Beowulf-Christianity Or Paganism

Beowulf-Christianity or Paganism
Beowulf was written in England sometime in the 18th century. "This provides us with an idea of a poem that was
written during a time when the society had converted from paganism to Christianity"(Cohen 138). "We know that
paganism did exist alongside Christianity during the approximate era that Beowulf was composed"(Hall 61). "The
Christian influences were combined with early folklore and heroic legends of dramatic tribes, early Beowulf
scholars began to investigate whether or not Christian and biblical influences were added later to originally pagan
influences"(Hall 61). "The Christian elements are almost without exception so deeply ingrained in the fabric of the
poem that they cannot be explained away as the work of a reviser or later interpolator"(Klaeber 2). The fact that the
two values are so closely intertwined in the poem, I believe that is the reason Beowulf has both Christian and pagan
influences.
The pagan elements in the epic poem Beowulf are evident in the characters superhuman personifications. Beowulf is
depicted as a superhero. Beowulf takes it upon himself to save the Danes from Grendel. In his battle with Grendel,
Beowulf chooses not to use weapons; he relies on his super strength. During the fight, Beowulf's strength takes over
and Beowulf wrestles with Grendel until he is able to rip one of the monster's arms out of its socket. Superhuman
feats also appear in the fight with Grendel's mother. When Beowulf enters t...

Beowulf-Christianity Or Paganism

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