Beowulf Allegory Essay

Beowulf Allegory Essay
Beowulf is a story of epic literature that is an allegory. An allegory is a story with two or more levels
of meaning. Beowulf is an allegory because there are many different hidden symbols that represent
loyalty and bravery throughout the story relating back to the Anglo–Saxons and the Danes. Beowulf
is a story of epic literature made in 1000 AD. The hero in the story, Beowulf, became the ruler of the
Spear Danes after Hrothgar became too old to protect his people and the land. Hrothgar built an
enormous hall for him and his men,in which he named Heorot. Outside the hall there was a monster
named Grendel who came into the hall at night and ate thirteen men. Grendel continues to attack the
men. Beowulf offers to battle Grendel by himself and king Hrothgar agrees. Grendel ends up getting
sent to hell and his mother seeks revenge but Beowulf defeats her. A dragon ... Show more content
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The Anglo Saxons had a strong characteristic of bravery. They always had to worry about the
protection of their land because it was so important to have control of it and had to be brave enough
to fight whatever messed with them. In Beowulf, it is obvious that he shows a tremendous amount
of bravery. Around the time that Beowulf became the king, a dragon came to the town of Heorot and
destroyed his home and the land. He then fought the dragon without armour or a shield and killed
the dragon by stabbing it in the stomach, (Ch.35) The Anglo–Saxons and Beowulf also show many
signs of loyalty. If you're apart of an Anglo Saxon group you must always stick with your people
through battle and never leave them helpless. Receiving loyalty was not the case for Beowulf.
Before he killed the dragon, it bit his neck and Beowulf was bleeding to death, His men were
cowardly and left Beowulf to die as they ran off. In this case, Beowulf was the hero and being loyal
to his men by sacrificing his life as they just left him there to die.
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Christianity In Beowulf Research Paper
Christianity in Beowulf
All throughout history there have been examples of religion and other teachings being displayed
through literature. During the settlement, Christian missionaries spread the word of Christianity to
the Natives through text. According to an article, "their professed goal was to spread the gospels
throughout the Americas". The influence of religion on the Native people was intended to convert
them from their "savage" way of living to a more civilized and religious one. The poem Beowulf,
was translated by Christian monks to spread the word of Christianity, and to convert the old practice
of Paganism. The monks, much like the Christian missionaries, used literature to speak to the people
in that transitional time period. By using a heroic figure, the monks were able to influence the
Pagans into following the word of God through the spokesman of a hero (Clark).
Beowulf was translated to promote a Christian audience. During the sixth century, Pagan ideology
was challenged by Christianity; texts were translated by Christian monks to conform the oral
traditions to their new society. The monks targeted oral ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Beowulf "defeats" Grendel by detaching his arm and as he stands, he announces to the men that it is
God's doing when he states, "Let God be thanked! Grendel's terrible anger hung over our heads too
long; dropping down misery; but the Almighty makes miracles" (Beowulf 927). Beowulf dedicates
his victory to the Almighty God and believes that he slayed Grendel with the "miracle" that He has
grant him. The term "miracle" in this passage indicates that Beowulf and the thanes believe that
without God, the battle would not have been successful, and it was due to the miracle that He grants
them. Christian terminology is a strong source of the monk's incorporation of religion, because it
shows that even the strongest hero, Beowulf, considers his victory a miracle from

Beowulf Is An Interesting Text
Beowulf is an interesting text. The author is unknown. A little about the text is that it is the longest
surviving, old English poem that is cited as one of the most important works from the old English
literature. We don't even know the full title. We know very little about how this poem came to be but
we know that some of the things we take out of it can still be seen today. It was a poem based off of
the Anglo Saxons and how they saw their people and how they would risk everything to save their
country. The main guy in this play is called Beowulf and he starts big things in this poem like
getting individual recognition. There are 3 things that motivate Beowulf's actions.
The first thing that motivated Beowulf and what he did was the glory that he will receive. Back in
the Anglo Saxon time the one thing that everyone tried to get was glory. Beowulf started out as a
nobody in some other kingdom and he was told that one of the nicest halls was not even being
occupied because of this man eating monster called Grendel. So he feels up to the challenge to go
and kill this monster. Beowulf gets the land of Roth the king of the Danes and is really respected full
to him and Beowulf introduces himself as a worthy warrior to fight the beast. Beowulf not only
defeats Grendel, but he does it with his bare hands. He tricks the monster and ends up ripping the
monster's arm off. The monster goes away and dies where he lives and Beowulf hangs the monsters
arm up in the rafters to show

Reconciling Ingrained Traditions with Newly Emerging...
Before the eighth century, England was a pagan society, the English originated from a society
marred in idolatry and polytheism. The intermingling of Christian and pagan elements in Beowulf
are consistent with the attitudes toward religion that are found in Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the
English People. Beowulf was written in the Middle Ages (500–1000) on Scandinavia, which was a
highly pagan society, however the narrator is telling this story within the timeframe of medieval
Anglo–Saxon Britain, which was undergoing Christianization. Hence, within the author's structure
of the poem bear a resemblance to the society presented in Bede. Both books while highlighting the
intermingling of Christian and pagan elements did not shy away ... Show more content on
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It was under kingship of Ethelbert that the English first converted to Christianity in Bede. Letters
from Pope Gregory King Ethelbert highlight the problem of idol worship that persisted in the
English society during their first conversion to Christianity. Even those who converted to
Christianity such as king Redwald often got "apostatize(d)" back by their societies, as most people
were still ingrained in paganism. For Redwald, it was wife who led him back into pagan practice.
After his reversion to pagan practice Redwald tried to "serve both Christ and the ancient gods, and
he had in the same shrine an altar for the holy sacrifice of Christ side by side with a small altar on
which victims were offered to devils." It is such amalgamation of practices that illustrates the
intermingling of Christian and pagan elements in both the sources. Areas such as the East Saxons
and Essex often lapsed back into paganism. For instance, the East Saxons appostized under king
Sigbert and reconverted to Christianity "by the preaching of Cedd." Another example is that of the
Northumbrians who returned to paganism in 634 C.E after the death of king Edwin. This reversion
to paganism was evident in Beowulf when Grendel terrorized the Danes, who resultantly turned
back to idol worship even though they acknowledge the existence of the Christian God and his
power of creation in a song they sang about

