ipl-logo

Beowulf As A Christian Figure Essay

405 Words2 Pages

Beowulf is an example of an epic poem written in Middle English during the Anglo-Saxon period. Beowulf was speculatively transcribed by two Christian monks who are thought to have added Christian elements into the original pagan tale. The basis of Beowulf is a heroic character goes and extricates a kingdom plagued by an evil creature. The significance of Beowulf is that the tale demonstrates medieval warrior culture from Europe. Beowulf has very apparent Christian influences that are very noticeable with even in the first few pages of the poem. Mentions of Cain, resemblance of the monsters and the devil, and multiple Beowulf’s victories acclaimed to God for his protectance.
Within line 16-17 on the first page there is an evident fusion of the Christian and pagan details of the story stating “ The Lord, in requital, Wielder of Glory, with honor blessed him.” This is the first evident fusion of the two religions combining the pagan’s love for glory with a Christian mindset of God is the supremacy and holds all glory. Further into the poem there are perceptible views portrayed that Cain is ancestral kindred of Grendel, the protagonist’s first antagonist, and all of the monsters depicted in the poem. Cain being referenced from the Bible’s …show more content…

Jesus , the son of God, didn’t descend down from heaven to earth he stripped down from God to man to come save humanity using the same tools at the enemies disposal. Beowulf stripped down to match Grendel’s tools to come and free Herot of evil, corruption, and sin just as Jesus being born on Earth to come combat man' personification of evil. Another exemplar of when Beowulf was representative of Jesus is when Beowulf submerged into Grendel's mother cave can be viewed as Jesus going to the place of evil (Earth) to combat evil. Another example of Beowulf being symbolic of Jesus is of Beowulf and Unferth’s dispute; in which Unferth represents Christ’s

Show More
Related

  • Examples Of Allusions In Beowulf

    640 Words  | 3 Pages

    A hero and a monster show the constant battle between good vs. evil through Biblical allusions. Beowulf is a mighty warrior who fights a disruptive monster, Grendel. Beowulf is represented as God, the good, and Grendel is represented as Cain, the evil. Through the analysis of Beowulf`s ability to do well and Grendel`s vengeance, the reader understand that the battle of Christianity and staying loyal is shown by a dispute. In the translation Beowulf, by Burton Raffel, allusions to the Bible reveal a conflict between good vs. evil.

    Read More

  • Comparing Grendel And Beowulf

    1787 Words  | 8 Pages

    (Beowulf 566-567) The Kenning “the shepherd of sins” is Biblical irony as it represents the Antichrist. Once again, this reiterates the idea that Grendel is from the lineage of Cane. In “Beowulf, the Old Testament, and The Regula Fidei,” Christopher M. Cain illuminates the inherent contradictions and similarities in Beowulf and Bible scripture. Cain notices that “Wyrd is used to translate both fate and fortune.

    Read More

  • Crucifixion Vs Beowulf

    355 Words  | 2 Pages

    Godden also points to the Creation story in Genesis as parallel to the building of Heorot and Grendel lurking around as the source of evil. There’s also the story of the Flood on the sword Beowulf uses to kill Grendel’s Mother. I wouldn’t go as far as some critics who see Beowulf or Hrothgar as Christ-like figures, I just don’t see it and if they did refer to Jesus Christ in the poem, if he was anything like the version in The Dream of the Rood then Beowulf would be less

    Read More

  • Beowulf Journal Essay

    1092 Words  | 5 Pages

    The protagonist in the story is Beowulf. He was known for his courage and many triumphs. He is a member of the tribes of the Geats, son of Ecgtheow, who was a famous man and noble warrior-lord known by many all over the world. Beowulf antagonists are Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Grendel is a banished monster from Cain’s—same Cain who killed his brother Abel, both sons of Adam and Eve from the story of creation¬—clan whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcast.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Good Vs Evil Essay

    806 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beowulf is a poem that based in the 10th and 11th century that revolved around the idea of good vs evil. The poem is named after Beowulf who is a supernatural hero that slays any evil that crosses his path but is a real sweetheart when it comes to other people or the king. Beowulf is to be considered an epic poem because the hero in the story creates acts of being courageous and even superhuman in some cases, reflecting timeless values such as courage and honor, and the poem reflects unforgettable values with honor and courage. Typically in an epic poem, one will see a character or “the hero” who has outstanding courage and commit superhuman deeds and show values to other people in that era. “Then he drew himself up beside his shield./The fabled warrior in his warshirt and helmet/trusted in his own strength entirely/

