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Examples Of Paganism In Beowulf

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Beowulf Believes In Christianity Christianity is a religion that is based upon the teachings of Jesus Christ; which started about 2000 years ago in Judea, now known as Israel. What is known as Pagan Culture began about 200 years before Christian Culture. Paganism is known as a pre-Christian religion, but unlike Christianity, Paganism is a polytheistic, nature-worshipping religion. In the epic poem “Beowulf”, the Christian culture is more influential because it references to the bible, God as the only God, and his righteousness to be a hero. Beowulf is influenced by Christian culture because it makes references to the bible. In the poem, Grendel is being compared to Cain, someone whose in the Bible who was considered to be evil because of the actions he completed. In (lines 20-23) “In The Wrath of Grendel” it says “Conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever for the crime of Abel’s death.” The connection between the story and the bible is that both Grendel and Cain do not care about the actions they commit, because they are selfish and to prideful, so they only …show more content…

This shows how humble Beowulf was to his followers, he was willing to risk his life so the people may be saved and free of worry. Sanctification is the process where a Christian becomes more like God. In “What Is Christianity” it says, “His main purpose was to be the ultimate sacrifice…” These two excerpts relate to each other because it shows how Beowulf wanted to be more like Jesus Christ by showing his followers that he was willing to give his life up for them. “Chose the mightiest me he could find, the bravest and best of the Geats…” Lines (120-121). This shows how he was Christ like because he choose his people just as Jesus had chosen his disciples. (Luke

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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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Life in 999 was mainly based on pagan beliefs and how people had a sense of doom. Then Christianity was introduced to the Anglo-Saxon society. This new found religion gave this society a sense of hope for the life after death but they were still clinging on to some pagan beliefs during the transition. In the epic poem of Beowulf, by an unknown author the biblical allusions are mixed with pagan beliefs to illustrate the Anglo-Saxon society and are presented through its characters. Christianity was still in a transitional stage and Beowulf illustrated certain Christian values. "

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To most, Beowulf was a hero and was worshiped for his defeats. These similarities are evident just as the novel opens up, and all throughout the story as well. One particular line stuck out to me while comparing Beowulf to Jesus, “ Hell’s captive caught in the arms of him who of all men on Earth was the strongest (Cantos11, 225-230)”. That line in Beowulf is a perfect example of how highly the people of Geatland view Beowulf, and how Beowulf can be compared to Jesus. Here, the author is describing Beowulf as the strongest man on Earth, something that we Christians believe Jesus is and always has been.

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1448 Words | 6 Pages

From Beowulf religion compared from real life, religion there is somewhat a comparison. It has some differences, but then some things in common as well. Religion is a part of the poem, movie, and as well real life. Beowulf is one of the types that don’t care about faith or anything having to deal with Christianity. He thinks that he is fine the way he is and thinks that baptism won 't give him protection.

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405 Words | 2 Pages

Beowulf is an example of an epic poem written in Middle English during the Anglo-Saxon period. Beowulf was speculatively transcribed by two Christian monks who are thought to have added Christian elements into the original pagan tale. The basis of Beowulf is a heroic character goes and extricates a kingdom plagued by an evil creature. The significance of Beowulf is that the tale demonstrates medieval warrior culture from Europe. Beowulf has very apparent Christian influences that are very noticeable with even in the first few pages of the poem.

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660 Words | 3 Pages

Life is full of options. You could live in a world of fate or a world of hope for an after-life, live a culture that believes in fighting for power or honoring the Bible or be a part of a time period stuck between the Pagan values lived for centuries before or the Christian values introduced in time. Beowulf, anonymously written in the seventeenth century during the oral tradition, is an Old English poem about the courageous and bold epic hero overcome with all those choices. The story about Beowulf consists of the hero himself defeating those of the supernatural decent in a series of three battles, while also contrasting Pagan and Christian religious values in his daily life. The tale of Beowulf fighting for his fate, but at the same time thanking God for the protection in battle, generated a need for clarification as to which one was more actively adhered to.

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1466 Words | 6 Pages

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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158 Words | 1 Pages

The Anglo-Saxon society was essentially pagan. Christianity is the reason why all throughout Anglo-Saxon literature it could be observed that the religious aspect is present, alluding to Christianity but to pagan beliefs as well. As described above, the ultimate goal of Paganism is to “win fame before death.” Having wealth and fame assures that one’s afterlife will be glorious. As discussed in class, Pagan funerals consisted of sending people into the unknown without any direction.

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173 Words | 1 Pages

All types of stories reveal certain aspects of the culture that it is associated with. These stories display certain values and beliefs a specific culture has shown through the characters, just as it happened with Beowulf. The poem had combined Christian and Pagan ideals to reflect on the time and place in which it was written, though that doesn’t necessarily mean the culture of the pagans was completely forgotten. Beowulf was written sometime between the 8th and 10th centuries in modern day England. At this time, the dominant religion was Paganism, but their belief system was undergoing great transformations due to the influence of Christianity.

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Many scholars who have read and studied Beowulf claim it to be a Christian allegory. Beowulf, the hero of the story, comes to be the sole savior to King Hrothgar just as Jesus came to save his people from sin. Rather than having to defeat sin, Beowulf is challenged to defeat Grendel, a monster, who terrorizes Hrothgar’s people. Beowulf comes out of the duel with Grendel victorious, just as Jesus did. Sadly, this joy was short-lived for Grendel’s mother soon came for revenge making Beowulf’s victory temporary.

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When the Poem is published, the author is undoubted Christian and addressing a Christian audience. In addition, The monks were among the only few who would have access to the literary knowledge of old English require to write this poem. The symbolism and biblical allusion presented in Beowulf represents the of the transition from a paganistic society toward a society based on Christianity.

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841 Words | 4 Pages

Christ worked for the honor of God and kept himself away from the earthly fame and praise. Beowulf rather pursues those earthly glories that makes him feel

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988 Words | 4 Pages

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 critical allegory of the character is the scene of the dragon when Beowulf sensed death is approaching whereas Christ sensed betrayal of someone close to him (L.2319-2420). Additionally, the poet applies a similar allegory from the appearance of Wiglaf representing the warrior Beowulf as “The Shepherd of our land, a man unequalled in the quest for glory” (L.2644-2645). As Beowulf was referenced a heroic warrior from the land of the Geats, whereas Christ was referenced as the shepherd and humanity gathered together as the sheep’s from the book of Hebrews in, “Our lord Jesus from the dead, that great shepherd of the sheep” (Heb. 13:20). Scholar Laurence Mazzeno elaborates the links between Beowulf and Christ as both figures aware for one mission to be held, “accountable for responsibilities and act with love toward their fellow men and women”

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542 Words | 3 Pages

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.

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