Christian Influences In Beowulf
Originally written around the year 1000, and composed closer to the year 800, The poem Beowulf is
a renowned story that displays many different surroundings and religious beliefs. It is assumed most
people in the area had already been converted to Christianity, which provides the best explanation
for why Beowulf contains a large number of Christian influences for the story to have taken place
when it did. Beowulf contrasts from other medieval poems, as they tend to be either exclusively
Christian, Pagan, or be secular in views. However, Beowulf did not directly fit into any of these
molds, as it depicted a fusion of Pagan and Christian virtues. Some see the story of Beowulf as one
that portrays Pagan customs, and others believe that the poem is more in agreement with Christian
ethnicity. The author of Beowulf uses both Christian and Pagan elements in the poem to depict
Beowulf, and the monsters he faced; Beowulf utilized some Pagan customs, though was willing to
die for his cause, using the help of God.
Many aspects of Christianity were incorporated into this work. Since ... Show more content on
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Set in medieval Scandinavia, Paganism was the prominent religion. Idol worship was practiced
regularly, though a monotheistic mindset seemed to be present, and the characters in the poem had
many Christian values instilled in them. Beowulf's own beliefs are not expressed explicitly, and
Jesus Christ was never mentioned. In Pagan worship, nature takes the place of God along with the
belief that inanimate objects contain spirits. The poem was recorded by Christian Anglo Saxons who
had largely converted from their native Anglo–Saxon paganism around the seventh century. The
Beowulf poem this depicts a Germanic warrior society, which the relationship between the lord of
the region and those who served under him was of the upmost

The Religious Principles Of Beowulf
Syncretism is defined as the combination of different beliefs or practices. This term is an important
topic within Beowulf, since the poem has obviously united two religious principles. Beowulf is
dedicated to expressing and explaining the Germanic heroic code, but there are specific moments
when Christianity and paganism over laps. Though Paganism focuses on victory, honor, and
masculinity the author manages to add the act of forgiving your enemies, the significance of the
monsters within the poem and Christian literature, the idea the all glory should be given to god since
he holds your faith, and the pagan's attempt to combine the Christian god with their beliefs. The
poem juggles these two beliefs while still accommodation their fundamental values. Some may
argue syncretism isn't active in the poem, but I disagree because there are countless examples where
the two religions meet such as the narrator noting how the pagans attempts to unite the idea of the
Christian god with pagan beliefs and imagery.
Within Beowulf syncretism is tied in closely with descriptive language as well as imagery. The poet
does this to create two perspectives between the religions. For example, "But the Lord was weaving
a victory on His war–loom for the Weather–Geats (696–697)". This quote exemplifies how the poet
is creating a connective imagery with the Christian God and pagan images. "The Lord" is obviously
the Christian god, but in this case he is "weaving a victory". Fate is a major pagan

Religious Theme In Beowulf
The Religious Theme in Beowulf
The religious theme in Beowulf offers many insights of the time it was written. This poem was
written at a time of great turmoil in the English and Scandinavian world. These tumultuous times
invited the influx of the "new" Christian religious ideals. Although these people would eventually
become Christians, many held tightly to their pagan traditions and ideals. Beowulf would breach this
gap and usher in a new era of beliefs, ideals and, most importantly, a literary style that would
establish Chaucer, Wycliffe, Shakespeare, etc. Essentially, the poem can accurately be described as a
survey of pagan ideals through the lens of Christian morality. The paper I chose, written by Greg
Kaminsky, thoroughly discusses the concept of pagan versus Christian ideology and the
juxtaposition of the two. Throughout the tale, Beowulf struggles to find footing as a follower of God
while trying to hold fast to many of his pagan ideals. During all his battles, Beowulf professes that
God's protection acts as his "shield." After his fight with Grendel's mother and the dragon, he claims
he would not have been successful (and may have even died) if not for God's presence and His
protection. The Beowulf poet demonstrated the importance of the emerging religion throughout the
story. The central roles of Christian ideology and Paganism play a key role during the work. "The
theme of religion in Beowulf has proven fertile ground for scholars and its analysis

Beowulf : Christian Or Pagan Epic?
Michael Smith
Waterman
English 12
24 September 2015
Beowulf: Christian or Pagan Epic? Believe it or not, Thor was not just a fictional superhero that
appeared in comics created by Marvel. Ultimately stemming from Proto–Indo–European religion,
Thor is a prominently mentioned god throughout the recorded history of Germanic mythology and
paganism. Pagans, a member of a community observing a polytheistic religion, dominated Southern
Europe society and literature until Christianity slowly drove out paganism around the 700s. Before
Christianity spread throughout Europe, especially in early Germanic culture, paganism was the
foremost means of transcribing values, and past events. Written down in approximately 1,500 A.D.
by an unknown author, Beowulf was originally a pagan fable that became a Christian allegory upon
its transcription by Christian monks. However, as scholars have debated over the religious context in
Beowulf, the attempts by the monks to turn the epic poem into a Christian parable ended merged,
including both pagan and Christian aspects. The epic poem Beowulf encompasses Christianity and
paganism through the trust in God, wyrd, and the importance of one's sword. Many elements of
Christian philosophy are found throughout the story of Beowulf; man survives through the
protection of God and all earthly gifts flow from God. Beowulf repeatedly acknowledges God as his
protector. In his battle with Grendel's mother, Beowulf recognized God's presence multiple times,

