Examples Of Paganism In Beowulf
Beowulf is one of the earliest works in the English language, which was derived from the Germanic language of the Anglo-Saxons. Beowulf is a combination of both Pagan and Christian ideologies, Paganism being the most dominate. This is shown by characters, the factors around them and their actions like Beowulf, Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.
Paganism a religion followed by people of the Anglo-Saxon culture. Paganism believes in wyrd, meaning fate, also concerned with ethics and mysticism. Pagan elements in the epic are custom of worshipping a multiplicity of gods, belief that wyrd controlled their lives superstitious, belief in monsters, dragons, magic, a hero, belief that fame was the only guarantee of immortality. Beowulf’s battle
with the dragon is a sign of paganisms , this part of the epic shows paganism heroism. Christianity is a religion based teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity is mentioned through out the epic , when God is mentioned many of times and shown his power. One example is shown when Grendel tried to kill Hrothgar , he couldn’t because Hrothgar was protected by God when sitting on his throne. Pagan believes are similar as the Old Testament of the Bible believes in that they both believe there’s no hope for an afterlife.
The character Beowulf is the epic hero in this epic. He symbolizes bravery and hope for Hrothgar and his people when he shows up in their shore with the mission to kill Grendel. Beowulf represented Paganism when he introduced himself to the mountain warrior by stating his father’s name and his father's deeds. By doing this Beowulf is setting a reputation , something many warriors in the Anglo-Saxon did when asked who they were.
Grendel is an evil giant who is considered the embodiment of evil. Even though, Grendel is described as a monster , in the written version of Beowulf , Grendel is not describe with detail in order to get the reader's imagination involved. Grendel is a descendant of Cain, murder his brother Abel in the Old Testament, this gives some intell of Grendel’s evil background. In the epic Grendel attacks Hrothgar, king of the Danes, because hrothgar throws these massive parties that bother Grendel. Grendel is both Christian because he's a descendant of Cain and he’s described as a sin-stained demon. However, Grendel does show glimpses of Paganism when he uses magic against Beowulf’s men . As described in the epic Grendel is a demon which represent both Pagan and Christian ideologies.
Grendel’s mother is more fierce and ferocious than her son. In the epic she experiences a mother’s pain when Beowulf kills her son , this makes her want revenge. Grendel's mother is a Christian character but she is surrounded by Pagan symbols. She is also a descendant from Cain. One example of her paganism is where she lives, she lives under this sea infested with snakes. Another Pagan symbol is the sword she is killed with , the sword was crafted by other, this is clearly magic because others are not real.
Like most epics , Beowulf is a combination of both Pagan and Christian beliefs due to the change of religion of the Anglo-Saxon people, from Pagan to Christian. Many Pagan and Christian factors are expressed in Beowulf mainly throughout the characters like Beowulf, Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.
Paganism a religion followed by people of the Anglo-Saxon culture. Paganism believes in wyrd, meaning fate, also concerned with ethics and mysticism. Pagan elements in the epic are custom of worshipping a multiplicity of gods, belief that wyrd controlled their lives superstitious, belief in monsters, dragons, magic, a hero, belief that fame was the only guarantee of immortality. Beowulf’s battle
with the dragon is a sign of paganisms , this part of the epic shows paganism heroism. Christianity is a religion based teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity is mentioned through out the epic , when God is mentioned many of times and shown his power. One example is shown when Grendel tried to kill Hrothgar , he couldn’t because Hrothgar was protected by God when sitting on his throne. Pagan believes are similar as the Old Testament of the Bible believes in that they both believe there’s no hope for an afterlife.
The character Beowulf is the epic hero in this epic. He symbolizes bravery and hope for Hrothgar and his people when he shows up in their shore with the mission to kill Grendel. Beowulf represented Paganism when he introduced himself to the mountain warrior by stating his father’s name and his father's deeds. By doing this Beowulf is setting a reputation , something many warriors in the Anglo-Saxon did when asked who they were.
Grendel is an evil giant who is considered the embodiment of evil. Even though, Grendel is described as a monster , in the written version of Beowulf , Grendel is not describe with detail in order to get the reader's imagination involved. Grendel is a descendant of Cain, murder his brother Abel in the Old Testament, this gives some intell of Grendel’s evil background. In the epic Grendel attacks Hrothgar, king of the Danes, because hrothgar throws these massive parties that bother Grendel. Grendel is both Christian because he's a descendant of Cain and he’s described as a sin-stained demon. However, Grendel does show glimpses of Paganism when he uses magic against Beowulf’s men . As described in the epic Grendel is a demon which represent both Pagan and Christian ideologies.
Grendel’s mother is more fierce and ferocious than her son. In the epic she experiences a mother’s pain when Beowulf kills her son , this makes her want revenge. Grendel's mother is a Christian character but she is surrounded by Pagan symbols. She is also a descendant from Cain. One example of her paganism is where she lives, she lives under this sea infested with snakes. Another Pagan symbol is the sword she is killed with , the sword was crafted by other, this is clearly magic because others are not real.
Like most epics , Beowulf is a combination of both Pagan and Christian beliefs due to the change of religion of the Anglo-Saxon people, from Pagan to Christian. Many Pagan and Christian factors are expressed in Beowulf mainly throughout the characters like Beowulf, Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.