Beowulf

As a result, the Beowulf poet is at pains to resolve his Christian beliefs with the often quite un- Christian behavior of his characters. In light of all this Beowulf becomes somewhat ambiguous at the end of the poem. In the end, however, it proves simply irresolvable: Beowulf doesn't lead a particularly good life by Christian standards, but the poet cannot help but revere him. His conquering of Grendel and Grendel’s mother validates for his reputation that the poem establishes for him from the beginning of the poem and leads Beowulf into complete heroic status. He ultimately lives for the preservation of earthly glory after death, not for entrance into heaven. Over the first part of the poem , Beowulf experiences very little maturation as he possesses heroic qualities in abundance from the start The difference between these sets of values manifests itself early on in the outlooks of Beowulf and King Hrothgar: whereas the youthful Beowulf, having nothing to lose, desires personal glory, the aged Hrothgar, having much to lose, seeks protection for his people. Though he is deservedly celebrated as a great hero and leader, his last battle ,courageous as it is also somewhat fast.

The poem has a transition from paganism to Christianity. Throughout the poem, the poet strains to accommodate these two sets of values; though we aren’t such is he is Christian or not , he cannot (and doesn't seem to want to) deny the fundamental pagan values of the story. This is a code, which is also, often in tension with the values of medieval Christianity: while the code stipulates that honor is gained during life through deeds, Christianity asserts that glory lies in the afterlife.