Christianity and Paganism in Beowulf Essay

The literature of a period is often regarded as the purest manifestation of the accessible, political, and cultural atmosphere of a particular era. At a crossroads, often than not, these works narrate the development of a culture assail by new ideas and influences. Considered as the earliest extant metrical composition in a modern European language, the Germanic epic entitled Beowulf is a clear example of how two warring cultural ideologies are melded unitedly to create a populations own unique social identity.Peppered with cultural images of magic and monsters, one would almost immediately lift out that the rime was created as an account of heroism in the likes of Greek myths and epics, but it is weak to acknowledge that the over-arching motive that pushes the narrative is the relationship of the great deal with their new perfection, the higher(prenominal) Being proclaimed by the burgeoning Christian theology. Taking this into account, one could intimately characterize B eowulf as the product of folk Christianitythe reconciliation of the new fix religion of Christianity and traditional hedonist religion, a melding that suited the culture of the Anglo-Saxon people.The sense of paganism in Beowulf ordure be easily attributed to the prolific existence of preternatural monsters and supernatural events in the text. Revolving around the three monsters portrayed in the poemthe man-killing Gr discontinueel, the vengeful witch of the marsh that is his mother, and the dragon that would be the catalyst to the endthese characters or images portray a Scandinavia that was overwhelmed by a wide run of mythological creatures that wreck havoc in the small communities, a Scandinavia of pagan lore.But amidst this, a hero called Beowulf would appear from the distance, a Christian rescuer of mankind, to expunge the lands of these vicious beasts. From this mere premise we immediately assume the tension that exists between the two different ideologies Beowulf exempl ifies the new order of Norse warriors, those that follow a new God but still rest by their traditional beliefs, while the monsters symbolize the mayhem and destruction of paganism. such dynamic was taken advantage of by an anonymous medieval monk who had put the story of Beowulf on paper, showing the power of Christianity over paganism. An former example of a pagan monstrosity and Christian heroism found in the text is Beowulfs battle with Grendel. The monster had been terrorizing the lands of Hrothgar, and news of this had library paste doneout the land. It is interesting to note that Grendel has been described as Conceived by a pair of those monsters born/ Of Cain, murderous creatures/ Banished by God, punished forever for the wickedness of Abels death (line 105-108). This portrayal of the Christianitys first murder pushes go on the idea that those of the supernatural and pagan element are, as Grendel is shown, banished by God. Beowulf arrives at Hrothgars land, a warrior o f epic capacity, and lends his service albeit for the price of wealth and fame. He destroys this monster with no weapon at hand, and gains the respect of the peopleclearly showing the power of Christianity over paganism. Another aspect of Christianity that is munificently addressed throughout the text is the concept of Christian mountain.When our heroes talk of God, they do so in acknowledgement of His all-encompassing power and dominion. Lines such as twas the judgment of God, Blessed God, and the mercy of God can be read throughout the text and shows how these characters entrust their life and fate to their newly found religion. Overall, Beowulf should be considered not as a pagan text but rather a Christian one because Christian values compose the backbone of the prose. Beowulf is essentially an insight into the history of a people who have come to comfortably adapt to new ideas and beliefs through changing times.