I interpret this to be another link that Beowulf was Christ-like, giving his life to free humanity from the dragons tyranny, comparable only to Jesus giving his life for the sins of humanity. As the battle transpired, Beowulf used the sword named Naegling to keep the dragon at bay, as the battle ensued, Beowulf had received a mortal bite wound to his next filling his body with poison, but he bested the dragon by dealing a mortal wound as well [1,84-85]. “The Geat people built a pyre for Beowulf, Stacked and decked it until it stood four-square, Hung with helmets, heavy war-shields And shining armor, just as he had ordered” [1,98]. There are many associations one could make relating the tale of Beowulf with pagan and Christian culture. Beowulf himself is portrayed as a Christ figure in many ways, from his supernatural abilities and strength to his victory of good vs evil, and ultimate death

Beowulf was written in the ninth century, it displays many different religious beliefs, some may see it as pagan beliefs and others may see it as a Christian ethnicity. I think people where in-between, many where converting from paganism to Christianity. Some sources say the story is even five centuries before it was composed so it will be 500AD; it took place in Anglo-Saxon audience. Beowulf is an epic poem and one of the longest if not the longest poem ever. Beowulf is a man who is filled with Christian characteristics and he is willing to defend the world against evil using the help of God.

Written by a christian poet, the epic of Beowulf clearly outlines that failure to avenge an assault is considered shameful. However, Christian values say to just “turn the other cheek”. It is interesting how this epic poem can have both values at once, because of their clearly cut out contradictions. Throughout the epic of Beowulf, Christian philosophy is represented in many ways, like how God protects them from being killed, how God provides them with everything they need in life. However, there is also a strong, contradicting sense of pageanism and heroic code displayed by Beowulf which is mostly conflicting with christianity.

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.

The time at which Beowulf was written also suggests that it could be a Christian story. This poem was written during the same time period Augustine converted King Ethelbert to Christianity. Beowulf was made to help Ethelbert’s followers better understand the Bible. The poem was written in a way that the people could relate too and because almost everyone was pagan, it makes the most since to write it pagan themed. Many

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

The epic poem Beowulf was based on the beliefs of the Anglo-Saxon’s. During this time, the English were receiving information on Christianity, which has a full effect on the messages from Beowulf. At first, Beowulf was told as an oral story, but as time proceeds people have realized that writing a story down is easier to share. In this poem, a hero by the name of Beowulf reveals important messages that are often tied to the things we believe today. Through many battles and events that take place, conclusions can be drawn from the actions and speeches from Beowulf himself. The Great hero Beowulf had many motivations, but the most influential are his sense of duty, a desire to be a hero, and his devotion to glory.

Charlie Chappell Dr. Boudreaux ENGL 1112 24 April 2015 Christianity and Heroism in the Pagan Epic, Beowulf Beowulf is a timeless epic poem about warrior culture written more than twelve hundred years ago during the Anglo-Saxon period. Written as a heroic story, Beowulf himself encompasses the very being of what a hero should be: courageous, loyal, proud, adventurous, and serving of his people. Around the time Beowulf was written was around the time of the conversion to Christianity. The anonymous original poet was tasked with writing the tale of Beowulf, the great pagan warrior; however, he did not keep his own religion from influencing the story.

In the poem of Beowulf it talks about how the strength of man combined with strength and determination helped and change the country by defeating the evil spirit grendel. The Beowulf poet wrote this poem with an influence that are very similar to Christianity. The theme of the poem makes many references to many christian elements such as the evil of sin, judgement, betrayal, and references to god and how god sees things. Readers will be influenced the meaning of the story and understand how its similar to christianity.