Beowulf is a poem that reflects a period of religious fusion. Beowulf took place around 450-600 A.D., even though the story was composed between 700-750 A.D., and it wasn’t until roughly 300 years later where the manuscript was in circulation. During this span of time, the Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain and approximately 200 years later, the Pope began sending missionaries to start converting the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. It is important to know the history of this time frame because there is a large gap between when the poem was composed and when the story of Beowulf actually took place. It has been said that the poet who composed the story added Christian elements since it was a time of mass conversion. Throughout the poem we see a mixture
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The popular interpretation of the sermon is that Hrothgar is warning Beowulf of the risks of having pride. However, I see this as one of the key moments where the poet is implying a division between Beowulf’s lifestyle and Christianity. Hrothgar says, “choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride. For a brief while your strength is in bloom but it fades quickly...and death will arrive, dear warrior to sweep you away”(1758-1768). Here he is urging Beowulf to abandon his pride to embrace Christianity and stay away from the warrior lifestyle. Pride is a huge part of the Anglo-Saxon life and almost everything revolves around it, but in Christianity it is the opposite. In the bible it says how pride is one of the biggest sins, “every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD” (Prov. 16:5). Beowulf must let go of his pride to fully be Christian but instead uses it to pursue glory. In the context he says, “but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning” (2513-2514). This is not the proper way in Christian faith because everything that is done is supposed to be in the pursuit of God. Beowulf prevents himself from fully committing to a Christianity lifestyle due the immense amount of pride he
The popular interpretation of the sermon is that Hrothgar is warning Beowulf of the risks of having pride. However, I see this as one of the key moments where the poet is implying a division between Beowulf’s lifestyle and Christianity. Hrothgar says, “choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride. For a brief while your strength is in bloom but it fades quickly...and death will arrive, dear warrior to sweep you away”(1758-1768). Here he is urging Beowulf to abandon his pride to embrace Christianity and stay away from the warrior lifestyle. Pride is a huge part of the Anglo-Saxon life and almost everything revolves around it, but in Christianity it is the opposite. In the bible it says how pride is one of the biggest sins, “every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD” (Prov. 16:5). Beowulf must let go of his pride to fully be Christian but instead uses it to pursue glory. In the context he says, “but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning” (2513-2514). This is not the proper way in Christian faith because everything that is done is supposed to be in the pursuit of God. Beowulf prevents himself from fully committing to a Christianity lifestyle due the immense amount of pride he