Examples Of Paganism In Beowulf

     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.

In the story of Beowulf you get a glimpse of many different themes throughout this epic. Those themes range from good and evil to those of death and glory. The story itself depicts a period in history when life was lead "blind" through the teachings of the book of the lord and his spoken words. At this same period in history traditional pagan religious practices and beliefs have slowly given way to the ideals and philosophy of Christianity. Many of the themes held within the pages of Beowulf stem from the proverbs and fables recited and practiced in the Old Testament, while concurrently adding pagan beliefs of monsters, demons, and multiple gods. The most striking of these biblical comparisons is viewed between Grendel

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.

Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon literary work, encompasses elements of both Christianity and paganism. Originally a polytheist group, the Anglo-Saxons began to embrace monotheism after learning about Christianity. Although they embraced monotheism, elements of paganism and polytheism still lingered in their society as they tried to adapt to their new belief. A combination of Christianity and paganism in Beowulf is the result of the unknown poet’s view of the change in beliefs in Anglo-Saxon society. Regarding the poet, Mr. H. L. Rogers states, “The past fascinated him, but his faith told him that God ruled over the race of men in those days, as He still does” (22). Many think that Beowulf is a pagan poem because of its references to

Paganism is referenced many times throughout the poem, Beowulf. The first note of this religion is “Till the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend, /Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild /Marches, and made his home in a hell...” in lines 16-29. In addition to these lines, Grendel is an evil “infamous killer” who lives at the bottom of a marsh with his malicious mother. Also, these lines show how Grendel is

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.

There has long been controversy and speculation over the religious context of the poem Beowulf. Many believe that Beowulf was written to be strictly a Pagan tale, yet some insist that there is a subtle but definite theme of Christianity that outlines the poem. Although it is tough to decipher the actual intensions of religious outlook in Beowulf, (not having discovered the true author) it is safe to conclude that both Pagan and Christian components are established within the text.

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.

The epic poem of Beowulf is one of the most well known stories in European history. The poem, believed to be first written in 1000 CE, though probably around at least 300 years older, is a story of a Geatish hero by the name of Beowulf who travels to the Danes to earn valor and heroism for his name. In the epic there are many examples of what Thomas Hill refers to as “peculiar spiritual atmosphere”, this is the combination of both pagan and Christian beliefs and values in the epic. While many other early medieval texts are either emphatically and militantly Christian or unapologetically pagan or secular, in their viewpoint Beowulf is neither (Hill 198-199). Beowulf is in fact unlike any other writing of the era and “a presentation of a radical

Beowulf has both pagan and Christian influences. Throughout the story there are many elements of Christian teachings: that man survives only through the protection of God, that all earthly gifts flow from God, and that the proper bearing of man is to be humble and unselfish (csis.edu, 2011). While many pagan influences appear in the poem, Christian overtones are more prevalent, exhibiting many elements of Christian heroism in the poem. An example is when Beowulf says “God must decide who will be given to death's cold grip” (Norton, lines 174-175).   He knows that God has already created an ending to this battle with Grendel, and he is lavished with peace. He shows true Christian character, bravery, and faith in the manner in which he

Beowulf was obviously, in its origin, a pagan text. There are several examples of pagan elements throughout the story. The belief in wergild, a term meaning man-price, is one of the strongest of these ideas. It also incorporates the pagan ideas of fate, the fashion in which lords are buried, and symbols of paganism. The text is clearly one that tells a Germanic heroic narrative, which is not acceptable to the Judeo-Christian ideals.

He is the representation of Christianity while Beowulf represents Paganism, the theme “Good vs. Evil” or “Paganism vs. Christianity.” Grendel has been attacking the Herot every night, and the people of the Danes feared him. A hidden meaning is behind the reason why Grendel is coming every night to slaughter because it is expressing a warning that Christianity is going to dominate or overcome paganism in the end (lines 50-58). Beowulf is more paganism than his followers since he was the only one eager and ready for Grendel to appear while his followers were asleep. His intent was to fight Grendel without the use of weapons and help, except the use of his strength. This demonstrates the bravery of Beowulf that makes him an epic hero with the strong belief of paganism. When Grendel fought Beowulf, he transformed from being the terrorist to being terrorized (line 279-280). Grendel feared Beowulf and tried fleeing from him, however, he was trapped and brought to

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

Beowulf has its religious roots in paganism and that is quite evident being that the tale is revolved around the Geats and the Danes. The epic was speculated to have been written around either the 600s or 700s for the fact that they depict historical figures deaths. The Geats and Danes were largely Pagan tribes that believed in multiple gods, and that fate and honor controlled the outcome of their immortality. In 1066 A.D. when William the Conqueror took control of the British Isles he brought with him Christianity. After the invasion a single tattered manuscript of the Epic has survived. That is when it was theorized that the monks took the piece it colored it with the

Beowulf is an epic poem about a great hero in pagan society written by a Christian poet. During the time that Beowulf was written, the Germanic tribes were in flux, transitioning from paganism to Christianity. The conflict between the ideal pagan warrior and Christian ethics is evident throughout the poem. Beowulf is portrayed as the ideal hero because of his bravery, strength, and skill as a warrior; his success over Grendel and Grendel’s mother is rewarded with riches, a typical practice in pagan society. The tenets that make Beowulf a great hero conflict with Christian ideals such as love they neighbor and thou shalt not kill. Peace, mercy, and kindness are essential ethical components of Christianity while