Beowulf
The epic poem found in the Norton Anthology entitled "Beowulf" has two clearly different religions and beliefs. Whether it is from the angle of being completely Christian or the opposite view of being Pagan, "Beowulf" clearly shows the differences. Yet there is no real definition of the poem being either of these religions, so what is the true one? There is no real proof of the true Beowulf story or of its origins; many have re-written its text to suit the readers' ways and religion. This is where the possibility of Christianity plays through. Through this we look at each of the quotes which may support either religion, and hopefully decipher the truth. "- but God can easily halt these raids and harrowing attacks!" (478-479) the slant mentioning of God in this epic yet boring poem have given it the slight twinge the author, whom is unknown, was a Christian. Why would the Pagan's comment about the Lord in such a manner? There is also the belief of the many who translated the poem had inserted these Christian beliefs into the story. To hopefully convert those who read the poem or heard of the poem by "proving" heroes believed in God. Not all of the mentions of a higher being are directly quoted, many
Coinciding with Christian beliefs are those of Pagan belief, such as this quote shows. Christians do not always burn the body of a loved one to ensure they are with God; the traditional way is to bury the body whole for God to see. Very un-Christian like, yet there are hundreds of interventions of God in the poem. There are many representations of both Christianity and Pagan worship inside of this poem, yet there are barely any that collide together. We experience the Christian side of the poem in quotes such as these: "To where he will lodge for a long time in the care of the Almighty. Therefore, we see a Pagan side to the poem where there is a need for proof and a need for trophies of triumph. Pagans also believe in looting another man after he has passed on, as we see in the following: "One warrior stripped the other, looted Ongentheow's iron mail-coat, his hard sword-hilt, his helmet too, and carried the graith to King Hyglac. Although majority of the times God is suggested it is blatant and entirely obvious, such as the quote from Beowulf himself ". There may not be a distinct religion in the epic poem entitled "Beowulf" but there are a number of mentions of Christianity and Pagan. They are almost always separate, as if the translators imposed these religions upon the story after it has been written.
Common topics in this essay:
Coinciding Christian,
Christian Pagan's,
Christianity Pagan,
Pagan Beowulf,
Beowulf Christian,
Heavenly Lord,
Sun Moon,
Pagan Christianity,
King Hyglac,
God-worshiping Beowulf,
christianity pagan,
burning body,
religion epic,
epic poem,
burn body,
religion epic poem,
real proof,
pagans believe,
people built,
quotes support,
beowulf believe,
|
Acceptance Essays
