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Critical appreciation of beowulf
Critical appreciation of beowulf
Beowulf as a reflection of the anglo saxon culture and values
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As we delve into the background of Beowulf, we discover something a little peculiar. Most stories have a basis in one religion or another, giving the story a moral base, which makes Beowulf rather unusual. Uniquely, in Beowulf, we see a religious affiliation with not only Paganism but in Christianity as well. All of these elements, along with lovable characters, is probably why Beowulf is considered an undying classic. The story of Beowulf was formed in a time where Paganism was the dominant religion, and the story of Beowulf
While the Anglo-Saxon culture in “Beowulf” include display of strength, valor, honor and boastfulness of the early era is seen in today’s modern society. Since it originated in oral tradition, the epic Beowulf has no known author. It does, however, serve as a representation of the Anglo-Saxon culture it originates from. As a work of art, it also serves its purpose of moral instruction, today serving as a demonstration of what values were important to the Anglo-Saxon people. Especially seen through the characters of Beowulf and Wiglaf, the poem Beowulf illustrates three important morals of its time:
We will explore their different religion settings of the time, and their thoughts on the afterlife. Beowulf was written in Old English based on the time period of around 500 A.D. This is a time when Christianity is emerging and growing without religious struggle. Even with
Beyond Beowulf’s role in history and its role in literature, it also plays a role in church history, as a Christian text. Beowulf is often seen as a Christian character who holds his moral and virtues above all else. The growth of the church in Anglo-Saxon England greatly influenced Beowulf; in fact, Beowulf himself is a figure of Christ in this epic poem. The conversion of Anglo-Saxon England to Christianity stands out in history.
Beowulf shows in many ways how he is the embodiment of the Anglo-Saxon culture but
Beowulf is a story that has a lot of interesting facts and history behind the story than what it tells you in the poem. The story of Beowulf began to spread in this world before it was even written on paper. People may believe that the story that they read now is not the same story as it was once told because of this reason. For this reason, story of Beowulf is commonly caught in confusion on whether it is Christian or Pagan based. Even if the poem is based on one religion or the other, the reader can still have enjoy the poem due to its action packed battles.
The poem Beowulf has been around for years. The story has been around since 700 A.D. It has been passed down since it has been written. The story was written in Scandinvia around the Anglo- Saxon era time period. In Anglo Saxon era, the people looked up to their king to be powerful, brave and about action. This is much like how the poet wanted us to see Beowulf.
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.
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.
When people think about what being a “hero” is, thoughts such as selflessness, strength, courage, or even superpowers come to mind. Modern-day superheroes include Spider-Man, Thor, and Captain America while every-day heroes include doctors, firefighters, and police officers. However, the hero that was known to all mankind around the years 500 to 1100 was Beowulf. The fantastic tales of Beowulf were passed along by word of mouth as stories of his fierce encounters with monsters, heroic victories in battle, and glorious spoils of treasure spread across sixth-century Scandinavia. In the eleventh century, when the epic was finally written down, religious monks slowly faded away prominent Anglo-Saxon culture and glory of paganism into Christianity throughout the course of the plot.
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.
Beowulf is one of the greatest poems that exhibit the characteristics of conversion in a pagan society. There are beginnings of change, evident in the poem, from a pagan history to an acceptance of a new Christian meaning. This history of a pagan hero was infused with Christian symbols and morals to help smooth the conversion for pagans. When studying Beowulf, it is important to uncover the meanings and symbols of what Grendel and his mother represent in a Christian society with reference to the pagan society, as well as, look at the final fight between the dragon and Beowulf and Beowulf’s pride. History is a major part of understanding Christian symbols apparent in Beowulf and understanding his actions in a pagan society.
Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon manuscript, written around the time of 7th to 10th century and was preserved in a codex until its subsequent discovery in the 19th century. Beowulf’s author to this date is unknown. This particular text belongs to the Northern Heroic Tradition, highlighting traditional German heroic values, such as the blood price. While it does have pagan rituals and ideologies, it is not a highly Christian text. Beowulf is believed to have been orally transmitted.
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.
Even though Beowulf was written by the Danish people, it shows the early foundations of English literature, and how the Danish people brought Danish culture into British literature. Beowulf’s setting is in the Danish sea were Beowulf the son of the King of Denmark is a powerful warrior who has the traits and characteristics of a bear and a wolf. The novel describes the setting as “The sea, would point the prow straight to that distant Danish shore” (Beowulf line 44). The people’s distant view of the shore shows how they hope for fate to come to them, and fate is the values of the people. A quote from the story shows that fate is the values of the people “Life ruled by fate” (Beowulf line 40).
