Beowulf: Link Between Traditions - Pagan and Christian "Beowulf" is a link between two traditions‚ Pagan and the Christian. The virtues of courage in war and the acceptance of feuds between men and countries as a fact of life stem from the older Pagan tradition. On the other hand Christianity’s moralities are based meekness and poverty. "Beowulf" brings this two convictions together through the actions of the characters. Even though Beowulf possesses spiritual strength‚ he isn’t
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Beowulf Analysis Beowulf is an old English poem‚ it emerged as an oral legend then it was written down during the Anglo-Saxon period. It was greatly influenced by the Germanic invasion and the separation of the Roman Empire. Therefore‚ Germanic pagan and pre-Christian culture were shown in the stories. Through Beowulf‚ it is clear to see that Germanic society emphasizes courage‚ loyalty‚ generosity‚ and strong individual reputations; secondly‚ the differences and similarities between Germanic culture
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Pagan Influences in Beowulf There are many Pagan and Christian influences in the epic poem‚ Beowulf. Many would think that the hero‚ Beowulf‚ would show the Christian half of the poem‚ but I believe that he shows more Pagan influences in order to succeed against Grendel. Throughout the story‚ Beowulf gives plenty of examples to show this Pagan or evil side of him like his invincibility‚ his confidence‚ and how he does not surrender to his own personal vengeance. The first example that shows Beowulf’s
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Pagan and Christian Holidays Pagans and Christianity have been at each other for centuries. Paganism is a religion of nature. Pagans see the divine as a whole in life and universe. Pagans live according to the cycles of Nature‚ the seasons‚ life and death.[12] Christians believe that God created the universe. Believing Him as the Father Almighty‚ the son and the holy spirit.[7] Pagan Holidays‚ also known as Sabbats‚ occur during the Wheel of the Year. This represents the belief that
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Beowulf: A Pagan Epic Hero? Throughout literature there have been countless parallels and references to the story of Christ as written in the Bible. Even in such unexpected places as in seemingly pagan poems of ancient Danes and Geats- an epic with dragons and monsters- one still finds similar biblical allusions. In just such an unexpected place‚ the epic Beowulf‚ it’s title hero and his circumstance‚ become an allegory for the story of Christ. In this sense‚ Beowulf can be seen as a Christian
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Pagan vs. Christian The holy Catholic Religion had a drastic Christian like impact on the barbarian‚ Viking Pagans of the Anglo-Saxon Age in England (Elements of Literature 11). The Catholics evolved the aggressive Pagan Vikings into a peaceful society (Williams). Also‚ the Catholics substituted their warlike religion and after-life to a more holy and Christian like religion (Chaney 197-217). Along with the altering of the Pagan society and religion‚ the Catholics also transformed the Pagans
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The European epic‚ Beowulf‚ was written sometime in the eighth century in England. This time period provides us with an idea for the mixture of Christian and pagan elements because of an English society that was in the process of converting from Paganism to Christianity. Examples of Pagan and Christian traditions are presented all throughout literature. Many of the influences deal with what it going on in the world‚ when the piece is written. When Beowulf was written‚ St. Augustine had just come
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Beowulf’s story is somewhat of an allegory in which he is depicted as the Christ figure. The theme of Beowulf is a contrast of good and evil which is manifest in both Christian and pagan elements; Beowulf represents good‚ while Grendel‚ his mother‚ and the dragon represent evil. The first monster our hero‚ Beowulf‚ faces is Grendel. Grendel is said to be a descendant of Cain. "Unhappy creature (Grendel)‚ he lived for a time in the home of the monsters’ race‚ after God had condemned them as kin of
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literary work of Beowulf is believed‚ by many‚ to contain numerous attributes of Christian propaganda. Throughout the story of Beowulf‚ there are several circumstances and coincidences that distinctly relate to the Christian belief system. One can only imagine that these ideas of Christian propaganda; which include the use of Christian themes and beliefs in works of literary art‚ were strategically placed throughout the story of Beowulf to help the conversion from the old world pagan religious belief
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The epic poem Beowulf is a tale of a warrior‚ named Beowulf‚ and the events that lead to his death. One of the main concerns of the epic poem was whether or not it is of pagan or Christian origin‚ or whether it has pagan or Christian influences. Even though the poem appeared to be originally a pagan story‚ there are many clues in the text that point to Christian influence and tradition. Beowulf is essentially a Christian story with Christian customs: that man’s survival depends on the protection
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