Examples Of Paganism In Beowulf

The poem Beowulf is a renowned story that displays many different surroundings and religious beliefs. Some may believe the story of Beowulf portrays pagan beliefs or 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 define the heroic warrior, Beowulf, and the evil dragons. After reading Beowulf the author clearly shows how Beowulf is a man who is filled with Christian customs and is willing to die and defend the world against evil using the help of God.

When Grendel's mother arrives to torment the Danes, seeking vengeance for her son’s death, Beowulf’s fight with Grendel's mother

The theme of Beowulf is heroism. Beowulf himself represents the heroic ideal because of his features, strength, and courage, but also because of his intelligence and honor. Beowulf is proud of his strength and great his honor. When Beowulf goes to Heorot, waiting for Grendel, he refuses to keep a weapon. He believes in himself that he can defeat the monster who has devoured many men without using any weapons. It turns out that Beowulf's intelligent approach was right. Glory is also one of the themes in Beowulf. In the beginning, Beowulf comes to Hrothgar's rescue, not just out of generosity but out of a desire to win glory for himself in

Anglo-Saxon literature is characterized by heroes. This brought about attributes such as honor and loyalty. Specifically, for this text, loyalty was key for both the antagonist and the protagonist in the text. Beowulf was loyal to overcoming Grendel to become the “hero.” This desire continued with the battles with Grendel’s mother and the Dragon. Through his ability to overcome each monster, he displayed his loyalty to Hrothgar. Shifting focus to the antagonist, it is evident that Grendel’s mother was loyal to fighting for Grendel. Oddly, Grendel’s mother characteristic of loyalty take on a negative connotation. She sought vengeance for his death at any cost. It could be said that Grendel’s mother was loyal to a fault, but this was common for

Beowulf is an epic poem combining different stories consisting of contrasting elements, such as paganism and Christianity. Within these stories of Beowulf and the followers of Beowulf, as well as the enemies, paganism actually played the role of the largest religion practiced versus that of Christianity. The stories that make up this epic go by their own titles like, The Wrath of Grendel, The Coming of Beowulf, The Battle with Grendel, The Monster’s Lair, The Battle with Grendel’s Mother, The Last Battle, The Spoils, and The Farewell; all of these stories consist of the comparing and contrasting of paganism and Christianity. Within each of these stories, Christians take on the emotions and behaviors of paganism.

What comes in your mind when you hear the word Heroism. Does a knight in shining armor pops up in your mind or maybe a firefighter who 's willing to put down his life for the good of others , well Beowulf was both. In the novel Beowulf , to me, the main theme of the entire story is heroism. Beowulf is your knight in shining armor or your fire fighter who goes into a living hell to save a kitten. Heroism is scattered all over this epic poem. Sure paganism and christianity are in it as well as good vs evil but they are not as i would say the backbone of Beowulf. to prove my opinion I shall gather quotes from the epic novel would strongly aid the fact that heroism is indeed the main theme in Beowulf. “Heard how Grendel filled the nights with horror And quickly commanded a boat fitted out proclaiming that he 'd go to that famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar now when help was needed” (page 42 line 111-116) As you can see Beowulf is willing to help others far away from his own land even though he has heard that is monster named Grendel vanquished many brave souls. Beowulf loves his life but as a true hero he is he puts the life of others before his. many warriors have attempted to slay the monster Grendel but have failed but Beowulf a hero bathed in heroism doesn 't hesitate to go. “I, alone and with the help of my men may purge all evil from this hall”(page 44 lines 165-166) This is another example of heroism from Beowulf. Beowulf knows that the the mead hall

In the epic poem Beowulf the poem depicts the time in religious history where Christian and pagan beliefs were introduced to society. This poem was written in the time of the Anglo-Saxon period where pagan was the preferred religion. In later years as time gradually passed, Christianity became one of the more favored religions. Beowulf contains many elements of both religions. Though paganism was very popular throughout this poem, it showed a mixture of the two beliefs. These beliefs played a major role in the society of the seventh century, and these themes are still shown in today’s society. As students of literature we see that these universal themes of good and evil are not only evolving but also causing mankind to feud with one

The Pagan deities, rituals as well as pagan ideas influenced Beowulf, when it was being created, though the passing down of the epic narrative in verbal form, the Christianity age would provide a residual effect to the story. The ideas mixed is not signifying a struggle to attain religious power in the entire story, but the poem is blended with heroic ideals of