Why Is Friday Outlaw
Friday was named after Frigg. Friday is a lucky day, especially for marriage, because of its links to
the Goddess Frigg.
Some days of the week are named after gods; Thursday was named after the Thor the god of thunder
People that died in battles or wars were welcomed into Valhalla. Valhalla was Odin's scared hall in
the afterlife.
Sif was a goddess who married Thor. Sif had golden hair, that all Vikings wanted and adored, one
day whilst she was sleeping Loki cut her hair off!
In Viking mythology Loki was not a God, he was the son of a fire giant. Loki was a joker and was
friends with the Gods especially Odin, although he was not to be trusted
Thor lived the life of a Viking Warrior, he was loved and highly respected. Thor represented safety
... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
A criminal was brought here to stand trial. The predicted facts of the case were established by a
panel of people stating what they thought was the truth.
A jury of 12 decided the question of the guilt. "The law–sayer" told the jury what the law said about
the crime committed and the accused person was either convicted or declared innocent by the jury.
If convicted the criminal was either fined became an outlaw. To be an outlaw meant that the criminal
had to live out in the wilderness and no one was allowed to help him in any way. If someone saw
him they had the right to hunt him down and kill him.
There was no law against war with others. The Vikings also had no law against privacy as long as it
was the "enemy".To solve small disputes the Vikings would hold a duel with swords and shields.
The looser would be the one whose blood hit the ground first. Christianity put an end to these duels.
The Christians introduced ordeal by fire to the Vikings which meant the criminal would carry a hot
iron and walk 9 paces, this was the way of deciding the truth.
The Christian's also introduced fire – walking which meant the criminal would walk 12 paces on red
hot coals. Three days later the feet were inspected and if the wounds were clean they were called
innocent.
The

How Asatru Is A Religion That Has Close Ties With Norse...
Asatru is a religion that has close ties with Norse mythology. The name of the religion, Asatru, is a
twofold word that gets it's meaning from Old Norse. The first half of the word, Asa, means Gods
and Goddesses and the second half Tru, means to have faith or belief in. Altogether Asatru means to
have faith in the gods. Asatru can be considered part of the Neo–pagan family of religion since it has
to do with Norse Heathenism. The beginning of Asatru was not the start of the religion itself yet a
revival of an older religion. Before Asatru there was the Nordic religion. This religion was practiced
before Christianity came around. The Nordic religion is thousands of years old and its beginnings
are lost in prehistory. Yet, it is associated with the age of Vikings. Ancient Asatru and Modern Asatru
is a folk or tribal religion. In the 20th century an Icelandic sheep farmer named Sveinbjörn
Beinteinsson created an Asatru organization. The proper term for it is, Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið
which translates to Icelandic fellowship of Aesir faith. Beinteinsson even petitioned for Asatru to be
a recognized religion in the early 1970s. After about a year of petitioning, Asatru became a known
religion in Iceland. Coincidentally, around the same time the organization was created in Iceland,
there were communities forming in the United States and in the United Kingdom. However, these
three communities didn't know of each other. According to www.religionfacts.com, "This is a sign
that

The Period Of The Roman Empire
During the eighth century, Europeans were experiencing one of the most peaceful periods in history
since the fall of the Roman Empire. Starting around the ninth century Europe, however, this would
begin to change. The vikings were feared marauders that preyed upon all manner of coastal
settlements. Paying no heed to the religious value placed upon certain sites, such as monasteries, by
the local inhabitants, they at times ransacked and pillaged indiscriminately, taking valuable goods
with them as their plunder. Despite an apparent disregard for the sanctity of religious sites, their own
religion played an important and fundamental role in the lives of vikings and their society.
The period of rapid viking expansion, during which viking longboats would sail along the shores of
Europe, raiding and conquering sea side towns, began in the late eighth century. In the year 789,
viking warriors began pillaging towns and monasteries, stealing valuable goods and kidnapping
villagers to sell as slaves. These raids began as a complete surprise to their victims. Under the rule
of the Charlemagne, King of the Franks and future emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Europe was
experiencing the greatest period of peace since the pax romana and the fall of the Roman Empire. As
such, the inhabitants of the coastal hamlets that the Scandinavians victimised were unprepared for
the sudden wave of attacks. Furthermore, the vikings did not respect the Christian tradition of
sparing monasteries and

Examples Of Loyalty In Beowulf
Wiglaf, Beowulf, and Hrothgar
The Anglo – Saxon loyalty bases itself on the principles of mutual respect. A leader must fight to
defend his people and their honor, and in return the people fight for him. The preface to Beowulf
gives a perfect example of Anglo–Saxon loyalty. It states, "When a warrior vowed loyalty to his
lord; he became not so much a servant but as his voluntary companion, who would take pride in
defending him, and the lord will reward him richly for his valor." (Norton 38)
Beowulf serves as the key exemplification of the definition of loyalty. First, he willingly pledges
allegiance to Hrothgar following his arrival at Heorot. He does so out of his allegiance to his father
who served as Hrothgar's friend. Second, Beowulf strays away from the archetype mercenary who
usually serve themselves and fight for themselves. Although young and boastful, Beowulf shows
humility by obeying the king's orders to kill Grendel and his mother. Third, he recruits an army of
great fighters to journey to Heorot to battle Grendel. This shows Beowulf inspiration as a leader and
shows the loyalty of his men to fight and die with him. And fourth, Beowulf obedience lies with
King Hrothgar. He asks not for gold, and knowing the risk of battle still obeys the ... Show more
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Out of debt to Beowulf for slaying Grendel, the king showers Beowulf with riches and honor even
the scops hail his name. He shows true loyalty to his friend Ectheow by instructing his son, Beowulf
in the ways of true leadership when he says to him, "Choose dear Beowulf the better part, eternal
rewards." (Beowulf 1750) Hrothgar, garners the loyalty of his people even after the aftermath of
Grendel's destruction. Although old and lacking in power, he promises riches and horses to those
who would aid Beowulf in defeating the monsters. This promise to reward valor with riches gains
the loyalty of subjects under him to fight for his

Glorious Warrior In Beowulf
Beowulf– Glorious Warrior or Braggart? The word Viking is defined as a person of any
Scandinavian seafaring pirates and the traders who raided and settled in many parts of the
northwestern Europe in the eighth century to the eleventh century. However not much is known
about the culture. In the Viking era, the character Beowulf would be seen as a valiant and
courageous warrior. On the other hand, today in present times, it may be possible for him to not be
seen in such an upstanding light. The Vikings were known as ruthless pirates who conquered many
lands. Although as the cited article mentions: "They were also poets, lawmakers and great artists... at
home they lived in a well–ordered society, based on laws and democracy."( Contrary to some beliefs
they were civilized people within their communities although they were merciless when it came to
gaining control of lands. In many various cultures, women were and still are wrongfully viewed as
inferior to men, Though in the Viking culture women held strong positions in their society and were
responsible for farms when their husbands were away. The column again states: "The symbol of the
powerful housewife was her keys, hung from her gown. If her husband took her keys from his wife,
should could divorce him instantly, and keep their shared property." Therefore women were given
power in the their society. The Vikings were travelers and voyagers as well; which were people that
go on long trips, usually in ships. The

