"Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon Culture"
             "Beowulf" is the oldest known piece of English literature, written around 700 A.D. in Old English. It is an epic poem that is a tale of its namesake, Beowulf. We can date this poem easily, not only scientifically, but also culturally. There are certain characteristics in Old English (Anglo-Saxon) society that are evident throughout the poem. Among those traits are religion, the relationship between kin, thanes, and lords, and the way people dealt with their fate.
             The Christian religion came to the English Isles as early as 314 A.D. and greatly influenced the literature there. The poet was believed to be a monk and a scop (bard) because of the prevalence of Christian allusions. One such allusion is from the first book of the Bible, Genesis. It is the story of how Cain "slew Abel." It explains how Grendel is descended from Cain, who was cast out by "the Ruler (God), for that misdeed." "From him (Cain), sprang all bad breeds, trolls and elves and monsters (Grendel)." When Grendel terrorized the mead hall, Heorot, for twelve years, he could never come near Hrothgar's throne. "He might not approach the throne, [receive] treasure, because of the Lord; He had no love for him." This basically says that since the throne was blessed, no "creature of darkness" or "thing of evil" could touch it, and its ruler. Grendel hated the thanes (warriors) because they were one with God, as he, being a creature of evil, could never be. Hrothgar's speech, from after Beowulf killed Grendel's mother with the blessed sword, reflects the Christian doctrine's emphasis on morality and conscience; the devil lies in wait for the unwary mind and heart. While "Beowulf" mentions being with my father in Heaven, as in when a thane dies, it has only oblique references to the real root of Christianity, God's son. Beowulf, hims...