The Role Of Religion In The Epic Of Beowulf

Beowulf a tale of vikings, more gold than ever imaginable, dragons, and ferocious battles. This is the exciting eye catching part of this awe-inspiring poem, although is this the only attraction? The story of the horrible beasts and fascinating warrior Beowulf. Slaying these mythical beasts is Beowulf’s calling. He uses the divine power bestowed to him from God to protect and serve despite it never seeming to be enough to fulfill his lust for power. This warrior follows great morals and values. Other characters also help to achieve security for others like the heroic Hrothgar and the wonderful Wiglaf. These characters also follow the same values as the great Beowulf. There are many factors that go into this poem that makes it so deep. The great …show more content…
Religion has a very big influence on this poem from the different ideas that the monsters represent to the values that many of the main characters hold. Religion is quoted in this book with many characters as well as the narrator while they say the digressions. There is a very good example of this in the opening story about the great Shield Sheafson. As the narrator goes into the digression they say, “Afterwards a boy-child was sent to Shield, a cub in the yard, a comfort sent by God to that nation. He knew what they had tholed, the long times and troubles they'd come through without a leader; so the Lord of Life, the glorious Almighty, made this man renowned. (12-17)” The narrator is illustrating that God is the one that gives power to the people. This is important because Beowulf, a mere mortal, was able to beat Grendel, a mighty beast plus being the descendant of Cain does not hurt. This is only understandable by two reasons. Either he was given divine strength, the will to live for his God, or he goes to the gym multiple times a day. Beowulf likes to thank or praise “God” Before goinginto his courageous battles with the demons of the underworld. Because Beowulf does this he makes his faith stronger which gives God even more of a reason to replete the strength he has given Beowulf. After Beowulf is bitten by the demonic dragon, he even speaks to Wiglaf about his situation with God. On his deathbed, Beowulf manages to sputter out “For this, this gold, I thank our Father in heaven, Ruler of earth--- For all of this, that His grace has given me…(805-808)” This quote speaks on how Beowulf’s relationship with God was the main reason for his success. The connection Beowulf and God share help show the presence of God in the poem. Another key part of this is the books deep relation to the heroic