Beowulf is an Old English epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. It may be the oldest surviving long poem in Old English and is commonly cited as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature. Beowulf survives in a single manuscript, known as the Nowell Codex.
The poem deals with legends surrounding a hero, Beowulf, and his fights against monsters and dragons. Throughout the poem, Beowulf shows characteristics of both Christianity and Paganism. He believes in fate and has great faith in God but also practices Pagan rituals such as blood vengeance.
Some scholars believe that Beowulf was written by a Christian monk who was trying to incorporate Pagan elements into Christianity in order to convert the Anglo-Saxons. However, there are also many elements of Christianity in the poem, such as Beowulf’s faith in God and his belief in an afterlife. It is difficult to say definitively whether Beowulf is a Christian or Pagan poem.
Beowulf was composed in England during the eighth century. This suggests that, at the time when society was converting from paganism to Christianity, the poem was written. We attempt to evaluate whether or not Christian and biblical influences were introduced later to an originally pagan poem and see if they blended with early folklore and heroic German tribes’ tales. The fact that Christianity and Paganism are so intricately linked in the poem is why Beowulf contains both Christian and pagan elements.
The most obvious Christian influence in Beowulf is the repeated references to God. The poem opens with a reference to the “Almighty Lord” and later, Beowulf thanks God for his victory over Grendel. Beowulf also makes a point of saying that he fights not only for himself but also for God. Christianity is also evident in Beowulf’s funeral, when a priest delivers a Christian sermon.
However, despite these Christian elements, Beowulf remains a very pagan poem. Paganism is evident in the way violence and revenge are glorified and in the focus on material wealth and earthly treasures. Beowulf himself is more concerned with being remembered as a great warrior than with being seen as a good Christian.
So, while Beowulf has clear Christian elements, it is ultimately a pagan poem. This is most likely due to the fact that Christianity was not yet the dominant religion in England when the poem was written. It would not be until the 10th century that Christianity would become the official religion of England. Beowulf is a reflection of the society at the time it was written and, as such, it contains both Christian and pagan elements.
Belowulf, the epic poem, is traditionally believed to have been composed between the 8th and 11th centuries. Beowulf contains many elements of both Christianity and Paganism. The majority of scholars believe that Beowulf was originally a Pagan poem that was later altered to contain Christian concepts. However, there are also many scholars who believe that Beowulf was always a Christian poem. There is evidence for both sides of the argument.
The first evidence of Christianity in Beowulf is when Hrothgar builds a great mead-hall called Herot. He does this to glorify himself and his accomplishments instead of giving glory to the pagan gods. “Then let us thank the Almighty Lord / who has given us such a shelter against the fury of Grendel / and has put strength in our hands so that we might avenge this crime. / Let us raise a drinking-horn to the Lord and boast of His great works.” (ll. 410-414). In this passage, Hrothgar is giving glory to God instead of to the pagan gods. He also mentions that it was God who gave them the strength to fight Grendel.
Later in the poem, Beowulf fights and defeats Grendel. After Beowulf kills him, Grendel’s mother comes to avenge her son. Beowulf fights and kills her as well. “That was the last time that any man ever saw her alive on earth – unless it was the devil coming for her, as he does for all evil creatures when their time comes.” (ll. 1259-1262). Beowulf compares Grendel’s mother to the devil, which is a Christian concept. This shows that Beowulf is familiar with Christianity.
Beowulf also has a funeral feast after he is killed by the dragon. At this feast, a Christian priest blesses Beowulf’s body and says a prayer over him. “The good priest sang a Christian song over Beowulf’s body, as he had promised, and then they laid the great warrior out on his ship, surrounded by treasures.” (ll. 3182-3185). This passage shows that Beowulf was familiar with Christianity and that it played a part in his life.
Despite the evidence of Christianity in Beowulf, there is also evidence of Paganism. One example of this is when Beowulf goes to fight Grendel’s mother. He wears a belt that was given to him by Wealhtheow, Hrothgar’s wife. “She took from her neck a costly necklace and handed it to Beowulf, telling him that it would bring good luck in the coming battle.” (ll. 1249-1250). This passage shows that Beowulf believed in the power of pagan charms and symbols.
The epic poem Beowulf contains several examples of superhuman personifications. Beowulf is a superhero in the poem. Beowulf assumes responsibility for saving the Danes from Grendel. In his battle with Grendel, Beowulf refuses to use weapons, relying on his tremendous strength instead. When fighting with Grendel’s mother, Beowulf’s strength takes over and he wrestles with him until he is able to wrench one of the monster’s arms out of its socket. The ability to perform superhuman deeds also appears during the fight with Grendel’s mother
Beowulf is able to swim to her underwater lair, and then kill her with his bare hands. The pagan elements are also evident in Beowulf’s death. Beowulf is killed by a dragon, and it appears that the dragon is a symbol of paganism. The dragon represents the old religion that was being replaced by Christianity. The fact that Beowulf is killed by a dragon reinforces the idea that Beowulf is a symbol of the old religion.
The Christian elements in Beowulf are most evident in the characters’ faith and their reliance on God. Beowulf and the other characters in the poem often pray to God for help. For example, after Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother, he gives a prayer of thanksgiving: “Then Beowulf made his boast, / thanking God for his victory: / ‘Now I have paid Grendel back / for all the harm he did us – / killed him handily, avenging my comrades! / So heaven help me, this was my last battle!’” (lines 2287-2292).
The Christian elements are also evident in Beowulf’s funeral. Beowulf is given a Christian burial, and a monk delivers a eulogy for him. Beowulf’s body is cremated, and his ashes are placed in a tomb. The Christian elements of Beowulf’s funeral contrast with the pagan elements of Beowulf’s death.
It is clear that Beowulf contains both pagan and Christian elements. However, it is difficult to say which element is more dominant. It seems that the Christian elements are more prevalent in the poem, but the pagan elements are also significant. In the end, Beowulf is a mixture of both pagan and Christian elements.