It depicts an ancient culture through a hero narrative and includes numerous mentions of pagan practices performed by the characters in the poem. By adopting these traditional pagan images, but using them in a christian context, the poet tries to negotiate between the two religious perspectives. Beowulfs battle with nine seamonsters in his youth, reference both fate, or wyrd, and the christian name of god, as being responsible for assisting him. One such an example would be, beowulf, the epic long poem whose title character displays heroism and generosity. Synthesis of christianity and paganism in beowulf literature essay. Here we see that christian views are laid on the old pagan beliefs. The unknown poet of beowulf wrote about the geats and the danes, germanic tribes who lived in prechristian times on the continent. One of the essential concerns of this epic poem is whether or not it is of pagan or christian origin, or whether it has pagan or christian influences. Comitatus is an agreement of loyalty and protection that men have with their lord.
But the only surviving manuscript of beowulf was written in the 11th century by christian scribes, who either inserted the christian overtones to the story, or were working from a manuscript set down. Beowulf essay pagan christianity or christian influences, ranging from paganism and interwove with grendel particularly interesting. Christian references and influences pervade the old english epic poem beowulf, perhaps in part because the poem was probably transcribed by an early english christian monk. But the only surviving manuscript of beowulf was written in the 11th century by christian scribes. Beowulf, christian and pagan influences in beowulf. Beowulf is an epic poem written in the medieval period.
Christians believe in gods will and that he has a plan for everyone and people can choose to follow him and live by him. The beowulf that we read today is therefore probably quite unlike the beowulf with which the first anglosaxon audiences were familiar. She also says, however, there is a strong christian influence as well because grendel is a descendant of cain and is therefore rejected by god and must live in suffering. Pagan or christian the epic poem beowulf is a tale of a warriorturnedhero, namely beowulf, and the events that lead to his death. It is one of the most important works of old english literature. Although both pagan and christian influences are included, the christian value system is illustrated as the desired way of life. In these ways the people can still hold on to their pagan belief in fate while being a christian. At the crossroads of paganism and christianity, the characters in beowulf and the anglosaxon people alike faced the essential blending of two religious lifestyles in overall lifeaffecting scenarios into one semicoherent religious viewpoint.
Southern europe society and literature until christianity slowly drove out paganism. Which of these excerpts from beowulf evidences both pagan and. The epic poem beowulf is a tale of a warrior, named beowulf, and the events that lead to his death. Beowulf confronts the dragon who spits fire with such an intense heat that it melts beowulfs shield to his armor 7984. Pagan and christian elements in beowulf essay 2169 words.
Within this context there is a continuous theme of good versus evil. In beowulf, the novel, the ideals of christianity and the pagan beliefs of the anglosaxon decedents combine together and both are seen in each character. Aug 21, 2015 professor awesome talks about the enormously complex issue of the date of beowulf and what that tells us about christian and pagan elements in the poem. In beowulf, although the people still follow some of the old traditions, they find that praying to pagan gods no longer works and are left bereft, and within days beowulf is arriving on their. Breanne adams and amy bell second example wyrd is a concept in anglosaxon culture roughly corresponding to fate or personal destiny. How many workers and price i need to build a house with a living room and openspace kitchen and an atick with 3 rooms terace and balcony. Beowulf, a pagan or christian poem prose, riddles, poetry, and proverbs can all be found in old english literature, as well as a mixture of christian and pagan traditions and influences. Many would think that the hero, beowulf, would show the christian half of the poem, but i believe that he shows more pagan influences in order to succeed against grendel. These elements, that have been so uniquely combined in the poem, define the heroic warrior, beowulf, and the evil menace, grendels mother. Pagan vs christian influences in beowulf, an essay fiction. Which of these excerpts from beowulf evidences both pagan. Beowulf beowulf was written in england sometime between the 8th and 11th centuries ce. Beowulf s battle with nine seamonsters in his youth, reference both fate, or wyrd, and the christian name of god, as being responsible for assisting him.
Still, there are lots of major plot turns that accurately reflect the christian beliefs about fighting the evil. Examples of pagan and christian traditions are presented all throughout literature. There are many influences of both pagan views and christian views in the character of beowulf. Doc beowulf, a blend of christian and pagan elements adolfo.
