Beowulf
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 converted from paganism to Christianity. The Christian influences were combined with early folklore and heroic legends of German tribes and we try to look at whether or not Christian and biblical influences were added later to originally pagan poem or not. The fact that Christianity and Paganism are so closely intertwined in the poem 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 the water, he swims, without the use of oxygen, downward for an entire day before he sees the bottom.
Grendel, as with Satan, is an adversary of God and poses a great challenge to Beowulf. Beside Christian elements, the poem has many Christian parallels. Beowulf's descent into the mere is similar to a baptismal rite. He decides that he! must avenge his people and fight the dragon. The fact that he wished to be cremated also suggests that he is a pagan. While Beowulf is in the mere, all the thanes except Wiglaf gives up hope and leaves at the ninth hour, the hour of Christ's death on the cross. Grendel is referred to in the poem as "the guardian of sins". The author has exalted the fights with fabled monsters into a conflict between the powers of good and evil. The dragon represents malice, greed, and destruction. The dragon is Beowulf's last and greatest battle. He rises from the water a redeemed man much as Christ arose from the tomb. He became jealous of mankind and to this day stalks people with temptations of evil. Grendel's stalking of the Dane's is similar to the devil when he was cast out of heaven and the joys that were there. He prepared as though he were preparing for death.
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Acceptance Essays
