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Beowulf, the classic medieval tale of monsters and dragons. The 3182 lines of Beowulf indulge in a grand story that tells the tale of a great Pagan warrior. However, the author includes many Christian elements. Notably, in lines, 181–183, the author says, ‘deep in their hearts they remembered hell. The Almighty Judge of good deeds and bad, the Lord God, Head of the Heavens and High King of the World, was unknown to them.’ Written by a Christian author, but set in Paganistic times, Beowulf includes references to these two religions constantly throughout the story. For example, in lines 170–181, Hrothgar sets up shrines and presents offerings to the pagan gods in hopes they will come to the aid of his kingdom; furthermore, many times, the author or main characters reference that the ‘Lord’ will decide their fate or determine who is worthy. Though Beowulf and the other characters are not Christian, many references to God and allusions to the Old Testament are present. This story would have been passed down orally, and the Christian concepts would have assisted the audience in associating further with the story and its characters.
While the exact year Beowulf was written is not known, we do know it was written in late medieval Anglo-Saxon Britain, which was Christianized. The story, however, is set in early medieval Scandinavia, which was Pagan. This produces an intriguing mix between the two religions. While the story mainly contains Christian elements, such as references to God and The Lord, it is still certain that the characters are, in fact, Pagan. Notably, when Beowulf states, “Fate goes ever as Fate must.” (455) This is evidence that the characters believe in Wyrd, an old Pagan ideology, which is the personification of fate. Finally, at the end of the poem, after Beowulf dies, he is laid on a pyre and it is lit on fire, which is another old Pagan tradition.
However, the theme of Christianity remains dominant throughout most of the poem. For example, throughout Beowulf’s adventure, it is stated that God watches and guides him through the journey. For example, Beowulf states “If God had not helped me, the outcome would have been quick and fatal.’ (1657). At the beginning of the poem when Grendel is introduced, the author tells us he is a descendant of Cain. This is an allusion to the Old Testament where Cain is known as the first murderer. Moreover, in lines 1687-1693, the author notes:
Hrothgar spoke; he examined the hilt,
the relic of old times. It was engraved all over
and showed how war first came into the world
and the flood destroyed the tribe of giants.
They suffered a terrible severance from the Lord;
The Almighty made the waters rise
and drowned them in the deluge for retribution.
This is a reference to the story of the flood in the bible. Furthermore, this story could also be a lesson. Throughout the story Beowulf is very prideful, often he boasts about his strength. Pride, being one of the deadly sins, is one of the reasons he ends up being killed by the dragon. Continuing, the author could be using this poem as a message to not be prideful but to be humble.
Due to the fact that the author is unknown, it is possible that the poem was passed down by word of mouth during Pagan times, and was finally written down by a Christian priest. This would explain the mix of the two religions throughout the story. On the other hand, It is possible that the author is partially Pagan himself since, during the proposed time frame that the poem was written, Paganism was not completely gone.
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