Beowulf Religion Essay

1. In this epic heroic poetry, Beowulf (8th- early 11th century) the author which remains a mystery suggests that Christianity will overpower or transition the early medieval Scandinavia which is pagan into Christianity due to the fact that Beowulf being the people’s hero and main hope references God more than once which shows the introduction of Christianity context. The author specifically references the Christian story of Cain and Abel which shows the slow but growing introduction of Christianity to the pagan early medieval Scandinavia. The author purposely ties/connects the main hero, Beowulf, with early references of Christianity in order to show that although Beowulf is the narrator and is not pagan, his trust in god allowed him to protect
those who were pagan which implies that Christianity overpowers/overlooks paganism in this situation. The author’s intended audience appears to be the early medieval Scandinavia who are pagan because the author incorporates some Christian references as to introduce and perhaps persuade this religion as another option to those who are pagan.

2. -Evaluative: If Beowulf was so selfless and humble in the beginning when he offered his genuine help to Hrothgar for nothing in return why is it that it was those same characteristics that contributed to his death in the end?
- Factual: What was Grendel’s connection to the Christian story of Cain and Abel?
- Interpretive: Is it possible that since Beowulf had a well-known ancestry or lineage that he felt pressured to live up to the name of his ancestry by showing people what he had to offer and was that the reasoning behind him even offering his help to Hrothgar?

3. “The Almighty Judge of good deeds and bad, the Lord god, Head of the Heavens and High King of the World, was unknown to them. Oh, cursed is he who in time of trouble has to thrust his soul in the fire’s embrace, forfeiting help; he has nowhere to turn. But blessed is he who after death can approach the Lord and find friendship in the Father’s embrace.” (pg. 31, 180-188)

The story of Beowulf is told in late medieval Anglo-Saxon Britain, which is Christianized, but it is about the early medieval Scandinavia, which is pagan.
Beowulf is the narrator and has more of a Christian perspective which is why paganism to him is a confusing topic or simply put strange territory. Heathen gods were thought to be devils so in Beowulf’s point of view the pagan people of the early medieval Scandinavia were literally vowing offerings, swearing oaths to, asking devils for aid which he saw as a curse due to the fact that they were seeking the help from devils rather than god himself. Beowulf does not understand paganism and how those who are pagan can simply live with the fact that after death they will not be able to approach the Lord and find friendship in the Father’s embrace as he and those who are Christian will be able to do
so. 4.
I feel that Beowulf was genuinely offering his help to Hrothgar in the beginning because he did not like the injustice and violence that Grendel was inflicting upon the victims of the West-Danes. Beowulf sought to aid Hrothgar in any way that he could to stop the cycle of destruction caused by Grendel but once he successfully defeated (killed) Grendel a sense of immense pride began to manifest in Beowulf causing his motives and intentions to derail. This immense sense of pride caused him to feel immortal and superior which was ironically the reason that he ended up dying. All the attention that Beowulf received after defeating Grendel got to his head and paved the way to his
death.

Grendel’s connection to the Christian story of Cain and Abel is simple. Grendel was a demon who was dealing a lot of time in misery among the banished monsters of Cain’s clan. Cain killed his brother Abel in the Christian story and because of that God expelled him and also cursed him hence his clan consisting of banished monsters.