Epic of Beowulf - Contradictory Christian Elements in...

Contradictory Christian Elements in Beowulf In Beowulf the Christian element, which coexists alongside the pagan or heathen, sometimes in a seemingly contradictory fashion, is many faceted. Certainly the Christian element seems to be too deeply interwoven in the text for us to suppose that it is due to additions made by scribes at a time when the poem had come to be written down. The Christian element had to be included by the original poet or by minstrels who recited it in later times. The extent to which the Christian element is present varies in different parts of the poem. In the last portion (2200–3183) the number of lines affected by it amounts to less than four per cent., while in the section dealing with†¦show more content†¦with the corpse in the burial mound overlooking the sea. Including such heathen rites enables the poet to â€Å"communicate his Christian vision of pagan heroic life.†(Bloom 2). Additonally, earlier in the poem, the Danes, when under extreme pressure from Grendel, reverted to Satan-worship: At times they prepared sacrifice in temples, war-idol offerings, said the old words aloud, that the great soul-slayer might bring some comfort in their country’s disaster. Such was their custom, the hope of the heathen; they remembered Hell in their deepest thoughts. They knew not the Lord, the Judge of our deeds, were ignorant of God, knew not how to worship our Protector above, the King of Glory (175ff) The minstrels’ catechesis seems poor because their allusions to the church and to the Bible are quite indistinct, vague, indefinete, thus reflecting a vague knowledge of Christianity on theirShow MoreRelatedEssay on Religion in Beowulf814 Words   |  4 Pagesperiod, the epic Beowulf contains many pagan ideals, in addition to several references to Christian philosophy. Beowulf is a tale of dual ordeals; an external fight against treacherous enemies, and an internal struggle with human tendencies of pride, greed, cowardice, and betrayal. The story intertwines them with both pagan and Christian beliefs. The pride of Beowulf was a personal characteristic that was not commonly shared with others during his time of living. This pride caused Beowulf to feel theRead MoreBeowulf And The Anglo Saxon Period1740 Words   |  7 PagesBeowulf The original poem, Beowulf, goes back to the Anglo-Saxon period in c. 650 and c.1100. Authors translated Beowulf many times in the Anglo-Saxon period to present day. It displays how a hero should be in the real world. He helps the people in the village and slays monsters. Everyone in the village looks up to him as he acts as if he were a role model. Beowulf, the protagonist in the translated Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, is a hero of his village, stands for bravery, strong will, and noblenessRead MoreComparing and Contrasting Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, and Renaissance Perio1410 Words   |  6 Pagesindeed. From the early pagan warriors to the artisans of the Renaissance, the European world dramatically reformed. The literature of each era indicates the profound cultural innovations. The Anglo-Saxons arguably most important literary piece, Beowulf, is a story of a brave warrior who fights Grendel. Grendel is described as, A powerful monster, living down/ In the darknessÂ…(lines 1-2). Th is affray demonstrates the timeless battle of good versus evil. The universal struggle is maintained in theRead MoreAmerican Literature11652 Words   |  47 PagesEnlightenment American Renaissance/Romanticism Gothic Realism Naturalism Modernism Harlem Renaissance Postmodernism Contemporary Puritan Times period of American Literature - 1650-1750 Content: ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · errand into the wilderness be a city upon a hill Christian utopia Genre/Style: ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · sermons, diaries personal narratives captivity narratives jeremiads written in plain style Effect: ï‚ · ï‚ · instructive reinforces authority of the Bible and church Historical Context: ï‚ · ï‚ · a person s