Christian Faith In Beowulf

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).

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.

Whether in the form of sculptures, paintings, or the written word art has been a way for the common and elite to share in the beauty of memories past. Art has played a key role in helping to explain the difference in personal morals and those placed upon an individual by a corrupt society. In Antigone, Beowulf and the Bayeux Tapestry the conflict of social and personal morality is subjected to both physical and spiritual trials. The battle that each man or women has to face elevates them into a man that is desired by others; either for their strength, heroism or beauty.

Beowulf, an epic recorded in the year 1060 by the Beowulf Poet, is the encapsulation of what genuine written work is, characterizing the standard of the epic itself. The more modern film of "Beowulf", delivered in 2007, is an endeavor to do equity to the Beowulf Poet's artful culmination. The poem and film have a few key similitudes and contrasts, which impact the reader/viewer. Essential likenesses between the two incorporate the courageous qualities of Beowulf and the separating of Grendel's arm; in any case, the motion picture has some exceptional contrasts from the content, for example, Beowulf's temptation by Grendel's mom, and how the result of this wrongdoing is his child the dragon, while in the content this brute is viewed as a rebel creature.

A constant and pertinent literary metaphor used throughout Beowulf, translated by Charles W Kennedy, is that of the sea. The sea in Beowulf is a single object that not only acts as a place for entertaining battles, but also serves as a plot device that reveals the poem’s contrasting views on religion and death. It also gives validity to Beowulf’s position of power, playing a vital role in his character development, as well as the development of the plot. It is vital for Beowulf, as the poem’s main protagonist, to have sufficient support and respect from the men he will be fighting with. When the integrity of Beowulf is questioned by a skeptical Unferth, the influential beast that is the sea takes front and center in the argument for the men’s

The middle ages were a far different world compared to what society is like today. People in that era, especially people of nobility, practiced and followed certain rules and regulations that kept them in line and in order. The knights of the middle ages, being a model of societal prowess, followed what is now known as the Five Knightly virtues. The virtues consist of a set of five basic rules that one must follow in order to be considered worthy of being an honorable knight. The Five Knightly virtues are: Friendship, Generosity, Courtesy, Chastity, and Piety.

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.

Additionally, in Germanic societies, such as the one in which Beowulf takes place, there were heroic codes which defined how a noble person should act. It is composed of strength, courage and honor, these codes also included loyalty, generosity, and hospitality. The heroic code was of great importance in warrior societies. In Anglo-Saxon culture and literature, to be a hero was to be a warrior, which signifies the importance of the Heroic code (Stitt). Many examples can be seen with Beowulf, just as said in the book “Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked."

In the great epic Beowulf, written by an unknown author in around 1000 AD, the main character, Beowulf, is portrayed as a Christ-like figure. While reading the story of Beowulf, I picked up on some of his qualities, which reminded me of Jesus Christ. Two of the qualities that particularly stuck out to me while reading this novel was Beowulf’s heroic reputation, and his urge to conquer and accomplish everything that comes his way. When the reader is first introduced to Beowulf they may notice the Christ-like qualities shown through his actions, victories, and his personality. Beowulf was very well respected and loved, just as Jesus was.

In Beowulf he is not interested in being Christian or following the Christian morals, Beowulf is stuck in between his Christian backbone to help the people and his selfish prize of paganism. Even though he wants respect from Christians he has a passion and drive for fighting. Beowulf is known as being a hero and the one to defeat Grendel. Beowulf looks away at weapons when fighting but relies heavily on his strength... as he refused to use a weapon he portrays a confident attitude towards his battles when he refuses to use a weapon. Signs of christianity are giving selfishness and being loyal.

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”.