Cowie and john selwyn gummer, the christian calendar, 1974, p. Mar 10, 2010 christian influence on beowulf march 10, 2010. However, we see the pagan ideal also, when we see the idea of revenge and battle. In augustines city of god, he attacks pagan culture and its pantheon of gods. Because of its complicated origin, beowulf has elements of both pagan germanic culture and christianity. As a result, grendels character helps further the christian influence on the book as well as paint pain beowulf as a magnificent hero.
Grendel and his mother are seen as monsters, but with human qualities, which is a pagan view. I remember it had many stories in this book along with beowulf and grendale the cover of the book was a arid back with the grendale monster on it. At the time of its creation, beowulf was influenced by pagan rituals, deities and ideas, but by passing down the epic narrative word of mouth, an age of christianity will have had a residual effect on the story. Cains clan, referring to the story of the first murder from the book of genesis. Yet it is the the christian and pagan version of comitatus that lead beowulf to avenge ausheres death. The pagan concepts and christianity in beowulf long read medium. The characters in beowulf seek guidance and safety from god in their endeavors as he is the one they thank for favors and request bequeathed tietjen 164. Mace lit 506 11 march 2018 christian and pagan elements in beowulf in many. These battles fought with fabled monsters, such as grendel and the dragon, are common examples of pagan influences in epic adventures as well as symbolic references to the challenges we must confront in life. Beowulf is an epic poem featuring a conflict between pagan and christian beliefs. The plot of it is, though, similar to lots of the other sagas of different nations.
Throughout the story of beowulf, one finds many elements of christian. Beowulf christian or pagan essay have your essay done by. This time period provides us with an idea for the mixture of christian and pagan elements because of an english society that was in the process of converting from paganism to christianity. Paper format number of pages number of slides academic level type of work type of paper sources needed sources mla 2double spaced 0 undergraduate writing from scratch essay not needed 0 paper details subject. Professor awesome talks about the enormously complex issue of the date of beowulf and what that tells us about christian and pagan elements in the poem. Many of the influences deal with what it going on in the world, when the piece is written. The only existing manuscript of beowulf is dated about early 11th century. Meredith has studied literature and literary analysis, holding a masters degree in. Beowulf is a christian hero who is endowed with superhuman strengths representative of paganism. Which of these excerpts from beowulf evidences both. The european epic, beowulf, was written sometime in the eighth century in england.
What are two christian influences or references in. On the other hand, a man who lived in anglosaxon england composed the poem. The last time the grendel enters heorot he is wearing gods anger 36. But the only surviving manuscript of beowulf was written in the 11th century by christian scribes, who either inserted the christian overtones to the. Bensons the process of moderation, from fear old english epic poem. I personally could care less of the subject or the grade i got on it and wrote it for a class.
In augustines city of god, he attacks pagan culture and its pantheon of gods, blaming them for the decadence of society. The pagan elements in the epic poem beowulf are evident in the characters superhuman personifications. Pagan burial rites in the epic of beowulf scores of essays are written about the christian influence on the beowulf poet. The date of composition is a matter of contention among scholars. One of the main concerns of the epic poem was whether or not it is of pagan or christian origin, or whether it has pagan or christian influences. The pagan concept of fate was called wyrd, and was a persistent part of later anglosaxon christian poetry, which much like beowulf, combined the two opposing ideas. Beowulf takes it upon himself to save the danes from grendel.
Pagan and christian elements in beowulf essay 2169 words cram. Jun 20, 2019 through its characters, beowulf shows christian faith and divine influences within the pagan germanic lifeforce turning the poem into a predominantly christian narrative. The element of religious tension is quite common in christian anglosaxon writings the dream of the rood, for example, but the combination of a pagan story with a christian narrator is fairly unusual. Hrothgars throne being protected by god is another christian element along with god sending beowulf to watch over herot as a savior. Lines 12321496 the monster wrenched and wrestled with him but beowulf was mindful of his mighty strength, the wondrous gifts god had showered on him. Pagan and christian rituals in beowulf 922 words 123. The druids and other pagan leaders knew, as we do today, that the days always get longer as the calendar progresses through winter toward spring regardless of their seasonal ritualsbut still they persisted in them l.
