Beowulf: Pagan Or Christian Poem

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 …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