Beowulf: Pagan Values Tied with Christianity

The song titled Beowulf was composed some meter between the seventh and tenth snow in a language that is known as Anglo-Saxon. It incorporates many goy themes and fantasys, yet it also contains many references to Christianity. Although paganism and Christianity notify be seen as unalike, the ii aspects ar brought together by the poet in revision to see the need for grouping. The pagan themes, such as pot or the common land goal of fame and heroism, raise questions in the religious community that could be lead astray or misinterpreted without the Christian insight provided in the text.As a result, it is clear that this conspiracy of pagan beliefs and Christianity shown in Beowulf is for a Christian audience. In order to compound the value of the poem Beowulf, the author settles pagan conceptions such as fame, avenging, and dowry with Christianity. The pagan concepts play key parts in the levelline and are related to the components of Christianity in the poem. One of the pagan concepts depicted in Beowulf is fame. other(a) ancient texts, such as The Odyssey and The Iliad, show warriors who venture out distant from home to accomplish heroic tasks and build fame.The poem shows Beowulf and other characters in the story to consent the same urge. Beowulf is shown early in the story as the mightiest man on earth, high-born and powerful (p. 15). The concept of fame is very important to him and to his people. afterwards hearing of Grendel and his potence, Beowulf declares to heighten Hygelacs fame and gladden his heart, I hereby surrender sword hand to hand is how it will be, a life-and- close compress with the fiend (p. 31). He wants to maximize not only his own fame that the fame of his king.He will fight Grendel equally matched and perform to the uttermost what your people cute or perish in the attempt, in the fiends handgrip (p. 43). The pagan concept of fame is accomplished when Beowulf defeats Grendel and gives the arm of the creature t o Hrothgar. Beowulf has proven his skills and strength by ridding the land of Grendel and Hrothgar praises him by stating, You have made yourself immortal by your glorious actions (p. 63). Although the idea of fame at this time conflicts with certain notions of Christianity, the author reconciles the twain by adding many references to god with the achievement of fame.The author is able to ascribe both Christian concepts and heroism to god through the dialogue of Hrothgar. When Hrothgar arrives in the mead-hall the morning after the slaying, he first thanks God by saying, let the Almighty Father be thankedthe Heavenly Shepard can stool His wonders always (p. 63). He praises Beowulf and states that the killing of Grendel was accomplished with the Lords care (p. 63). Another example of the ties between God and fame is when Hrothgar gives his speech to Beowulf over the dangers of power. He tells the story of Heremod, a king who eventually loses foreverything cod to selfishness, to Beowulf. Almighty God had made him eminent and powerful and marked him from the start for a golden life a change happened, gave no more rings to repay the Danes he suffered in the endhis life lost mirth (p. 119). The story shows that God is the true beholder of power and when man strays from Him, or lives a life of no values, He has the power to take away happiness and power. The only way to live on earth is through the bedeck of God. Consequently, the pagan concept of fame ties back to God and is reconciled to Christianity. Another concept of paganism found in the poem is the concept of vengeance.The first house of vengeance comes clear when Grendels mother becomes aware of Grendels death. She is infuriate and desperate for revenge (p. 89). She had no interest in the Danes or Geats until the death of her son. She goes to the mead-hall, kills Aeschere, and takes back Grendels remaining corpse. This anger and go for to avenge Grendels death also leads to her eventual death when Beowulf meets her at the mere and kills her with the undercover sword. aft(prenominal) killing Grendels mother and resurfacing to land, Beowulf tells his men, if God had not helped me, the impression would have been quick and fatal (p. 15). The author seems to imply that latching onto anger and vengeance leads to the destruction of oneself. It can also be interpreted that Beowulf was aided by God to destroy Grendels mother due to her fixed desire to wreak havoc and revenge on the mead-hall. This can be seen as the authors attempt to reconcile vengeance with Christianity. Another example of vengeance can be seen when Grendels mother kills Aeschere and Hrothgar mourns over his death. Beowulf tries to console Hrothgar by saying, refreshful sir, do not grieve. It is always better to avenge dear ones than to blow in mourning. (p. 97).This shows the importance of avenging the death of ones comrade or friend to Beowulf and also the contrast between vengeance and Christian belief . After Beowulf finishes his boast, Hrothgar sprang to his feet and praised God for Beowulfs pledge (p. 97) This is another attempt by the poet to reconcile the pagan concept of vengeance with Christianity. The desire to seek vengeance is reject through Christianity, and in the case of Grendels mother, can result in the destruction of oneself. Although, the question rises as to why Beowulf wasnt corrected for seek vengeance on Grendels mother.This is where a third pagan concept is seen in Beowulf the pagan concept of fate. The pagan concept of fate in Beowulf is mentioned in association with good and bad fortune. For example, when explaining Hygelacs death, the author states fate swept him away because of his proud need to provoke a brawl with the Frisians (p. 85). The use of fate in this context refers to bad fortune due to Hygelacs desire to stir up a confrontation with the Frisians. At an earlier point in the story, Beowulf tells Hrothgar, no need to lament for longsighted or lay out my body if the battle takes meFate goes ever as fate must (p. 31). Here Beowulf leaves the decision to fate, which is a concept of paganism, but there is no mention of fate being controlled by God. This is in direct conflict with Christianity and the author is does associate fate with Christianity in other portions of the text. For example, when Beowulf is declaring his formal boast to kill Grendel, he states, And may the heaven-sent Lord in His wisdom grant the glory of victory to whichever align He sees fit (p. 47). This example shows Beowulfs demonstration of his Christian beliefs and cite that it is ultimately up to God who will win the fight.After the fight with Grendels mother, Beowulf makes another declaration of fate when he states it was hard-fought, a desperate conflict that could have gone badly if God had not helped me, the outcome would have been quick and fatal (p. 115). Beowulf surrenders himself to God and is honesty aware that his fate was left wing t o Gods will. Beowulf once again shows his belief in not only the pagan concept of fate but in God as well. Therefore, the author has successfully reconciled fate with Christianity. In order to enhance the value of the poem Beowulf, the author reconciles pagan concepts such as fame, vengeance, and fate with Christianity.These concepts are seen all throughout the poem and act as representation for the relationship between pagan concepts and Christianity. Although in some areas the two aspects of Anglo-Saxon life can be seen in conflict, as in the pagan concept of vengeance, the two seem to be interrelated. Although Beowulf is an epic narrative, it is full of Christian elements that show the beliefs of Christians today venture back in time to as early as the seventh century. Christian customs, such as man believing in God and the presence of good in the world, make this pagan story into what is now believed to be a direct Christian story amongst many.