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What Are The Christian Symbols In Beowulf

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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. Medieval …show more content…

While the second part does not reference the Old Testament specifically, it does contain a Christian moral: Pride is death of man. Hrothgar foreshadows Beowulf’s downfall by saying “Since God has granted him glory and wealth / He forgets the future, unmindful of Fate / But it comes to pass in the day appointed / His feeble body withers and fails.” (II. 1639-42). The only thing a man can be certain of is death, the rest is given to him by God, is the inclination of Christian morals. Beowulf is constantly seeking after worldly goods and Hrothgar specifically warned him that his part in the world would come to an end, like all great men. It is Beowulf’s pride that brings him to confrontation with the dragon. It is the pride symbolized by the acceptance of the single cup that forces him to battle with the dragon. His pride is also inherent in that he will allow no one to help him fight, he thinks his aging body is able to overcome the dragon because of his legacy with Grendel and his mother. Both the dragon and Beowulf refuse the counsel of God and rely on their past accomplishments and neither succeeds. Beowulf’s prosperity and title was his because God willed it so and the fact that he was so prideful was a sin in itself. Pride is also inherent in the dragon because he begins to kill Beowulf’s people in order to find the single missing

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In the last stage of Beowulf’s epic hero journey, fatalism determines his grand finale against the dragon. The warrior king’s long journey is now coming to a close and before going into battle against the dragon, Beowulf realizes that, “After many trials,/ he was destined to face the end of his days/ in this mortal world; as was the dragon,/ for all his long leasehold on the treasure” (Beowulf 2341-2344). After facing Grendel and his mother, fate has lead Beowulf to the crisis of his journey. The dragon is the final monster he must defeat in order to complete his monomyth cycle. He is a symbol of the deadly sin, greed.

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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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(Beowulf 566-567) The Kenning “the shepherd of sins” is Biblical irony as it represents the Antichrist. Once again, this reiterates the idea that Grendel is from the lineage of Cane. In “Beowulf, the Old Testament, and The Regula Fidei,” Christopher M. Cain illuminates the inherent contradictions and similarities in Beowulf and Bible scripture. Cain notices that “Wyrd is used to translate both fate and fortune.

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In the Epic Hero Poem known as “Beowulf” beginning on page 36, where the reader is introduces to a Hero by the name of Beowulf who possesses humility as well as modesty, but like many human beings does demonstrate his pride. There are many instances where the book suggest a caution against pride, ill name a few. For instance, on lines 677 he speaks of his strength and says it is “at least as greatly as Grendel”. Beowulf also announces that he will not be cutting Grendel’s life short with a slashing sword because it

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761 Words | 4 Pages

Beowulf wants to take on the dragon alone to prove his worth to his kingdom and God so that he will forever be seen as pure in the eyes of the lord. Beowulf is a great warrior and has been his whole life, but that does not necessarily mean that he is a great king. This theme of being a great warrior versus being a great king can be showed here. In order to be a great king, Beowulf believes that he has to protect his people, like any leader should. This could be achieved by having warriors fend off the beast for him but instead of this idea, he takes matters into his own hands and decides he is the only one that should fight the dragon.

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(Heaney, 262-266). Beowulf makes it clear since he descended from great warriors and Geatish kings, his responsibility to face the dragon overwhelmed all reasons to avoid conflict. To fulfill his responsibility to the Geats and maintain his family reputation, Beowulf fought his enemy despite his diminishing

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454 Words | 2 Pages

After seeing 50 years of prosperity in his kingdom, Beowulf truly has developed his self image. Soon a dragon intervenes with prosperity by wreaking havoc on nearby lands. At Age 70, Beowulf still has never been defeated and continues to look on the world as beowulf though it is his. Upon hearing about the dragon Beowulf claims “I have never known fear”(Beowulf 607) proving his stagnant personality throughout the story. Showing immense courage, he charges into battle against the dragon.

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603 Words | 3 Pages

In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, faces three “monsters” at different times in his life. The poem begins with Grendel, a monster who attacks only in the dark of night, tormenting the kingdom of Hrothgar. The last two sections of the epic detail the conquering by Beowulf of Grendel’s mother and the dragon. The battle between the monsters and Beowulf represent the theme of good versus evil in the poem, as well as the fusion of pagan and Christian ideals in the changing Germanic society. Grendel’s mother’s actions directly juxtapose the role of a woman in this time period, and the greediness of the dragon with his treasure contrasts with the virtues of what would be considered a good king.

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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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472 Words | 2 Pages

As king, Beowulf stepped up and fought the malevolent dragon in his last battle. In his last boast he uttered, “ I’ve never known fear, as a youth, I fought endless battles. I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me.” (62). Beowulf was very confident for the circumstances.

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451 Words | 2 Pages

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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235 Words | 1 Pages

The epic poem, written by an anonymous author around 500 A.D, before Christianity. Beowulf is the ideal hero and he fights to for his honor through his battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. References to Christianity exist in Beowulf, and pagan influences are noticeable. Christianity, however, emphasizes the spiritual wealth of all man-kind. Grendel is the embodiment of cyclical warfare in pagan society.

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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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805 Words | 4 Pages

Questions of Honor: Beowulf Beowulf’s honor and integrity can be questioned throughout the entirety of the epic poem, Beowulf. Whether or not his actions are inspired by his own pompous arrogance or confidence, one can argue that he is a hero nonetheless. Evidence and experience prove that Beowulf is more of a fearless hero than an excessively prideful man, and his hubris is more than justified due to the formidable duties he is able to execute. Throughout the poem, Beowulf expresses his intense strength and courage to the fearful people in the poem. His daring sense of self-assurance is backed by his victories against all three monsters, (even though he suffers a tragic death after facing the dragon, it is a defeat nonetheless).

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615 Words | 3 Pages

The Religion of Wicca originated in the early twentieth century as part of contemporary paganism. It was founded by the “father” of Wicca, Gerald Gardner. Wicca is a form of Paganism, said to have derived from pre modern Europe. Wicca was founded and based on the idea that witches are not followers of Satan, but rather followers of pre-Christians. Today there are various types of Wiccan’s religions.

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