Beowulf: Pagan Values Tied with Christianity

The numbers titled Beowulf was composed some prison term between the seventh and superstar-tenth century in a actors line that is known as Anglo-Saxon. It incorporates many infidel themes and innovations, yet it also contains many references to Christianity. Although heathenism and Christianity quarter be seen as unalike, the deuce aspects be brought together by the poet in order to show the need for grouping. The heathenish themes, such as batch or the common goal of fame and heroism, raise questions in the religious community that could be deceptive or misinterpreted without the Christian insight provided in the text.As a result, it is clear that this combination of ethnic judgments and Christianity shown in Beowulf is for a Christian audience. In order to enhance the value of the numbers Beowulf, the seed reconciles heathenish models such as fame, retri exception, and point with Christianity. The heathenish excogitations play winder parts in the fabricationl ine and are related to the components of Christianity in the poem. One of the pagan concepts depicted in Beowulf is fame. Other past texts, such as The Odyssey and The Iliad, show warriors who reckon out far from home to accomplish heroic tasks and build fame.The poem shows Beowulf and some opposite characters in the story to energise the uniform urge. Beowulf is shown early in the story as the mightiest man on priming, high-born and office staffful (p. 15). The concept of fame is very important to him and to his people. After interview of Grendel and his strength, Beowulf declares to heighten Hygelacs fame and gladden his heart, I hereby renounce sword go across to hand is how it leave behind be, a important fight with the daimon (p. 31). He wants to maximise not precisely his own fame exactly the fame of his big businessman.He will fight Grendel equally matched and effect to the uttermost what your people wanted or perish in the assay, in the fiends clutches (p . 43). The pagan concept of fame is accomplished when Beowulf defeats Grendel and gives the arm of the creature to Hrothgar. Beowulf has be 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 designer reconciles the cardinal by adding many references to beau ideal with the achievement of fame.The source is able to attribute both Christian concepts and heroism to deity through the intercourse 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 work His wonders constantly (p. 63). He praises Beowulf and states that the killing of Grendel was accomplished with the gentles assistance (p. 63). other cause of the ties between God and fame is when Hrothgar gives his s peech to Beowulf everywhere the dangers of power. He tells the story of Heremod, a king who ultimately loses everything due to selfishness, to Beowulf. Almighty God had made him eminent and powerful and attach him from the start for a happy life-timespan a change happened, gave no more rings to honour the Danes he suffered in the endhis life lost gladness (p. 119). The story shows that God is the true percipient 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 merely way to live on earth is through the grace 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 payback.The first subscribe to of vengeance comes clear when Grendels amaze becomes aware of Grendels death. She is infuriated and fearsome 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 appetite to vindicate Grendels death also leads to her eventual death when Beowulf meets her at the mere and kills her with the cabalistic sword. After killing Grendels get and resurfacing to land, Beowulf tells his men, if God had not helped me, the gist would have been quick and fatal (p. 15). The author seems to connote that latching onto anger and vengeance leads to the ravaging 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 illustration of vengeance can be seen when Grendels mother kills Aeschere and Hrothgar mourns over his death. Beowulf tries to console Hrothgar by saying, Wise sir, do not grieve. It is incessantly better to avenge dear ones than to blow in mour ning. (p. 97).This shows the importance of avenging the death of ones comrade or peer 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 some other attempt by the poet to reconcile the pagan concept of vengeance with Christianity. The desire to seek vengeance is discouraged 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 seeking 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 near(a) and big(a) jeopardy. For cause, when explaining Hygelacs death, the author states fate sweep him away because of his proud need to displace a feud with the Frisians (p. 85). The use of fate in this context refers to bad fortune due to Hygelacs desire to kick up up a confrontation with the Frisians. At an earlier point in the story, Beowulf tells Hrothgar, no need to lament for long or lay out my body if the difference of opinion 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 Divine Lord in His wisdom grant the glory of victory to whichever side He sees fit (p. 47). This example shows Beowulfs demonstration of his Christian beliefs and quotation 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 affair that c ould have done for(p) badly if God had not helped me, the outcome would have been quick and fatal (p. 115). Beowulf surrenders himself to God and is extensivey aware that his fate was left to Gods will. Beowulf once over 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 pattern 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 hypothesis back in time to as early as the seventh century. Christian customs, such as man believe in God and the presence of good in the world, make this pagan story into what is now believed to be a uncreated Christian story amongst many.