Beowulf was written in England sometime in the 8th century. This provides us with an idea that the poem that was written during a time when the society was in the process of converting from paganism to Christianity. The Christian influences were combined with early folklore and the heroic legends of the German tribes. That Christianity and Paganism are so closely intertwined in the poem shows that 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 instead on his superhuman strength
             in his recklessness uses no weapons.
             I, therefore, to amuse Hygelac my lord,
             . 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 the mere, he swims, seemingly without the need of oxygen, downward for an entire day before he reaches the bottom.
             During the battle with Grendel's mother, Beowulf realizes that Unferth's sword is useless against the monster's thick skin. He grabs an enormous sword made by giants, almost too heavy to hold, and slashes through the monster's body.
             This superhuman strength continues into the battle with the dragon. By this time Beowulf is an old man. He decides that he must avenge his people and destroy the dragon. Although Beowulf is fatally wounded himself, he still manages to deliver the final blow that kills the dragon.
             Grendel is also seen as a superhuman monster. Grendel has no knowledge of weapons, so he, too, depends on his extraordinary strength to destroy his enemies. The dragon is also seen as a super-powerful adversary. As in most paga...