In Beowulf, the conflict between good and evil is the poem 's main and most important aspect. The poet makes it clear that good and evil doesn’t exist as only opposites, but that both qualities are present in everyone. Beowulf represents the ability to do good or to perform acts selflessly and in help of others. Goodness is also showed throughout this epic as having the ability to cleanse evil. Even though evil is presented by Grendel, Grendel 's mother, and the dragon, who are filled with a desire to act against people and ultimately destroy them, even pride, a human quality, is presented in Beowulf as a sign that evil exists. This story might even be considered a classic because it mainly talks about the old fashion

Contained within the epic poem Beowulf is the continuous, underlying theme of good versus evil – the shift from paganism to Christianity. Although this epic consists of the battle between the hero, Beowulf, and the monster, Grendel (and Grendel’s mother, as well), the main overture of the story is that of the new Christian belief triumphing over evil and the old pagan beliefs. This value is but one of many that contrast the pagan and Christian principles in Anglo-Saxon and in Beowulf. The blending and cultivation of these two religions are central to the tale, and to early Anglo-Saxon life. Moreover, this shift was crucial for Christianity’s acceptance into a pagan and polytheistic- based society.

Grendel’s mother was extremely evil and sought revenge by killing retainers of Beowulf and the king.

Beowulf was written in England about sometime in the 8th century. This provides us with an idea of that when the poem was written during a time when society was in the process if being converted from the Paganism Religion to the Christianity Religion. The Christian influences were combined with the early folklores and heroic legends of the German tribes, that whether or not Christian and bible influences were added later on to the original document. The fact that Christianity and Paganism were so closely intertwined with each other in the poem is the reason that Beowulf has both of the influences of Christianity and Paganism influences. The Pagan elements in the poem of Beowulf are shown by the character’s having superhuman personifications. Beowulf is depicted as a superhero, who takes it upon himself to save the great Danes from the monster Grendel. In his battle with Grendel, Beowulf chooses not to use weapons against the monster Grendel. He wants to fight him in a fair fight, he relies on his super strength to win the fight. During the fight, his strength takes over and he wrestles with Grendel until he is able to rip, Grendel’s arm out of socket. Let’s start with how Christianity was introduced, by the character Beowulf always trusting in god as his protector and how that God uses him as an epic hero type to slay the monsters Grendel and the other monsters as well that are hurting King Hrothgar and his people. Beowulf’s courage and faith is shown throughout the story,

The majority of people believe that originally, Beowulf was a Pagan artifact. In fact, such belief has developed further to maintain that an anonymous Christian rewrote the piece with the intent of applying Christian characters to the initial script. Academics, however, differ on whether the central thematic argument was Christian or Pagan. The author remarkably puts actions into the context of the Bible owing to the impulse at the era of converting everyone to Christianity. By, interlocking the old Pagan elements of folklore and Christian belief, Beowulf grows into a standard of fiction, which is difficult to outshine. In essence, the epic of Beowulf has no recognized author ever since its original tradition. However, it does represent the culture of the Anglo-Saxon from which it originated. Besides, it serves its goal of moral teaching as a work of art and the meaning hero-life (Disraeli). The poem’s hero, known as Beowulf, seems to display great bravery in all the things he takes part in during his time. Indeed, Beowulf represents one of the greatest epic heroes in history; he symbolizes bravery and honor, loyalty to his people, and the reputation he holds, as he represents the Anglo-Saxon culture.

Heroism is one of the most values traits in the warrior culture of Beowulf. The three monsters that Beowulf encounters behave with human characteristics, such as envy, grief, and anger, which undermine conventional notions of Beowulf’s heroism. In contrast, the often discussed past battles between human warring clans of greed and rivalry strengthen his heroism.

The epic poem, Beowulf, shows many examples of christian and pagan thoughts, and it also demonstrates the characteristics of Beowulf. Beowulf is the oldest poem in the english language. It encompasses common themes that we still see in english literature today. Although no one knows who wrote, when it was exactly written, or how true it is, Beowulf is simply good writing. There are many examples of pagan beliefs in the poem, but it points more towards a christian influence. Beowulf had many different characteristics throughout the epic poem. He was very arrogant and full of himself, but also brave. He had a strong desire to demonstrate his courage to others. Here he shows the epic hero very well.