Religion In Beowulf

The great poem of Beowulf, written in southern Sweden in the eighth century, depicted erection of a hero and his ultimate hades. The culture of the Anglo Saxons during the fifth-seventh century was undoubtedly barbaric. We see evidence of pagan influences by practices such as cremation and references to mythical old stone gods. However, the transition in the traditional Anglo Saxon customs and beliefs toward a more prominent Christian influence in society, this was characterized by civilization and Christianity. This transition period following the Roman invasion and assimilation of religion, occurring sometime in the eighth century. 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.

For example, Beowulf praised to god for his great powers. It could be logically assumed this is why we see the mythical demons in Beowulf depicted as the direct span of evil and the devil. Grendel is always described as evil “from the wicked lineage of Cain; who had “made his home in hell”(Beowulf 18). The immediate biblical allusion is clear, Beowulf is an orphan who never married or had children, similar to Jesus. While Jesus possessed holy powers to perform miracles; Beowulf also possesses an extreme strength that he had used for the benefit of