Taking a Look at Beowulf
Beowulf, the story of a man of superhuman strength who battles against a variety of demonic
monsters to save King Hrothgars kingdom from fear and later defends his own kingdom against a
dragon which ultimately leads to his death, is thought to be written sometime around the 8th century.
The timing is significant because it is around the same time that the English society was teetering
between pagan and Christian beliefs. This shift in societal beliefs is evident throughout the poem
with references to God, Cain, and fate being decidedly Christian, and other references to heroic
legends of the Germanic times reflecting much more pagan influences. Now there is still debate on
whether the Christian influences were added later to a once pagan centric poem, but the end result of
both points of view being combined in this work is not.
The description of Beowulf's strength is obviously done from a pagan perspective, he's seen as an
unstoppable force, power which is unmatched by anyone else in the world. During the battle with
Grendel his strength is made clear when Beowulf grabs Grendel for the first time, "The captain of
evil discovered himself in a handgrip harder than anything he had ever encountered in any man on
the face of the earth" (Lines 749–752). Beowulf's audacity and belief in himself as a warrior were
also pagan, he chose to confront Grendel himself, unarmed, only using his strength as his weapon,
no swords or shields to protect him. An 8th century superman if you

The True Heros : The Definition Of A Hero
Christopher Reeve once said that, "a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to
preserver and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." It appears as though the world is
constantly in need of saving. In turn, heroes have always been around to inspire, entertain, and
protect people from evil. One society that told of heroes was the Anglo–Saxons. They told of
wondrous heroes that accomplished glorious feats reflecting the values of their society. However, as
time presses forward societies adapt to the advancement and breakthroughs that come with passing
time. With that, the definition and characteristics that describe heroes has evolved over time as well.
Analyzing what makes a hero, differences and similarities are present pertaining to the definition of
heroes among myself, Hollywood, and the Anglo–Saxons, however, aspect of each definition may
be applicable to today's world. What is a hero? The Merriam–Webster dictionary defines a hero as "a
mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with a great strength or ability"
("Hero"). However, when I think of heroes I do not think of such figures; I do not believe that this is
what necessarily defines a hero. A hero is not defined by being capable to wield a sword, command
lighting, or vanquish a swarm of sea monsters. Instead, my definition of a hero is anyone who makes
a positive difference in someone's life; the people who strive to uplift, help, and are kind to others
while expecting

Anglo Saxon Culture In Beowulf
The Anglo–Saxon culture came from the ethos which arose from years of progress and
understanding. This culture a unification of independent principalities brought together by one king
known as Alfred the Great. The true sense of the culture came with the values of loyalty, kinship,
and bravery, which present themselves in the epic tale of Beowulf whose violent victory propelled
him from mercenary to rightful warrior and respected hero. where the birth of a hero came from the
actions of a rightful warrior. The legacy of a hero does not come from the ashes of despair, but from
all given to the cause. Beowulf in the tale represents one of the greatest warriors to ever live from
his battle with ocean monsters in his final day that cost his life

Examples Of Duality In Beowulf
In the epic Beowulf, the concept of simplistic duality is expressed very heavily throughout. This is
not the case in the movie, "Beowulf & Grendel". In an era where moviegoers want their films to
mirror the original plot, why would the director of the movie decide to make such a shift? The
answer lies in our culture. Because our culture differs from that of the Anglo–Saxons, the concept of
simplistic duality has become atypical in today's media. This divide is apparent in the
representations of Grendel, Beowulf, King Hrothgar, Selma, and Grendel's son. In the epic Beowulf,
Grendel is portrayed as a simply evil being. He just isn't given the backstory and side information
necessary for the reader to develop sympathy. We are told that Grendel ... Show more content on
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In this hunting party is no other than the future King Hrothgar. The only man that sees Grendel is
Hrothgar, who decided not to kill the child. This scene isn't even mentioned in the epic, so why
would the director of the movie choose to show us this soft side of the hardened king? The answer
lies in our culture, and how we see heroes. I'm sure you've never seen a modern superhero movie
where the protagonist kills an innocent child. That would not sit well with today's watchers or
readers. We as a society want our 'good guys' to be strong and unwavering, but also judicious and
prudent. This is done because we expect our everyday heroes, our police officers and firemen and all
those who serve, to show sound judgement. Therefore to show Hrothgar killing a child just because
its father was evil would create resentment from viewers. The Hrothgar in the book is very different.
Instead of being compassionate, he is only vengeful; his only goal is to have Grendel killed without
even attempting to understand the factors that are upsetting him. However, with the addition of the
first scene in the movie, Hrothgar's character changes completely. In the book he is a good king with
no faults; he is fair and just. With the first scene added to the movie, Hrothgar is shown taking part
in a hunt for Grendel's father, who had previously done the Danes no harm. So instead of being
completely righteous, in the movie he is actually the one who is the source of Grendel's anguish and
despair. He took the child's father away from him, and although he spared baby Grendel, it is partly
his fault that Grendel has a feud with the Danes in the first place. It's through this opening scene that
the viewer gets a much more in–depth look at Hrothgar than in the epic, and it adds another layer to
the plot

