Religious effects in Beowulf

Beowulf was written during the 18th century, although no oneknows when it was composed or by whom. This poem gives us a viewof a society changing from Paganism to Christianity. Christianity andPaganism are known to have coexisted during the period that Beowulfwas set to take place. Christian influences were known in early folklore, and heroic legends of dramatic tribes. The Christian elements arealmost without exception so deeply ingrained in the fabric of the poemthat they cannot be explained away as the work of a reviser or later The pagan elements in the poem are shown in the superhumanabilities of the charactors. Beowulf is depicted as a superhero. Whenfighting with Grendel, Beowulf chooses not to use any weapons, herelies only on his super strength. During this fight, Beowulf's strengthoverpowers Grendel and he is able to rip one of the monster's arms outof its socket. Superhuman feats also show up in the fight with Grendel'smother. When Beowulf enters the water he swims downward for anentire day before he sees the bottom. He does this without the use ofoxygen. During the fight with Grendel's mother he grabs an enormoussword made by giants, almost too heavy to hold and slashes through the