Beowulf: Pagan Or Christian Poem

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Beowulf, a Pagan or Christian Poem Prose, riddles, poetry, and proverbs can all be found in Old English Literature, as well as a mixture of Christian and pagan traditions and influences. One such an example would be, Beowulf, the epic long poem whose title character displays heroism and generosity. In this paper, I will explain how Christian values have been woven throughout the poem and mixed with Germanic hero values. Secondly, I will explain the long standing debate of whether or not Beowulf can be considered a Christian or pagan epic. I will compare the elegiac themes in the Wanderer and Beowulf and how they were heavily influenced by the Anglo-Saxons. In conclusion, I will discuss how Beowulf is still relevant today. Beowulf is the longest epic poem in Old English, which was the language spoken in Anglo-Saxon England before the Norman Conquest. This epic long poem contains Christian and pagan references, as the poet may have drawn inspiration from a pagan past and the current Christian expansion during the time in which it was written. The Germanic heroic code, which is evident throughout the poem, is a central guiding force for Beowulf. …The Anglo-Saxons were one of the Germanic tribes who invaded England, they were people who had their own language, values and culture. In the Anglo-Saxon adventurous and popular legend Beowulf, the valiant Beowulf is known to be the Superman during the Anglo-Saxon period. In Anglo-Saxon culture and literatures, the characteristics of a hero are to be bold, strong, fearless, loyal and showing indifference to pain. In addition, Beowulf’s faith and confidence in himself and his role as a warrior in the society are other important factors in being a hero. (Lam) Some pagan elements in the poem would include the belief that Wyrd, fate, would control one life and the belief in superstitions such as magic or sorcery, monsters, and dragons. Christian beliefs included the belief and faith in a personal God and a promise of eternal life. The poem, therefore, speaks of both Wyrd and God – of both the Germanic Fate that directs men’s lives to inevitable destruction and the Christian God who cares for the lives of His children. Another mixture of Christian and pagan values include the monster characterizations. Grendel, his mother and the dragon carry the following personifications in the poem. Monster: Pagan Virtue: Christian Vice: Grendel (ellengæst) Courage Pride Grendel’s Mother Avengement Wrath (revenge) Dragon (hordward) Wealth Greed For over a thousand years, literary scholars have debated whether or not Beowulf can be considered a Christian or pagan epic. However, I will interject that despite the juxtaposition of Christian and pagan themes the following should be considered. It seems to be the general opinion among the critics that Beowulf was developed either by a Christian or by someone exposed to Christian (or at least to biblical) thought, and that it was prepared for an audience that was to some extent aware of the Bible. The divinity many times referred to in the poem seems, by and large, to be biblical, even though there may be an occasional relapse into pagan language and …show more content…
I have touched on the pagan and Christian influences and heroic values of Beowulf. I also discussed the debate whether or not the long poem could be considered a Christian or pagan epic, and the elegiac themes found in both this poem and The Wanderer. The struggle between good against evil, and the characterizations of Grendel (pride), Grendel’s Mother (revenge), and the dragon (greed) are still battles that are prevalent in today’s society.
From start to finish, Beowulf demands our acknowledgment that sorting out the monster from the hero and the coward is a lifetime’s struggle in the dark. Beowulf joins us to our ancestors — whoever they might have been, in whatever far country — at the top of their game, as we would like to imagine them, and as we dearly hope those who come after will someday envision us. (Yeager)
The title character could be viewed as an archetypal savior who was willing to give his life to save the people of his kingdom. This epic long poem has lasted throughout the ages and is still being read and discussed, which I feel will continue to aid in its

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