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Christianity In Beowulf

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Beowulf holds onto two different religions, Paganism and Christianity since it was written in the time when Rome had control over Britain developing roads and public baths but most importantly, Christianity. Later on Rome withdrew itself from Britain because it was too weak to even sustain itself which led Britain become England. As they were able to unify England due to the reemerge of Christianity after the invasion, they started to accept Christianity simultaneously. During 1000 CE. Monk Scribes who lived in Anglo-Saxon England made the Beowulf manuscript, inserting some Christian elements in the poem. Beowulf shows throughout the poem how he believed and worshiped one omniscient being and God’s overall almighty power. Beowulf trusts God …show more content…

He killed the monster, as God had meant him to do” (126). Beowulf once again is in need of God’s help while fighting Grendel’s mother “Our only help, again, lies with you” (126). Though Beowulf is about to be defeated he is able to stand back again because “God has sent him victory, gave judgment for truth and right, Ruler of Heavens, Once beowulf was back on his feet fighting” (130). Lastly Beowulf claims that even though he is leaving forever he is content “knowing that the Lord of all life has never watched me wash my sword in blood” therefore, his “death will be softer”(137). Beowulf culminates his journey by thanking God for all the treasure he has earned by sacrificing his life “For this, this gold, these jewels, I thank Our Father in heaven, Ruler of Earth. For all of this, that His grace has given me, allowed me to bring to my people while breath still came to my lips. I sold my life for this treasure” …show more content…

The Christian value that this poem holds is very strong and powerful. Withing Beowulf it is shown several time the faith that they had in their one personal God, Beowulf particularly, is always asking for God’s help and protection through each battle and thanks God afterwards. Beowulf is also God-fearing because towards the end of the poem he declares to be leaving happily because God saw his sword being washed in blood and lastly, he thanks God for being with him throughout his mission and for all the treasure he will be leaving for the people he bravely fought

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When it seems as though Beowulf’s life is coming to an end, he is able to pull through and decapitate Grendel’s mother. Although this seems as just another fight or obstacle that Beowulf faces, the climax actually takes place when he returns to the surface of the water. The men waiting for Beowulf were extremely worried about how he was doing underwater due to the blood surfacing the water. When Beowulf breaks the surface of the water, the men were extremely ecstatic. It seems as though Beowulf was a different man when he returned from this brawl.

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With ancient understandings and tales in the early times, Beowulf sings of times long forgotten, the times where the only tombs men sought was the battlefield, and their legacies, glory from the most extraordinary of feats. Eras filled with monsters, demons and selfless devotion towards the Glory of God. Even the flamboyant stories from the early centuries, still ring with connections to our world today, that our

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This made Grendel an outcast to the society of God worshipers. Unlike the Germanic tribes that roamed the earth above him, Grendel lived with the sole purpose of “opposing the Lord’s Will, and again and again defeated.” Meanwhile, as he was born human, the heroic character Beowulf was considered to be a descendant of the Lord. He was also a firm follower of God, always believing in His mysterious ways. Beowulf’s devotion and fate to the Lord above was especially evident when he believed that God was the one who showed him the sword made by the Giants, which he used to defeat Grendel’s mother.

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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.

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Two very important ideas in Pagan belief are Loyalty and Faith. Beowulf is very loyal to his comitatus and is also very loyal to Hrothgar. He would give his life for the safety of his brothers and would never stab them in the back. He also always had faith in himself and God. He trusted that he would be victorious over his enemies with God having his back.

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