Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Mythology Beowulf Beowulf Analysis: Beowulf and Religious Affiliation When we look at Beowulf through the eyes of religion, we see two distinctly different elements mingled together as one. In this period, before Christianity took root throughout the world, pagan religions were still widely practiced. There is evidence of this throughout Beowulf. There is also, however, evidence of strong Christian influence as well. Because of the diversity of peoples living in the land at that time, different cultures were mixed together, each taking on characteristics of the other. In Beowulf, the author has combined traditional hero-worship with the ideals and beliefs of Christianity. Needless to say, this combination makes for a distorted view of both beliefs. Both elements, however, are skillfully intertwined through this epic, and in the end, complement each other in this great work of ancient English literature. It is not hard to pull out the references to Christianity that are in Beowulf. They are marked by references such as “...He never dared to touch king Hrothgar’s glorious throne, protected by God - God, whose love Grendel could not know”. Other references to God are coupled with pagan references, as exhibited in this powerful excerpt: “And sometimes they [the frightened council of warriors] sacrificed to the old stone gods. Made heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s support, the Devil’s guidance in driving their affliction off. That was their way, and the heathen’s only hope, Hell always in their hearts, knowing neither God nor His passing as He walks through our world, the Lord of Heaven and earth; their ears could not hear His praise nor know His glory.” It is evident that the writer was well grounded in the Christian faith. Notice that the pagan deities are referred to as “the old stone gods”. This shows that the culture had moved on from the old beliefs and into the new Christian faith. Grendel himself, the very embodiment of evil, was based on the Christian belief of the Devil and Hell. Beowulf, the God-empowered hero, shows how good will triumph over evil in the end, and all other routes lead to destruction. Yet even Beowulf, the personification of good, was rooted in pagan tradition. All brave men, and even most cowardly men, are labeled righteous and holy in this tale. Beowulf’s strength alone granted him a god-like status. The fact that he was a celebrated personage ensured his righteousness in the eyes of his people. This does not follow Christian beliefs that the only way to heaven and righteousness is Jesus Christ, therefore it may be labeled pagan. There is evidence of this type of belief in the funeral of Beowulf. This passage, though open to interpretation, shows a mix of pagan and Christian beliefs. “Then the warriors began to kindle that greatest of funeral fires; smoke rose above the flames, black and thick, and while the wind blew and the fire roared they wept, and Beowulf’s body crumbled and was gone. A gnarled old woman...groaned a song of misery, of infinite sadness...and Heaven swallowed the billowing smoke.” Here it is implied that Heaven automatically swallowed the “billowing smoke”, or Beowulf’s soul. It is treated as something to be expected; such a great man deserves no better. This can be labeled a pagan belief. Also, notice that the gnarled old woman sang a “song of misery, of infinite sadness”. Christians believe that death is sad, but not infinitely, because the saved person’s soul is in a better place. Therefore, there is a distinct combination of Christian beliefs and pagan ideals. Beowulf is a great English literature classic. It is an epic battle between the ultimate Good and the ultimate Evil, with Good triumphing in a grandiose way. The mixed religious overtones provide an interesting subject for discussion and reflection. It not only serves as a historical reference, but also as a representation of the hopes and dreams of the people of the Anglo-Saxon period. "And so Beowulf’s followers rode, mourning their beloved leader, crying that no better king had ever lived, no prince so mild, no man so open to his people, so deserving of praise." Bibliography: Beowulf Word Count: 708
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