Christian Influence On Beowulf

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.

The poem of Beowulf focuses on the ideal Anglo-Saxon hero of Beowulf and explores the meaning of heroism. Throughout time, it is clear the definition of a hero has changed, there have been significant modification in what a hero’s morals are as well as their true intentions. Beliefs in today’s society pursue the idea that Beowulf would not be in the parameters of what we may consider a heroic individual.

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.

Biblical allusions in Anglo-Saxon literature make up most of the story Beowulf. Which gives more meaning and background to the story allowing people to associate the bible with the story. The way the author relates the characters from the story to the characters from the bible but not directly, gives it a more sincere sensation. The author builds on allusion throughout the story when he introduces Grendel, describes Hrothgar’s men, and when he discusses the battles Beowulf fought in.

The audience will agree that Beowulf is a warrior of generosity, courage, and hospitality which practically defines the Anglo-Saxon heroic code. However, the audience will realize that he is a man of God if they reflect upon his reason which ensures those values. It is understood that Beowulf is as selfless as they come during a time of fear and despair. Beowulf contains an undisclosed characteristic known as fear and employs the courage required to defeat the demons that people have become apprehended to. Of course, others would argue that Beowulf is simply a new follower of Christ and that his morals fall along the lines of Paganism. However, the audience ought to realize that his death from fighting the dragon proves his humanity and that

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. One can make an argument that he isn’t by saying Jesus never battles anyone, or that Jesus is reborn but there is a clear comparison between these two people.

In Beowulf, the author implements Christianity throughout the novel to express their strong beliefs on Christianity. Therefore religion’s role in the novel is to attempt to convert readers, which is shown through the character’s actions, thus creating religious symbolism. This is shown in the novel in various ways: before anything is done, God is always put first; and where Grendel and his mother live symbolizes separation from God. When Beowulf goes and fights Grendel’s mother, and Beowulf himself dies saving the people of his land, are just a few symbols of Christianity in the novel. The author placed such Christian emphasis into the epic to show how important religion was in people’s lives back then, and their

“Beowulf” is an old English heroic poem written in the Anglo-Saxon Era. While the battles of Beowulf were mesmerizing, the concept of defending the civilians throughout the whole poem was self- evident. Even so, the poem contains many types of archetypes; situational, character and symbolic.

The names of Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. are known worldwide. They have lead many fighting what they believe in. One man many people think of when being a leader to fight for his beliefs of the people is Jesus Christ. Jesus is loved by many and hated by the powerful, just like these three other men, but their is one comparison that has been made to a certain protagonist of ancient times. In the epic poem ,Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, is a leader who fights for the betterment of society while being the one that many look up to. Beowulf is a Christ-like figure because of his selfless leadership to protect others, not for himself. Beowulf is seen as a Christ-like figure because he is unearthly . Jesus and Beowulf are leaders who make loving decisions and

The story began as a cultural fable, and as time went on, its message was tainted more and more by Europeans. In doing so, they hoped to accomplish two tasks: the first of which was spreading the message of the Catholic church, and the second of which was to increase its size. The listeners of the story of Beowulf had no choice but to be completely manipulated by a fabricated truth added to the story by Christian monks. To give the Europeans credit, they did believe that they were saving the Scandinavians from themselves, and it did not take much to absolutely flip the culture of people who are illiterate. However, the absolute inversion of Scandinavian culture is a sad and relevant example of how people believe that their convictions are the only ones that matter. Upon examination of the story of Beowulf, as is, it is simple to see that the influence of Christianity was heavy at the time. To this day, it plays a pivotal role in the storyline, and for that reason, we, as literary researchers, will never know how the original story of Beowulf was

Paganism in Beowulf, and how these were a depiction of an early medieval Scandinavian society.

Beowulf is an archetypal character within a legendary piece of text. He embodies the conglomerate of many Anglo Saxon values expressed throughout his heroic journey. Contrived by the mighty Northern Anglo Saxons, Beowulf is the manifestation of the Anglo Saxon ideals. This work of art helps us identify and analyze Beowulf’s ideals in a way that lets us deduce the values of the Anglo Saxon society. Examination of this poem lets us familiarize ourselves about a society obsessed with religion, vengeance and war-lust beings. They idolized the warrior code, an abundance of warrior like traits that portrayed you as noble as can be, a fundamental aspect of life for the Anglo Saxons. So let us leap into the fabric of time and take a peek into the Anglo Saxon civilization.

In lines 1002-1008 it says, “escaped from by anyone: All of us with souls, earth-dwellers And children of men, must make our way To a destination already ordained Where the body, after the banqueting, Sleeps on its deathbed.“ When Grendel was indroduced into the story in the very beginning it was stated that he was living in hell and was a demon doing evil in the world. “Until finally one, a fiend out of Hell, Began to work his evil in the world. Grendel was the name of this grim demon (101).” Later in the text referring back to Grendel’s residence, “So he overcame the foe, Brought down the hell-brute (1274).” The author brings up fate in the story, “speaks only of how no one can escape fate but all must lie in a prepared place after the feast.” Which to christians bring up many debates over whether everyone is predestined or their free

What do all great works of literature have in common? All impressive literary works have hugely contrasting alienated characters, usually portrayed by the villains, and heroic characters. These two distinct characters may not get along well, but they both work together to highlight the underlying themes woven in the story. Alienated characters reveal the things a society values and desires by embodying characteristics that go against these wants. On the other hand, heroic characters highlight these morals and aspirations by exemplifying them. In the epic poem Beowulf passed on by the Anglo-Saxons, the alienated character of Grendel and the heroic character of Beowulf underscore the values, assumptions, and morals of the Anglo-Saxon culture.

Beowulf is an epic story that relates well to the time that it was presented by having the stories of the epic fights and the thrashings of beasts that kept everybody engaged amid this time. Beowulf presents its audience with extremely intriguing characters, topics, and images that help show us lessons that are particularly required in today 's general public. Beowulf shows us strength through the various characters, for example, Beowulf himself that are consistent with his pledge and fearless, and it likewise indicates us images that give a picture of God and the trust that he conveys to the general population that demonstrate his strength.