FREE ESSAY ON BEOWULF - CHRISTIANITY VS. PAGANISM

BEOWULF - CHRISTIANITY VS. PAGANISM

Beowulf-Christianity or Paganism
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. During the battle with Grendel's mother, Beowulf realizes that
Unferth's sword is useless against the monster's thick skin. He grabs an enormous sword
made by giants, almost too heavy to hold, and slashes through the monster's body. This
superhero strength continues into the battle with the dragon. By this time Beowulf is an
old man. He decides that he must avenge his people and fight the dragon. Although Beowulf
is fatally wounded himself, he still manages to deliver the final blow that kills the
dragon. Grendel is also seen as a superhuman monster. Grendel has no knowledge of
weapons, so he, too, depends on his extraordinary strength to destroy his enemies. The
dragon is also seen as a super-powerful adversary. As in most pagan stories, the dragon
is a much-used enemy of the hero of the story. The dragon in Beowulf spits fire with such
intense heat that it melts Beowulf's shield to his body. The author has exalted the
fights with fabled monsters into a conflict between the powers of good and evil. These
battles are examples of epic folklore during pagan times.
Also, in the poem Beowulf partakes in many non-Christian deeds. He drinks alot and has a
tendency to kill people and creatures. Beowulf also cares more about being remembered and
getting treasure more that doing a deed for the charity of it. The fact that he wished to
be cremated also suggests that he is a pagan.
While many pagan influences appear in the poem, Christian overtones dominate. Many of the
characters exhibit Christian characteristics. Beowulf has a Christ-like behavior in his
good-heartedness and charity. Beowulf understands the plight of the Danes that are being
oppressed by the evil monster Grendel just as Christ knew of the oppression of the Jewish
people. Both set out on a venture to save their people. To free themselves from the
monster, the Danes need a savior, and Beowulf, through his desire to disperse their
suffering, comes to save them. When Beowulf battles Grendel, he exhibits a sense of
fairness when he refuses to use a weapon. The idea throughout the poem of living right,
of loyalty, and of being a good leader can all be seen as traits of Christ. Just as
Beowulf exemplifies Christ, Grendel mirrors Satan. Beowulf and Grendel represent the
Christian beliefs of good verse evil. Grendel is referred to as a descendant of Cain,
whom Satan tricks into sinning and committing the first murder. He is the image of a man
fallen from grace through sin. Like Satan who is jealous of the happiness and joy that
Adam and Eve have in the Garden of Eden, Grendel is jealous of the happiness and joy in
Heorot. Grendel, as with Satan, is an adversary of God and poses a great challenge to
Beowulf. Grendel lives in an underworld as Satan lives in hell. Grendel is referred to in
the poem as the guardian of sins. 
The dragon is Beowulf's last and greatest battle. The dragon represents malice, greed,
and destruction. He is a symbol of the power of Satan. Beowulf's fight with the dragon is
a realization of the story of salvation where Beowulf, like Christ, gives his life for
his people. The dragon is a timeless foe, which represents the eternal evils that man
must fight to preserve what's good. Beside Christian elements, the poem has many
Christian parallels. Grendel who is described as a descendant of Cain is a very hateful
creature. He envies the fellowship and happiness he sees. He hates living in the
underworld, cut off from the company of other men. He stalks the people and terrorizes
them because he is jealous of their joy. 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 became jealous
of mankind and to this day stalks people with temptations of evil. More parallels are
evident in Beowulf's preparation and descent into the mere where Grendel's mother lives.
While Beowulf is preparing to enter the water, he is pondering the evils that inhabit the
pond. He knows he is faced with a greater challenge than before. He prepared as though he
were preparing for death. Christ knew before his death that he was facing a great
challenge, and he forgave his enemies. Beowulf's descent into the mere is similar to a
baptismal rite. The immersion purifies him, and he overcomes the evil power of Grendel's
mother. He rises from the water a redeemed man much as Christ arose from the tomb. 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. The waiting is similar to the
apostles waiting for Christ to return from the Garden of Gethsemane. While Christ was in
the Garden, the apostles gave up and fell asleep, all except Peter who loyally awaited
Christ's return. Finally, just as Christ had one last battle, Beowulf has his final
battle with the dragon. Both Christ and Beowulf fought hard in their last battles with
evil, and although they both ultimately died in their final battle, they both were able
to conquer the evil before they died.
In conclusion, the author of Beowulf was very effective in combining pagan and Christian
ideas in his poem. The technique of combining two different ideals made the poem Beowulf
very interesting to read. In mixing Christian and pagan ideas, the poet of Beowulf was
able to emphasize the morals of his time and to enhance his characters with Christian
values and pagan legends.