Importance Of Anglo-Saxon Loyalty In Beowulf
The Anglo Saxons were an interesting people that were loyal to their lord. Each group had a leader
that commanded and directed the warriors. Loyalty was an important part of the Anglo Saxons
culture. In Beowulf, the Anglo Saxons were expected to remain loyal to their leader as he was
responsible for protecting them in battle. The leaders of the Anglo Saxons were admired for their
courage and determination as they guided the group of warriors in their endeavors. In "The Wife's
Lament", the wife remains loyal to her lord even though she is treated harshly by him. She chased
after him when he left, and continued to love him after he ostracized her. As evident in Beowulf and
"The Wife's Lament", the Anglo Saxons greatly relied on a noble leader to protect them from danger
and direct them towards success; as a result, the followers were loyal to their lord by showing
reverence and admiration as well as honouring their legacy, even if the lord neglected to fulfill his
duties. Throughout their journey and various battles, Beowulf and Wiglaf remained loyal to their
lords. While in Denmark, Beowulf remains loyal to his king, Higlac, and the other warriors remain
loyal to Beowulf. During his formal boast, Beowulf told his men that "my hands shall fight for me"
as "My lord Higlac, might think less of me" (246–270) if he fought with weapons. Beowulf wanted
to impress his lord and not disappoint him in battle. He feared that he would bring shame to his lord
if he fought with weapons or

Paganism Vs Neopaganism
When people hear the word pagan some get scared but others are intrigued. Perhaps it was the time
period that people would born into weather it was a an accepted term or it was not. Weather it was
what type of paganism were people being drawn too. Paganism is envisioned from different
perspectives due to the effect of different time eras, the comparison of historical to neopaganism,
and the way that society views it.
Paganism is viewed in many different perspectives around the world. While some people highly
advocate that paganism is earthly based and life fulfilling, others believe that paganism is associated
with the devil and witchcraft. Harvey Graham states that Pagans are inspired in their quest to
understand and celebrate the natural world by a wide range of literature, including botanical
treatises, ancient epics, archaeological reports, and fantasy fiction. (par. 5). Pagans believe in life
fulfillment, they want to live their life to a full extent. They are very invested into themselves and to
the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
They believe that Wicca is associated with the Devil Cunningham explains that many neo–pagans,
including Wiccans, have adopted the pentagram as a symbol. This symbol consists of a circle with a
five–pointed star inside, with the tips of the points touching the circle (par. 11) This symbol can be
commonly connected to association with Satan. This symbol is one of the reasons why some people
are still against Wicca. Another concept that people are weary about is the fine line between sorcery
and witchcraft. Smith and Green says The lines separating witchcraft form sorcery are not clear
from one society to the next or from one observer to the next (1132–1133). Society does not fully
understand the difference between the two. Some might say that although they might seem similar
they are different and other might say even though they are different words they still have the same

Anglo Saxon Warriors
Anglo Saxon Warriors
The loud scream of the Anglo Saxon warrior was heard as he takes his last breath during battle.His
blood and guts pour out from the inside, fighting with no power left, his sword held high above his
head, he drops to his knees, to his death.
The Anglo–Saxon society was built on vengeance and feuds. Starting in the Fifth Century, German
Anglo–Saxon warriors destroyed many towns and drove out many native residents in England.
Soon, they took the crown in England and for about a decade the Anglo–Saxon people migrated to
different countries, taking their blood feud with them. This meant that, with the death of a kingsman,
a man was expected to avenge his death. Cite)."Life as an Anglo–Saxon Warrior."
The anglo saxons were like modern day isis
The Anglo–Saxon society, as a whole, revolved around warfare. Freemen and even teenagers were
made into warriors and expected to fight during battle. Servants fought for their lords while freemen
were rewarded with land. Anglo– Saxon armies were usually small, with only a few hundred men.
The soldiers carried a variety of different weapons: spears, axes, swords, and bows and arrows.
When it comes to their armor however, there was not much protection seeing as they did not wear
metal plate armor, but chainmail. This was most likely to make it easier to maneuver, walk, and
battle on foot. They wore helmets on their heads however they mainly carried wooden shields.
Everyone fought on foot during a battle.. It must

Christian And Pagan Motives In Beowulf
Interrelation of Christian and Pagan motives in "Beowulf" is, perhaps, one of the most frequently
and actively discussed issues regarding this brilliant piece of Old English poetry. While it is possible
to argue that "Beowulf" is almost entirely Pagan and all the Christian motives were added later, one
can also find only the trace amounts of paganism, declaring the poem a Christian epic. A third and
most balanced point of view states that both Christian and Pagan elements coexist in the poem to
create a piece of literature that reflects social, cultural and religious complexity of its contemporary
society. This essay will argue that, though Beowulf's deeds are more or less Christian, his
anticipation of his own actions reveals a Pagan attitude. Beowulf acts like a Christian hero, but his –
and author's – views of life and his values are the ones of the Pagan warrior of old.
In order to substantiate this claim properly several steps have to be taken. First of all, it is necessary
to establish whether Beowulf's heroic deeds are Christian ones, and for that purpose the essay will ...
Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
He fights vile creatures that God wants him to fight, like Grendel, but also endeavors exploits God
has little concern for – like with the dragon. He attributes his victories to God's grace and is right in
doing so, but this grace is bestowed upon him because of his pagan virtues – strength, courage and
martial prowess. He knows about the rewards God has in stock for the virtuous and, supposedly,
values those, but is still more concerned about gaining the earthly fame, since it is the closest thing
to immortality that Germanic paganism knows. All in all, it may be safely concluded that Beowulf
presents and interesting literary example of the transitional age – a Christian warrior still clinging to
his Pagan

Research Paper On Odin
ODIN
It is the embodiment of mythology of the North Germanic people stemming from Norse paganism
and proceeding after the Christianization of Scandinavia and into the Scandinavian folklore of
modern period. The northernmost part of Germanic mythology. North mythology includes the tales
of different deities, being and heroes gotten from various sources from before and after the pagan
period including medieval manuscript archeological representation s and folk tradition.
Odin was a Norse mythology deity and he was mention prominently and he was mentioned
throughout the decade in history of Germanic people, from Roman Livelihood in districts of
Germania, through the tribal enhancement of the migration season and the Viking age. Healing,
Death,

