Beowulf: Pagan and Christian Merge in Epic Poem

It was the period of English civilization when longstanding English scripts were in writing with the progress of converting previous pagan beliefs to Christianity. It is the reason why there is a blend of elements from Pagan culture and Christianity to poetry such as Beowulf. In Beowulf's transcription, the manifestation was from the pagan-centric period, and the narrator incorporates connotations of Christianity. Throughout the poem, there is a combination of biblical influences with ethics and standards of pagan beliefs that are stylistically expressed in Beowulf. Several incidents and activities of the characters illuminate in the poem principles of Germanic brave legends and folktales. The figures demonstrate the ethical code with a manifestation perception of pagan fate (wyrd), loyalty to kinfolk, and vengeance to adversaries. Nevertheless, Christian ideals are imbued in the poem converting supernatural elements from bleak fatality and heroism mythical account into a symbol of faith. Beowulf, like a poem with evil forces and tribulation of darkness, presents a symbol of righteousness and virtue of a champion. The epic tale blends elements of Christianity and the will of God with pagan ideals of pride, fate, feuds, and vengeance.

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Christian elements such as the references of God, heaven, and creation through biblical allegories are an illustration in Beowulf. Several texts from God in the poem introduction assert through phrases such as "The Ruler of Heaven" and "glorious Almighty" (Porter 17). Furthermore, there is the illustration of Christian inclination with the composition of the poet linking the narrative of Grendel's ancestry to biblical Cain. Beowulf is nearly ultimately and doubtless a Christian in attitude and tone (Tietjen 160). King Saul's resolution of Goliath, the gigantic as a biblical narrative, is parallel to the anguish of Hrothgar under the ravages of Grendel, the monster. Moreover, the David situation alongside defeating Goliath is a reference in the poem of the defense and head return as a token of Beowulf in the battle when Beowulf defeated Grendel. There is portray and recognition of Christian faith and with the will of God in several situations by King Hrothgar. However, the poem extensively illustrates pagan elements when it takes a turn of Christian basis in the introductory through the claim of Pagan shrines worship by Daniel.

There is a blend expression of Christian construct on God's will and favor with the pagan concept of fatalism in Beowulf. Capricious entity or force in the poem involves constructs where men interactions do not link with their worthiness and bestow grace and guidance in munificent Christian divinity to the earnest (Tietjen 161). The idea of God's will continually blend with the pagan construct of fate throughout the poem. In particular instances, there are attributes of God's will by the triumph fate when there is belief and influence of bravery by Beowulf win while the characters such as Hrothgar also trait his victory. Beowulf attributes that if a man is not already marked then for no doubt, the courage spares him articulating the concept on pagan of fate (Porter 73). Later he states that by the grace of God, there is an easy escape of exile when there is no mark of destiny for a man during the battle, which additionally illustrates the element of Christianity (Porter 93). Man has free will with the notion of Christian God, and His kindness governs our forthcomings and not fate. The last discourse of Beowulf illustrates the pagan idea of the future when he declares the acceptance of his destiny and becomes responsible for his pre-destined death in the end (Tietjen 162).

Conversely, God granting liberation to the people of Beowulf shows God's resolve and fatalism contrast resulting in the death of Beowulf. Furthermore, Beowulf exemplifies the co-existence of both conceptions through forewarnings of Hrothgar about pride shortcomings by enlightening the role of God and fate (Tietjen 163). Both values interweave the results of Beowulf being a plot possessing a combination of both Christian and pagan features.

The poem turns to a predominantly Christian tale through its characters, such as Beowulf within a pagan Germanic life force showing Christian faith and divine influence. Beowulf characters in their endeavors look for safety and direction from God since He is the one they give appreciation for request and favors bequeathed (Tietjen 164). Christian influences supersede elements of pagan despite the poem possessing the pagan items. There is a Christ-like symbol for Beowulf with attributes such as loyalty and self-sacrifice, saving the symbol of the devil and evilness for Danes for Christian values expression. Beowulf to cleanse Heorot presents him as saviors who are God-sent and combined with King Hrothgar, they concede God's ability (Goldsmith 83). There is a glory to God in the encounter against Grendel's mother for His formidable skills, and Beowulf acknowledges that there would have been lethal aftermath if there were no intervention by God.

Similarly, Hrothgar's majority discourses denote to metaphors of Christianity and God's will. Through Beowulf in the Grendel clash, Hrothgar expands the deliverance of God granting upon the Danes people and the greatness of the Lord. Both Hrothgar and Beowulf repeatedly express as advocates in the one true God, therefore, expressing their Christian inclination (Thayer & Brodeur 180). The poem's astounding misfortunes and strength attributes Christian faith with astonishing heroism. The poem still holds pagan principles despite Beowulf gratefulness and Hrothgar's discourses as spiritual allegories to the will of God.

The character's attributes of vengeance, desires for pride, and fame manifest in pagan elements for Beowulf. Beowulf is devoted to being a warrior for every gross act that Grendel commits and determined to take revenge. The pagan Germanic philosophy encourages and glorifies the attributes of feud and vengeance. Conflicting to the biblical knowledge, Kinfolks and Beowulf display to their enemies the duty of revenge rather than show love and forgiveness. Furthermore, the titular character shows the desire and pursuit of fame (Goldsmith 101). Beowulf seeks earthly glory, and in the pagan culture, he is exemplary as a heroic warrior over Christian elements of external liberation in God (Tietjen 171). Beowulf illustrates a vital component of the pagan society of an individual's character by the aspect of pride that contradicts Christian values, whereby it deems boasting as sinful. Hrothgar demonstrates this by presenting gifts to Beowulf and warns him about the sin of pride. Christian values illuminate that satisfaction comes before a fall, and in the poem's last battle of the dragon, Beowulf was too proud to see it as a menace. Subsequently, accustom of Beowulf to triumphing and his egotism of not considering age leads him to destruction.

Conclusion

Beowulf's blend of Christianity and paganism is a replication of an era in which principles of the pagan period were in alleviation by the composure of the new belief. Beowulf both blends and conflicts, pagan aspects, and spiritual discourse of Christianity as an epic tale. The poem's pagan texture is influenced by Christian elements that the characters construct and exhibit both virtues. The figures demonstrate Christian ideals of favor from God, seeking guidance and self-sacrifice while possessing pagan attributes such as pride, desire, and vengeance. Further co-existence of both constructs is over interlinking of the power of God's spirit and the ideal of pagan fate. The poem, as a pagan Germanic culture, aims at the aspects of paganism with Christian elements as a commentary.

Works Cited

Goldsmith, Margaret E. "THE CHRISTIAN THEME OF" BEOWULF"." Medium AEvum 29.2 (1960): 81-101. From https://www.jstor.org/stable/43626851?seq=1

Irving, Edward B. "The nature of Christianity in Beowulf." Anglo-Saxon England 13 (1984): 7-21.

Mcgalliard, John C. "The Complex Art of 'Beowulf' The Art of Beowulf. Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur." Modern Philology, vol. 59, no. 4, 1962, pp. 276-282., doi:10.1086/389484.

Porter, John. "Beowulf: Text and Translation. Hockwold-cum-Wilton." (2006).

Thayer, C. G., and Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur. "The Art of 'Beowulf.'" Books Abroad, vol. 35, no. 2, 1961, p. 184., doi:10.2307/40115723.

Tietjen, Mary C. Wilson. "God, Fate, and the Hero of" Beowulf"." The Journal of English and Germanic Philology 74.2 (1975): 159-171.