Theme Of Christian And Pagan Elements In Beowulf

There are many medieval literary works in which Christianity and Anglo-Saxon pagan elements are intertwined. During the transitional period of paganism to Christianity there has been evidence that components of each religion have been mixed together in Anglo-Saxon texts, such as Beowulf. The poems and stories at the time had been altered by newly Christian writers to become acceptable by both religions. Although these historical works are admirably written, there is both coexistence and conflict between pagan and Christian elements within different literary works of the Middle Ages. “The Dream of the Rood” is an example of my idea that there is both coexistence and conflict within the literature. The basis of this poem is about a man who …show more content…
Beowulf is this mighty man with practically the strength of an entire army. To prove his strength along with saving the people of Hereot, Beowulf kills an infernal monster by the name of Grendel with his bare hands. Beowulf will live and die an honourable hero in this epic. One important aspect of the poem is the gift-giving that is throughout “Beowulf”. As previously mentioned, the giving of treasure and wealth is a typical element of Anglo-Saxon literature. Christianity and paganism coincide when it comes to the generosity and kindness between people, but what contradicts this is the avarice that Beowulf shows throughout the story. In the beginning Beowulf does truly want to save Hrothgar’s people and his kingdom by killing the demons of the land, which in return he receives gifts and wealth from the king. But as the story continues onto Beowulf’s later conquests, and as Joseph E. Marshall states in his article, there is evidence that Beowulf is guilty of avarice (1). The fact that Beowulf is repeatedly sacrificing his life and in return obtaining more treasure, wealth, and glory, gives suspicion that he grew covetous. Even as he lay dying after killing the dragon, he requests Wiglaf to show him the treasure that he won: “Go now quickly, / dearest Wiglaf, under the grey stone, where the dragon is laid out, lost to his treasure; / hurry to feast your eyes on the …show more content…
In “Dream of the Rood” when the tree symbolizes the worship of God, even though it conflicts with the Christian belief that religious followers should not worship idols, only God himself and in “Beowulf” when he does good and great things, but becomes greedy in the process. The mixture of these religions in Anglo-Saxon texts give an interesting view on what and how people of that time believed and gives a historical background on the transition from paganism to