Religion In Beowulf Research Paper
Ashley Burns
Kimberly Joyner
English IVH
16 December 2015
Religion in Beowulf
Beowulf was written in 1000 A.D by the Germanic Anglo–Saxons. During this time, Religion
played a key role in society. Christianity was spreading throughout the land and essentially
converted all the Anglo–Saxons from Paganistic beliefs to the Christian faith. Paganism was a
"darker" religion while Christianity was much "lighter". "Holy places are dark places. It is life and
strength, not knowledge and words, that we get in them. Holy wisdom is not clear and thin like
water, but thick and dark like blood." (C.S Lewis) Pagans saw holy places like church grounds as
dark places. Places where people seek refuge when they need to repent and pray for sins. This being
said ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
"... Bearing God's hatred, Grendel came, hoping to kill Anyone he could trap on this trip to high
Herot... But fate, that night, intended Grendel to gnaw the broken bones of his last human supper...
Grendel snatched at the first Great He came to, ripped him apart, cut His body to bits with powerful
jaws, Drank the blood from his veins and bolted Him down, hands and feet; death And Grendel's
great teeth came together snapping life shut." (Beowulf 48–49) Being a Christian is having no false
idols. Many believe that the reason behind Grendel's attacks was to punish Hrothgar for Idolatry. In
some denominations of Pagan societies, they practiced the use of all elements of the animals killed
for a feast. This meaning they used the blood, the innards, the meat, even the bones. The chief would
drink the blood of a deer before a feast in order to have the strength of nature flowing through him
and bless the body of the animal. "The pagan idea of Ragnarok to further show to his Christian
audience that Beowulf is fighting for God. Ragnarok is the end of the world and when all good
warriors must fight for their god. Grendel 'was at war with God'. The good warrior, 'the great–
hearted kinsman of Hygelac had him by the hand'. Grendel's mother must 'avenge the feud'. In other
words, evil still lives. Therefore; Beowulf must make a boast (a pledge that sealed one's fate) to end
the war of Ragnarok. Beowulf himself says,

The Importance Of Heroism In Beowulf
Beowulf is a classic, epic story which theme focuses on good versus evil, "Beowulf is essentially a
heathen poem" (Bodek) said F.A Blackburn because it consists of elements drawn from Anglo–
Saxons culture before they were converted to Christians. It is tidily divided into three parts; The
battle with Grendel, The battle with Grendel's mother and the battle with the Dragon. The poem
deals with Germanic forebears, the Danes, the Geats and the Swedes. This story features a super–
strong warrior Beowulf from the Geatland who help protect the people from the evils of the land
with his super–strength and God's will. He fights for personal honor, but he's committed to the
service of his people. Beowulf's pride and self–adoration almost nullify his ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
An evidence of Pagan religion was their mode of ensuring prosperity in a material thing. For
example, a farmer could pray or offer sacrifices to the Chief God for an affluent harvest.
The impact of religion on Beowulf support the fact that the story isn't just about an epic hero and his
ordeals but the writer's goal to pass a religious message through the hero for efficient relatability.
Pagan history, culture, myth, and folktales are utilized to point out Christian morals; these morals
include, God is the protector of mankind, man possesses the gift of life thanks to God, true powers
lies with God, heaven is the utmost abode of man etc. This buttresses the fact that he used religious
overlay to convey a message to the audience. Why? He aims at achieving easy assimilation,
relativity and effective communication to the intended audience. Scholars believe that a monk
(Christian) who lived during Anglo–Saxon times and in the Anglo–Saxon's community was trying to
reach out to the people. He probably wants to preach the gospel and he needed a medium to
communicate with the people. It could be said that religion is the purpose of this story, in effect,
opening a pathway for religion to impact it.
About 14 Centuries ago, the Pope in Rome ordered missionaries to go convert Anglo–Saxons to
Christians. Most of their place of worship were converted to churches. Scholars believed that one of
these missionaries composed Beowulf with the purpose following the Pope's order;

Essay on Beowulf is a Christian Poem
The epic poem Beowulf, was written sometime in the eighth century by an unknown author. It was
based on legend passed down over time. Prior to the time the poem was written, Anglo Saxons had
converted from Germanic Paganism to Christianity. Some people argue that it was a Pagan poem
rewritten by a person or persons educated in Christianity. " has come down from heathen times and
acquired its Christian character gradually and piecemeal from a succession of minstrels." ( Hector
Monro Chadwick as quoted by Brodeur 182), while others believed that Christianity and Paganism
both belonged in the poem. "almost without exception so deeply ingrained in the very fabric of the
poem that they cannot be explained away as the work of a reviser or ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
The poet used Christianity and paganism as a tool for his poem. "It is through such a blending that
there was available to a poet who set out to write a poem,.... on a scale and plan unlike a minstrel's
lay, both new faith and new learning (or education), and also a body of native tradition (itself
requiring to be learned) for the changed mind to contemplate together. The native 'learning' cannot
be denied in the case of Beowulf." (Tolkien 26). The character Beowulf embodied the Pagan heroic
code (comitatus), but he also exhibited Christian values. Overall, he was a warrior and a hero who
sought fame and reputation. Most of his actions were motivated by his desire to be remembered
after his death as a courageous and loyal warrior. When Beowulf hears about Hrothgar's trouble he
goes to help him. He wants to help him for a few reasons, all of which relate to the comitatus. He
wants to acquire fame and he wants lifelong honor. By beating Grendel he would receive honor and
his reputation would be enhanced. Also, Beowulf wants to repay Hrothgar for settling a feud for his
father years before. Beowulf is willing to do battle for the old king even though it means that he
could die. When Boewulf faces off against Grendel's mother, and later when he fights the dragon it
is revenge that he is after. "The Pagan and the Christian elements that combine in the person of
Beowulf complement, rather than oppose, one another. Beowulf's

How Does Beowulf Present The Anglo-Saxon Culture
The audience of Beowulf can seek information about the Anglo–Saxon culture in the text because of
the various religions, beliefs, practices, and values presented: thus, the audience can use Beowulf to
examine Anglo–Saxon culture. The Anglo–Saxons have a rich of history that is shown in Beowulf
on many occasions. When the Anglo–Saxons made themselves present they brought with them
culture. Their culture differing with the prominent Christianity take over during the unknowns
authors when writing the nearly thousand–year–old poem. The monk, the unknown author, used
Anglo–Saxon throughout Beowulf top aid to Beowulf's quest.
Before one can look at Beowulf he/she needs to examine the religion's beliefs during the poet's time.
There are two main ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The culture thrives on trust, integrity, and bravery. Bravery is a whole other topic by itself. The
amount of bravery and heroism is what earns the individual's reputation. The person must uphold
their reputation and leave behind in cowardice.
For example, Beowulf, the main character, exhibits all of the characteristics of the Anglo–Saxon
culture. He is known from all of the nations for a man of bravery and recklessness. He exhibits the
pagan beliefs. One can see the paganism when he speaks of vengeance to the king of Hrothgar. The
killing of Grendel's mother is an act of revenge. Then one can examine the paganism beliefs
followed up by Christianity. The poet uses Christianity to somehow reason Beowulf and the other
responses. There is a continuation of reminding the people of God's will and what he would want.
What does this all mean? It means the poet must have worn the poem during a time of the rising of
Christianity and the disappearing of Christianity. One can examine how religion influences the
actions of others by analyzing the characters. Pagan ideas were brought forth through many
characters but were quickly simmered down with

