Examples Of Religion In Beowulf

Religion in Macbeth and Beowulf Whether it be a play or a poem religion will influence how the author writes their story. Some writings might hold more religious standing than others, for example Macbeth and Beowulf. While both Macbeth and Beowulf express Christian views, Macbeth’s Christian standing is stronger because it doesn’t use paganistic views like Beowulf, and the characters express a more biblical background. Shakespeare's biblical imagery in Macbeth is far greater than Beowulf’s biblical standing.

Juxtaposition of Pagan and Christian Beliefs In Beowulf, the unknown author uses the juxtaposition of Christian and Pagan beliefs and ideals to convey the idea that accommodating two belief systems is difficult and unlawful. Throughout the epic poem the mix of Christian and Pagan beliefs in the Anglo-Saxon society coexist. The characters throughout the poem acknowledge Gods presence, but they drift back to pagan cultural values, which cause complications for the characters throughout the book. Throughout the entire epic poem of “Beowulf” the juxtaposition of pagan and Christian beliefs is evident and causes inner tension and problems to arise.

Title Stop and think for a moment, what is your idea of a hero? What characteristics make up this hero? When reading the story Beowulf it can be discovered that a hero has strength, loyalty, and courage to endure all of their battles. With these qualities it made the story have a more Christian aspect, such as when he gave thanks to God when he safely crossed the sea, the character Grendel is a descendant of Cain, and Beowulf is a Christ like figure. “To that hall, but by Hrothgar for the best and bravest of his men; the path was plain; they could see their way” (225-227).

In Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, religion and hell are referenced to many times throughout the story. “Because the poet 's obvious references to religious matters are infrequent and elementary, he would-appear to have had a slight grasp of Christianity as we understand it, unless he disguised his erudition with characteristic Anglo-Saxon understatement (Whallon).” Chapter two of Beowulf “is most interesting when it collects the familiar evidence for Christian education in the early Anglo-Saxon (Parker)” era. When he speaks of the arrows of the devil in lines 1743 through 1744, “Grown too distracted. A killer stalks him, An archer who draws a deadly bow,” “one may therefore look to a passage in Ephesians, observe that the image was common

In both the poem and movie, Christianity is widely referenced, and the Anglo-Saxon society seems to be turning towards it as their main religion. The movie portrays a scene in which Wealhtheow (Beowulf’s wife) is being accompanied by a priest. You can imagine how much Christianity was now recognized across the land if the queen obtained a priest to follow her wherever she desired to go. On top of that, in the Beowulf poem, before he fights the evil monster, Beowulf quotes “God must decide who will be given to death’s cold grip. ”(Lines 174-175) Before his battle with Grendel, it is clear that Christianity is present since Beowulf directly references God and how he is responsible for determining the fate of the battle.

Beowulf compares himself to Grendel as he declares, “He is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I. My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to if I hid behind some broad linden shield: My hand alone shall fight for me” (263-268). Beowulf is willing to do whatever it takes to have himself viewed as a heroic figure by those around him.

This story follows how the narrator of Beowulf struggles between the Christian beliefs and values of the narrator and the Pagan activates done by the charterers in the story. The narrator however does say he believes that Beowulf would have been Pagan, but still thinks that the trust Beowulf has in God makes him a Christian. There are many references to God in this story. For example in Beowulf it states “Afterwards a boy-child was sent to Shield, a cub in the yard, a comfort sent by

Beowulf cares greatly for his honor. When he is fighting Grendel, he decides to not use a weapon since Grendel has none. He doesn’t want anyone saying he won unfairly. When being spoken about his fighting it is said, “He, swiftly banished to mingle with monsters at mercy of foes…” (Part 2)

Beowulf embodies many universal societal heroic values that are signified in the modern world like courage, bravery, and strength. In the poem, Beowulf displays courage. “Now, I mean to be a match for Grendel, settle the outcome in single combat” (Heaney 425-426). This quote shows courage because he’s telling them that he can fight Grendel and wants to weather he wins or loses.

Nevertheless, I don 't recall hearing any glorious deeds of yours, except that you murdered your brothers. You 'll prowl the stalagmites of hell for that, friend Unferth—clever though you are" (Gardner 162). This clearly justifies the fact that Grendel is not a devious and destructive creature. In the quote Beowulf is boasting and smack talking and Grendel doesn 't do this much at all. So this is clearly conveying in my opinion that that Beowulf has a chance to stop the fighting and madness but he continues to boast and stir Grendel up.

Critically assess the extent of Christian and Latinate influence on Beowulf. When first reading Beowulf it would appear that the Christian references within it superimpose onto the essentially pagan view that makes a huge body of the poem. Therefore, within this assignment, there will be investigations of inconsistencies. Sources clearly show that Beowulf was written by Germanic pagans that had been debauched by some leftist ecclesiastic wordsmith , to the insistence that the author designedly created the Christian allegory along the lines of Book 1 of The Faerie Queen. It is know that Germanic traditions and techniques were used by Anglo-Saxons to frame Christian literature, just as it was with the poet of Beowulf.

The Sword Hilt and Christianity in Beowulf Christianity was a major cultural influence during the time in which Beowulf was written. Although the characters within the text are not Christians, the writer is. A religious writer will certainly insert some elements of their beliefs into some texts they write. The writer may make these beliefs evident through characters or certain objects within their texts. In the context of Beowulf, the hilt of the sword is the object chosen.

The thing that stands out when reading the stories of Beowulf, Sir Gawain, and the Canterbury Tales is that the writers use Christianity to show conflicts in human nature. Also with these stories taking place in different times with writers who have different opinions about Christianity and how it has influences Society. For example, in Beowulf, the writer chooses to mash up the ideas of Christianity and paganism because during the time that the writer was transcribing the story there were missionaries trying to convert the Anglo-Saxons that lived in Britain, so the missionaries used Beowulf as a way to reach the pagans. This is also been done to other stories like in the Viking legend Thor god of thunder where at the end of the story the world

The epic poem, Beowulf was influenced by Anglo-Saxon cultural beliefs. Beowulf is the longest, and greatest surviving Anglo-Saxon poem. The setting of the epic is the sixth century in what is now known as Denmark and southwestern Sweden. This poem strengthens the Heroic Code. This code was derived from the Anglos-Saxons’ Germanic roots and was a basis for Anglo-Saxon honor.

Christopher Cain, professor and expert in Old English and Medieval Scandinavian literature and culture, published an essay analyzing the relationship between Beowulf and the Old Testament, as well as the presence of paganism in this poem. In the essay, it is noted that “the general tone of the poem and its ethical viewpoint are decidedly Christian;” the poet relied heavily upon the Bible, as can be evidenced by “allusions to Cain, the Creation, and the Deluge,” which are all Old Testament allusions (Cain). The characters themselves also serve to represent Christian ideologies, though references to Germanic culture appear frequently. For instance, this is embodied in the scene where Beowulf is fighting to rid Heorot of Grendel, and “Beowulf recognizes it to be God's will that determines the outcome of the fight—” not his own strength (Cain).