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Classical Allusions In Beowulf

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Many people have had to read Beowulf as part of their high school literature curriculum, but why is this ancient epic still taught in this day and age? The epic, in itself, almost seems to be a historic reflection, not by means of its content but the way civilizations are portrayed. The facets that can be identified within Beowulf were prevalent in the Anglo-Saxon time period and can also, to a certain extent, be representatives of today’s society. Learning and recognizing these conventional and distinctive traits within the epic allows for a deeper understanding of previous lifestyles. While Beowulf demonstrates a variety of important characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon time period, classical allusions to religion, fame, and comitatus are the …show more content…

It is clear that religion played a huge role in the Anglo-Saxon culture through the way God is described to have intervened in the lives of men and influenced their fate. The epic states: “But God’s dread loom was woven with defeat for the monster, good fortune for the Geats; help against Grendel was with them, and through the might of a single man they would win.” (Beowulf 696-699). This depicts God as good-natured and would eventually assist those suffering by His ultimate control of fate. Hrothgar says, “Surely the Lord Almighty could stop his madness, smother his lust!” (Beowulf 478-480). The Anglo-Saxons, as a whole, depended on God for their well-being and protection. This dependency shows the significance God held within their everyday lives and how they had resorted to praying and religious rituals to attain peace. In addition, the epic mentions the relations of Grendel to Cain, the brother and murderer of Abel (Beowulf 104-108). This portrays a direct biblical reference within the story itself and provides background knowledge of their belief system. Religion is an extremely prominent characteristic of the epic, Beowulf, and provides insight to the religious beliefs of the Anglo-Saxon time

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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.

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Grendel is disturbed by the Danes enjoyment of life and happiness; for revenge he ruins their enjoyment and happiness. Grendel is a descendant of Cain, “he was spawned in that slime, conceived…monster” who was a “ murderous creature banished by God”(19-22). He finds harassing and killing innocent people entertaining. Beowulf comes and vanishes Grendel and stops him from continuing his evil acts. On the other hand, Beowulf and the Danes assume “Grendel`s elimination” is the last monster they will encounter, but “believing that [the] evil has been eradicated” the unexpected happens, “Grendel’s mother appear[s]”(Kardaun 1).

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Writers of every era and every culture have always been influenced by their surroundings, whether that be the landscape itself or the deeply held beliefs of the people living there. These elements come across in their writings, one of the most commonly seen belief or value that can be found in Early British Literature is Christianity. While most of Britain was once occupied by pagans, after the conversion to Christianity these Christian themes can be found penetrating through every era of literature. The Old English epic poem, Beowulf, draws on Christianity to rationalize some of its supernatural elements, turning the pre-conversion myth into a lesson on faith. The Middle English romance, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, uses mysticism and

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Thesis: The role of the Anglo-Saxon Hero in Beowulf represents and defines the values of strength, intelligence, selfness, and courage. Beowulf himself models the culture of the Anglo-Saxon hero, as he is willing to face any odds, and fight to the death for their glory and people I. Strength and physical appearance A. Strength is clearly an important characteristic of heroes in Anglo-Saxon culture and heroic code. 1. The beginning of the story Beowulf is described as having the strength of "thirty men" in just one of his arms. 2.

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Many religious references are made throughout Beowulf. God is referred to as "Eternal Lord", "the Almighty", and "Almighty Judge. " The story of Cain is hugely referenced throughout Beowulf. Pagan practices within the text include the burning of Beowulf’s body after he died along with surrounding his body with luxurious treasures. The characters refer to God as their one and only savior.

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Critically assess the extent of Christian and Latinate influence on Beowulf. When first reading Beowulf it would appear that the Christian references within it superimpose onto the essentially pagan view that makes a huge body of the poem. Therefore, within this assignment, there will be investigations of inconsistencies. Sources clearly show that Beowulf was written by Germanic pagans that had been debauched by some leftist ecclesiastic wordsmith , to the insistence that the author designedly created the Christian allegory along the lines of Book 1 of The Faerie Queen. It is know that Germanic traditions and techniques were used by Anglo-Saxons to frame Christian literature, just as it was with the poet of Beowulf.

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During the story of Beowulf, the most prevalent theme is the cultural norms reflected

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Barbora Štěpánková Mgr. Filip Krajník, Ph.D. AJL14000 English Literature of the Middle Ages 31 May 2023 Christian Beowulf and the Battle of Pagan and Abrahamic Religions in Beowulf Beowulf is an Old English epic poem, written approximately one-thousand years AD. This indicates that the document was written when there was Christian influence and in Anglo-Saxon territories. Nevertheless, it would be expected that pagan religions have stronger appearance within the poem since it follows the story of “the Spear-Danes” (Heaney, line 1) and is set in pagan Scandinavia.

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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.

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Ideals and tradition are what usually dictate or lead citizens’ lives in a society, but sometimes some societies create too high or extreme standards that must be followed in order to be considered “successful”. This is the case in Beowulf, an epic poem written somewhere around mid-seventh and end of tenth century, that had been passed down for generations and has since been translated from Anglo-Saxon to modern English by Seamus Heaney. Throughout the poem, Beowulf, the epic hero, and other warriors are expected to abide by society’s Christian and pagan beliefs and how they deal with these beliefs dictates how worthy they are. Beowulf is the blending of Christian traditions with a folk story that extols virtues of loyalty, courage, and faith

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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.

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The epic poem “Beowulf”, translated by Burton Raffel, focuses on a hero by the name of Beowulf who goes on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar and his people from an egregious monster by the name of Grendel. This Anglo-Saxon tale gives insight into the values and beliefs of the people from whom the story originated. Their war-centered ideology and views on loyalty and courage were the principles that the Anglo-Saxon culture was founded upon. While warfare was a focal point in their lifestyle, it was far from a savage, barbaric state of fighting. Honor and prestige were bestowed upon those who died during battle and selflessness for fellow warriors was a fundamental belief.

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Though it is fiction, readers can comprehend Anglo-Saxon thoughts and their concepts of heroism, life and death. Anglo-Saxon culture valued strength, honor, courage, loyalty, and fearlessness. Beowulf was a hero because he was strong, loyal, brave, honorable, and fearless. He wanted to be remembered beyond the years of his life. These values in heroes has not disappeared like its culture.

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