Most notable beowulf scholars such as klber, robinson and whitelock do not fail to address the matter. The fact that christianity and paganism are so closely intertwined in the poem is the reason beowulf has both christian and pagan influences. Nov 04, 2017 paper format number of pages number of slides academic level type of work type of paper sources needed sources mla 2double spaced 0 undergraduate writing from scratch essay not needed 0 paper details subject. Christian morals beowulf essay manuscript has a careful scrutiny of one finds many pagan influences. To further understand the christian and pagan elements that exist in beowulf, we. Read this literature essay and over 89,000 other research documents. In some places the differences between pagan and christian faiths were nearly nonexistent. Augustine helped to turn man away from this earthly arrogance and the desire for material wealth and success.
Paganism, christianity, and the date of beowulf youtube. These events and the overall story of beowulf include a mixture of norse pagan and medieval christian influences, with the beowulf poet often going to great lengths to attribute beowulfs motives. Throughout the story there are many elements of christian teachings. In the epic poem, beowulf, the ideals of christianity dominate over those of paganism through the shift of pagan values to praises of god, the biblical allusions, and the role beowulf plays as a christlike figure, proving the authors bias and demonstrating the nature of the anglosaxon time period. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
I wrote this my senior year in high school, and had much apathy toward the writing and development of this paper. Semester exam terms in this set 45 which of these excerpts from beowulf evidences both pagan and christian influences. The story of beowulf probably originated as an oral tradition sometime in the 7th century. Although the story of beowulf is filled with references to religion and faith. Pagan and christian rituals in beowulf 922 words 123 help me. Christian and pagan symbols in beowulf the epic poem of beowulf inspired dozens of generations of writers to rethink it and show the story of the praised hero from the new side. The theme of christianity and paganism in beowulf from litcharts. Oct 06, 20 beowulf has both pagan and christian influences. There profanation of our joysto tell the laity of our love as used here, in this line from john donnes a valediction. Jan 16, 2016 how many workers and price i need to build a house with a living room and openspace kitchen and an atick with 3 rooms terace and balcony. Nov, 2014 in some places the differences between pagan and christian faiths were nearly nonexistent. New names replaced those of the ancient gods, but life remained much as it had before. But because of the time that poet makes grendel into a christian character. Pdf christian and pagan elements in beowulf scott rolph.
Although a grecian urn and short essay the poem, eventually. Scyld, the first king mentioned in beowulf, died at the hour that was fated, but he. Despite the fact that the poem possesses pagan elements, the christian influences supersede them. It is not until grendel sneaks back into herot that the pagan influences start to turn up again. He is seen as a paganistic superhero, but also as a god to the geat people. The story of beowulf probably originated as an oral. Pagan burial rites in the epic of beowulf 1715 words 7 pages. Order your own unique sample on christian and pagan symbols.
Christian values, we learn, were highly honored and followed during the anglosaxon era. Throughout the story, beowulf gives plenty of examples to show this pagan or evil side of him like his. It is the anglosaxon pagan belief that once a name is cursed, it is cursed forever. Beowulf, the main personality in the poem, shares this combination but has a distinct lean towards the christian side. The excerpts above describes hrothgar as a glorious king who is also lord over the kingdoms great hall heorot which makes him a pagan god that is protected by god. These events and the overall story of beowulf include a mixture of norse pagan and medieval christian influences, with the beowulf poet often going to great lengths to attribute beowulf s motives. Christian vs pagan influence term paper 1665 words 7 pages. Oct 19, 2011 beowulf has both pagan and christian influences. May 23, 2014 the fact that christianity and paganism are so closely intertwined in the poem is the reason beowulf has both christian and pagan influences. Christian and pagan symbols in beowulf a research guide. Beowulfs poet did use influences of christianity to shape and mold his story to a great degree, and the poet did it well. Through its characters, beowulf shows christian faith and divine influences within the pagan germanic lifeforce turning the poem into a predominantly christian narrative.
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