Beowulf And Religion

Beowulf, the oldest surviving epic poem, has been recognized as one of the most important works of Old English literature. It deals with battles, warrior culture, and redemption in a Germanic society. Many writers have analyzed the relationship between Christianity and Paganism in Beowulf, and how these were a depiction of an early medieval Scandinavian society. J. R. R. Tolkien, renowned author of the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series, presented his view on the Pagan and Christian elements found in early medieval societies, as shown in the poem Beowulf. Tolkien explained that the poem shows “the nearness of a pagan time,” and with it “the shadow of its despair, as an intense emotion of regret” is conveyed throughout the poem (Tolkien).

When Beowulf was written, Pagan rituals, ideas and deities influenced it, but Christianity also had an effect on the poem. Beowulf is a reflection of many Anglo-Saxon ideals and concepts. It was written after the Anglo-Saxons were already Christianized. To understand the fusion of Christian ideas and pagan-heroic characteristics, the development of religion in Britain must first be considered. Originally dominated by the Celtic faith, Britain’s belief structure experienced a significant change with the conquest of the Anglo-Saxons and their Germanic paganism.

Beowulf is a literary composition regarded as a literary composition of two differentiating religious beliefs. The original religion held in Europe, Paganism, was centered around the belief that there were many gods, and followers of the Pagan religion prayed to them for a specific outcome of success and fortune. Christianity was spread time-accordingly with the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. It is centered around the belief that there is only one higher power and prayer should be used to give thanks to God, rather than to pray for something an individual desires. Understanding the differentiation in the religions held within Beowulf and in the outer historical events is very important to understand where the English language originated.

Beowulf Character Study Essay There are many religious influences and implications in Beowulf, ranging from the characters, to their journeys and their religious beliefs. One of the main religious implications is Beowulf himself, in the text Beowulf appears as a “Christ-like” figure. Beowulf and Christ follow very similar journeys, both men travelled to an exotic land, and began to save and protect the people that lived on it. Beowulf traveled to Danish land; in order to protect them from the incoming threat of Grendel, who also plays a sort of religious character by being a “devil-like figure”.

Beowulf Impact on Society Beowulf is a brilliant piece of literature that greatly impacted the British society because of the qualities he obtained, his transformation to a mature adult, and his devotion to his society. Even though this story does not have a set author, readers are drawn to the thrilling challenges he conquered. Beowulf was a courageous individual who loved a good challenge. Even in the beginning Beowulf had the reputation of being strong, intelligent, brave, and bold.

Since it began in oral convention, the epic Beowulf has no known creator. It does, in any case, serve as a representation of the Anglo-Saxon society it begins from. As a show-stopper, it additionally fills its need of good direction, today serving as an exhibit of what qualities were essential to the Anglo-Saxon individuals. Particularly seen through the characters of Beowulf and Wiglaf, the ballad Beowulf represents three critical ethics of now is the ideal time: boldness, honor, and faithfulness. Beowulf, the saint of the lyric, shows incredible fortitude in all that he does.

Life in 999 was mainly based on pagan beliefs and how people had a sense of doom. Then Christianity was introduced to the Anglo-Saxon society. This new found religion gave this society a sense of hope for the life after death but they were still clinging on to some pagan beliefs during the transition. In the epic poem of Beowulf, by an unknown author the biblical allusions are mixed with pagan beliefs to illustrate the Anglo-Saxon society and are presented through its characters. Christianity was still in a transitional stage and Beowulf illustrated certain Christian values. "

One theme worth investigating in the Epic Poem of Beowulf is the aspect of tensions and rivalries between the Pages and the new formed religion of Christianity. During the Anglo-Saxon period, the war between Christianity. During the Anglo-Saxon period the war between Christianity and Paganism was extremely divided. Beowulf expresses this tension through the use of its characters. In Beowulf, who is Giddish, is a Pagan.

In the writings of English literature both attributes and imperfections reflect the heroes values in culture. Along the hero's journey they gain knowledge from wrong to right, where the reader also follows along the quest of reinforcing proper cultural values. In the Late Middle Ages for instance, their honorable deeds and religious beliefs, pagan and Christianity, were highly practiced as an importance to their lives. In Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight both reflect these beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons and Middle-English while others stand in firm contrast, which can be viewed clearly through an archetypal study of the heroes in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

"Beowulf, the oldest of the great long poems written in English, may have been composed more than twelve hundred years ago, in the first half of the eighth century, although some scholars would place it as late as the tenth century. " The story of Beowulf shows his progressions from the young warrior hero into the mature king hero. The literary and historical background of Beowulf is incorporated into this text. Beowulf, because his story is so old can be argued to be the father of many heroes throughout time.

I believe that Beowulf can be seen as a Christ figure throughout the epic of Beowulf. He shares many characteristics with Jesus. He faces a devil figure, sacrifices himself, and is recognized as a savior by his people. Beowulf to the Danes is a savior, taking away the fear that Grendel will kill all of Hrothgar’s people. In the Christian sense Jesus Christ is a savior to all Christians.

Beowulf The Epic Hero In the epic poem, Beowulf, by the Beowulf Poet, it talks about the battles, and the challenges that Beowulf the protagonist has with the supernatural antagonists Grendel, and Grendel’s mom. After reading this poem and discovering what it took to become an epic hero, Beowulf strongly represents most of the characteristics of a hero. Some people may say that Beowulf was just a guy with some good luck, and he was not an epic hero at all, but this statement is proven to be false. In the poem it talks about the Anglo- Saxon way of life and what an epic hero was to them.