Anglo Saxon Culture as Reflected in Beowulf Essay
Anglo Saxon Culture as reflected in Beowulf Every culture has its own set of beliefs values and
customs. Cultural beliefs, values, and assumptions are directly and indirectly acquired throughout a
lifetime. A culture is the sum of a group's way of life and this is no different with the ancient Anglo
Saxon culture. Cultures usually have distinct figures that reflect their culture as a whole. The
importance of religion, values, and heroes are reflected a great deal in the epic poem of Beowulf
accurately showing the Anglo Saxon culture as a whole. Men dominated the Anglo Saxon society
and the people loved a great hero like that of Beowulf. They believed a hero should be a keeper of
his promises, be boastful and produce ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The spear was the most common weapon of choice and could be used as a missile or used in hand–
to–hand combat. The sword was not a common weapon used at all because it was very expensive to
produce. The sword was usually given to a great warrior who has demonstrated courageous acts in
battle. All warriors had a shield that was made of wood and usually lined together by metal. A seaxe
was a single bladed knife that was carried on the belt on the warrior and was used more as a tool
than an actual weapon (Beowulf 112–113). Anglo–Saxons valued religion very highly. There is
much controversy over Beowulf in dealing with pagan and Christian beliefs because historians
believe both were integrated although Christianity seems to be more prevalent. Religion was the
center of people's life at this time and is demonstrated in Beowulf when Beowulf calling for God
exclaims ... "the almighty the maker of the earth". Up until the 6th century it is back and forth
between Christianity and Paganism. The greatest sources of information on the pagan period of
religion are from the 7th to 8th century testimonies, such as Beowulf (Orchard 25). Paganism dealt
with the worshiping of many gods. The celebration of glory has such emphasis in Beowulf because
human praise is the highest goal of the pagan characters. . Anglo Saxon warriors wore helmets for
battle with a pagan god on them named Freyr. Those who grew

The Importance Of Cremation
Cremation
Studies have provided an understanding and argue that the choice to cremate or bury the dead may
have been one of the biggest decisions for the Anglo–Saxons (Williams, H. 2002). But also, that we
should take into consideration that cremation was a show and helped define social distinctions
within the living society, as the inclusion in the rite would define your social distinction (Williams,
H. 2002).
Cremation also enhanced relationships between the living and the dead, as a rite of passage served
to dissolve and reconstitute not only the identities of the dead but also those of the mourners.
Cremation rites are social events that aim to re–form the dead in the eyes of society and the world
(Williams, H. 2002).
Many Anglo–Saxon cremation burials have been compared to pagan burials, and are also believed to
be also the same thing as the Anglo–Saxon gods Woden, Thunor and Tiw are seen in runes on the
cremation urns and in grave goods Many Anglo–Saxon cremation burials (Williams, H. 2002).
Whetstones have also been found in cremation rites as well as holed urns, runic pot decorations and
bones fragments from sacrificed animals, these are believed to also link the Anglo Saxon's with
pagan burials as these are common pagan elements found in similar burials (Williams, H. 2002).
Cremation is believed to have held meaning spiritually to the Anglo Saxons, that burning the dead
may have released its spirit, that by doing so this may have also stopped the dead from hurting

Christian and Pagan Elements in Beowulf
María Isabel Carrasco Cara Chards
CHRISTIAN AND PAGAN ELEMENTS IN BEOWULF
The poem Beowulf is full of Pagan and Christian elements, this combination gave place to many
discutions about the origin of the poem. On the one hand some scholars have said that this is the
result of a transcription made by some monks where they added the christian elements, on the other
hand it is believed that the poem was written in a period in which the Anglo–Saxons were being
converted from their worship of Germanic Pagan gods to the Christian God.
"It was long held that the most substancial surviving Old English poem, Beowulf, was a pre–
Christian composition which had somehow been tampered with by monastic scribes in order to give
it an acceptably ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
But these creators are also described with Pagan elements. Once again there is a big contrast of both
cultures.
"Unlike the heroic–age figures described in Beowulf, the poet is a Christian whose intellectual
horizons have been expanded to include not only biblical learning but the wider world of Christian–
Latin culture in general."3
3
C. ROBINSON, Fred, Beowulf, The Cambridge companion to Old English Literature, ed. Malcolm
Godden and Michael Lapidge, Cambridge University Press, New York, United States of America,
2008. pp. 142
I think that Grendel has some similarities with Satan the first one is that Grendel lives in the
underworld just as Satan lives in Hell, the second one is that as Grendel is jealous of the happines in
Heorot, Satan is jealous of the happiness that Adam and Eve have in paradise. But there might be
another comparison between Beowulf and Jesus, Beowulf is a savior who gives his life for the
people's sake, he is good–hearted and charitative.
"[...] to the pagan Germanic characters in the poem, Grendel is a monster out of pagan Germanic
mythology; to the Christian poet and his Christian audience, the creature is known to be in truth a
manifestation of evil as it is rightly understood by Christians."4

Another Pagan elements are the dragon which is a very common theme in Germanic Pagan stories
and also the idea of the superhuman strengh just