    Read More

  • Essay On Good And Evil In Beowulf

    472 Words  | 2 Pages

    Being an epic hero, Beowulf was very brave and battled many immortal creatures. One monster he came across was Grendel. “Conceived by a pair of the monster born of Cain, murderous creatures banned by God..,”(44), Hrothgar’s men would say. This is a reference from the Bible, showing the evil portrayed in the monster Grendel. This monster went to Herot and killed thirty men just because he was hungry.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Beowulf: A Hero's Journey

    503 Words  | 3 Pages

    This make the hero face a challenge and the beginning of change. When Beowulf had heard about Grendel he got a ship and sailed

    Read More

  • Beowulf As A Christ Figure Essay

    542 Words  | 3 Pages

    As one can see all of these reasons shown can make a direct correlation between Beowulf and Jesus

    Read More

  • Comparing Grendel's Mother And The Dragon In Beowulf

    603 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, faces three “monsters” at different times in his life. The poem begins with Grendel, a monster who attacks only in the dark of night, tormenting the kingdom of Hrothgar. The last two sections of the epic detail the conquering by Beowulf of Grendel’s mother and the dragon. The battle between the monsters and Beowulf represent the theme of good versus evil in the poem, as well as the fusion of pagan and Christian ideals in the changing Germanic society. Grendel’s mother’s actions directly juxtapose the role of a woman in this time period, and the greediness of the dragon with his treasure contrasts with the virtues of what would be considered a good king.

    Read More

  • Christian Influence On Beowulf

    1466 Words  | 6 Pages

    By the time this monastic scribe began his work, the stories of Beowulf were already legendary tales of this era; legends that were passed down orally. The poet cautiously uses this information to compose an epic poem while also combining the notions of the pagan wyrd (fate) and dom (worth), along with the Christian ideals of refinement and final judgement. A pagan poem in its own right, steeped in ancient Germanic culture, yet it is baptized in lax Christian comments and passages. However, while the passages are referred to as Christian, there is never any reference within the poem, to Christ Himself. When we are first introduced to Grendel, we see the first signs of Christian passages appearing: God had condemned them as kin of Cain.

    Read More

  • The Sword Hilt And Christianity In Beowulf

    1358 Words  | 6 Pages

    The hilt of the sword that Beowulf slays Grendel’s mother with symbolizes Christian influence in different ways. The appearance of the sword hilt, how Beowulf feels about the sword, and Hrothgar’s response to it all serve as symbols of Christian influence within the text. The appearance of the sword hilt exemplifies Christian influence. According to Richard Bodek, the hilt had “engraved a scene from the Hebrew Bible showing God’s destruction of the race of giants” (130).

    Read More

  • Comparing Christianity In Beowulf, Sir Gawain, And The Canterbury Tales

    399 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Monstrosity In Beowulf

    1285 Words  | 6 Pages

    In the poem Beowulf, there is a contrast between good and evil. This distinction is presented through the monsters Grendel and his mother, in parallel to the hero Beowulf. The themes of evil and monstrosity are therefore used in the story, as a way to create the notion of Grendel and his mother as monsters. Beowulf therefore appears as a character representing good. Although Beowulf shows traits of abnormal power, like Grendel and his mother, his motifs are interpreted differently.

    Read More

  • Paganism In Beowulf

    988 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beowulf took place in the sixth century, in times where “rank and ceremony, human solidarity and culture” were key components of social culture. Glory also played a huge role: “veterans with their tales of warrior-kings and hero-saviours from the past [rubbed] shoulders with young braves,” influencing the latter to strive for greatness (Heaney). Heroism and sacrifice are part of what “gave drive and sanction to the Germanic warrior-culture enshrined in Beowulf” (Heaney). Christianity played a large part in both Germanic society and the poem Beowulf.

    Read More

  • Anglo Saxon Values In Beowulf

    451 Words  | 2 Pages

    The poem remarks a biblical reference as “Grendel … A kindred of Cain” first surfaces. Moreover, the poem often alludes to God as well as the worlds of Heaven and Hell further elucidating the Anglo Saxon views. Beowulf clearly demonstrates his acknowledgement of God countless times: In fact, Beowulf could well have been slayed by Grendel’s fiendish mother had “God not saved him [Beowulf].” The presence of religious influences are reinstated by the glut of glorifications and innuendos of Christianity and the concept of God within the Anglo Saxon society. Even the mighty King Hrothgar depicts these values showing his scarce concern for material objects “Sharing the gifts God had bestowed on him” signifying his compassion, a requisite for Christian

    Read More

More about Beowulf As A Christian Figure Essay

Open Document