ift...lifted it high over his head and struck with all the strength he had left,...(Beowulf, lines 633-641). This superhero strength continues into the battle with the dragon. By this time, Beowulf is an old man. He stands up to the dragon and wounds him. 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. Snatched up thirty men, smashed them...(Beowulf, line 37). Also do to the fear of Grendel people prayed to their stone gods, a pagan ritual. And sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods...hoping for Hells support...(Beowulf, lines 90-92). The dragon is also seen as a super powerful adversary. The dragon in Beowulf spits fire with such intense heat that it melts Beowulf's shield to his body. These battles are examples of epic folklore during pagan times. Also Beowulf's single destiny is to help his people by dying while fighting a supernatural creature. After Beowulf is defeated he wants his body cremated and wants his ashes placed in a memorial tower as a reminder of his bravery, a very unchristian ritual. Have the brave Geats build me a tomb, when the funeral flames have burned me, and build it here,...so sailors can see the tower, and remember my name, and call it Beowulfs tower...(Beowulf, lines 809-816). This leaves us the impression of pagan immortality. Christian influences are also very apparent in the poem. Many of the characters exhibit Christian characteristics. Beowulf has great kindness. Beowulf understood the predicament of the Danes that are being attacked by the evil monster Grendel and knew what he had to do, just as Christ did for humanity. Both set out to save their people. Heard how Grendel filled the nights with horror...would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed(Beowulf, lines ...