Grettir Research Paper
30– Þórður (His story can be found in the Grettis saga). Sports were very common in Viking
communities. One of the most favored sporting activity was Grappling, a competitive sport
practiced whenever people came together. One day, a man called Þórður grappled with another man
called Grettir the Strong. Grettir was a renowned outlaw and at this unique occasion, he left his
hideaway, situated in Drangey to steal food while all the farmers were at the assembly. Animated by
curiosity he traveled to the site where the festivities were happening. Upon his arrival, a man called
Þorbjörn öngull, who did not like him forced him to take part in the grappling, as he did not
recognize him. For some reason, Grettir accepted and was immediately recognized as he took off his
tunic to wrestle. No one ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It was not an easy fight as he ended up facing two challengers at once. The three of them came out
of it bruised and exhausted. The farmers never broke their promise to keep Grettir safe even though
he was an outlaw who would sometimes cause them harm. 31– Ingólfur Þorsteinsson (His story can
be found in the Vatnsdæla saga) Here is the story of another man who improvised a weapon during a
battle. Ingólfur so was his name was able to create an armor as he entered a house where some
thieves were hiding. He was also a chieftain and there is no question as to why he felt he had to go
after these thieves who had stolen food and goods from farmers in his district. He and his men were
greatly outnumbered by these thieves, who had now split into two groups. His companions advised
him no tot attack yet, as they were outnumbered but Ingólfur went against the odds and armed with
improvised armor and weapon he fought against the bandits. He ended up wounded after the fight
but had managed to kill five of the bandits. He never recovered from his wounds and died in Spring.
32–Þuríður Óláfsdóttir (Her story can be found in the Laxdæla

Distinguishing Profound Religious Poems : British Literature
Brittany Warden
Professor Hall
ENGL 2230 F02
5 October 2016r
Distinguishing Profound Religious Poems: British Literature
Britain is a small island north of Europe and during the early centuries it was part of the Roman
Empire. However, the Germanic invaders known as Anglos and Saxons started conquering the
southeastern lands of Britain. Consequently, during the early Middle Ages works of British literature
were starting to be published. As such literature represents one way to learn about the culture of
Britain. For Example, Beowulf and "The Dream of the Rood" describes Christian beliefs, which was
the popular religion in Britain.
In fact, literature started off as poems, songs and stories that would be told orally. "They sang then
and played to please the hero, words and music for their warrior prince, harp tunes and talks of
adventure..." (Beowulf 1062–1065). Furthermore, men would gather around the mead hall and share
stories about heroes in the lands and stories that they heard overseas. Subsequently, it wasn't until
the merge of Christianity that things were written down and books were made. As a result of only
the church having the ability to write and publish, works such as "The Dream of the Rood" and
Beowulf show many examples of Christian beliefs.
Whenever, the Anglos and Saxons invaded England, it brought over pagan beliefs. Following this,
Britain adopted Christianity because of a man named St. Augustine. Thus, Augustine was sent by the
pope to go and convert King

Beowulf Today Essay
Beowulf Today The Anglo Saxons were a group of Germanic people who were the origins of Great
Britain, back in the early 5th century, lasting until the 11th century, until they evolved into a
different peoples giving a foundation for Britain that is seen later on in the following hundreds of
years. These people were incredibly proud, and held very strong beliefs relating to their religion,
camaraderie, and strength. Anglo Saxons were pagans, meaning that they had practiced a non–
Christian religion; usually some form of polytheism, and this gave them a basis for their beliefs.
They also had a very strong sense of camaraderie, moreso seen in the idea of comitatus, which is a
strong sense of loyalty between a lady/lord and their subjects. There is also a strong basis in
strength, such as that a lord who has a very strong group of subjects beneath him, will reciprocate
and repay their ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Beowulf's strength is seen in the following quote. "Beowulf, Higlac's follower and the strongest of
the Geats greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world, heard how Grendel filled nights
with horror and quickly commanded a boat fitted out, proclaiming that he'd go to that famous king,
would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed" (Beowulf 3) This quote states
that Beowulf is the strongest of the Geats and stronger than anyone in the world, would take a boat
and sail to Herot and assist Hrothgar in killing Grendel. This idea and belief in the power of strength
can be seen with how the American military is considered one of if not the strongest fighting force
in the world, and can be shipped out at a moments notice to anywhere in the world to assist a weak
country, or beat back hostile actions from foreign countries or terrorist

Hammer Of Thor Research Paper
The artifact I choose this week to discuss was the hammer of Thor which dates back to the Viking
Age and to Norse mythology. The history of the Mjölnir which was the hammer of Thor the Norse
god related to thunder. Who was known as the indefatigable god who guarded Agard, home of the
Aesir tribe of gods, and goddesses of Norse mythology. Thor was to prevent all who tried to destroy
Asgard and kill Aesir and he did so with the use of his hammer. From all the symbols related to
Norse mythology Thor's hammer was among one of the most historically important and mostly the
best known today. Although the story behind the Hammer is only a myth it appears the hammer
itself is very much real and the discovery of it has solved a long mystery of over 1,000 ancient
amulets that have been found across Northern Europe (Discovery News). The links to these amulets
and the hammer proves the myth of Thor influenced viking jewelry. Although different the structure
of both artifacts show many similarities.From the shape, material, and general aspects this discovery
helped answer many questions scholars have been asking for decades. ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
To answer the question of, how do you tell the story of a "thing" and history? This artifact does just
that by turning this piece of history into a well known movie around the globe. By actually creating
the myth of Thor and his hammer into a picture format and making the story come alive it made
people aware of this certain part of ancient history without even knowing

Why Did Beowulf Survive In Anglo Saxon Time
During the Anglo–Saxon time period loyalty and bravery were necessary characteristics of a man.
During this time period, where surviving was difficult only the strongest survived. Beowulf was one
of the warriors that lived in this time period. Monsters, warring armies, dragons, and creatures of the
sea made life perilous. Society was looking for an epic hero. Beowulf was the answer to society's
search. Strength, bravery, and the desire for glory were three qualities that make Beowulf an epic
hero.
The Anglo–Saxon time period was a time where survival of the fittest was one of the largest aspects
of society. The text states "Beowulf, /A prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel, /Ended the grief, the
sorrow, the suffering /Forced on Hrothgar's helpless people /By a bloodthirsty fiend. No Dane
doubted /The victory, for the proof, hanging high /From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was
the monster's /Arm, claw and shoulder and all" (352–359). Beowulf was one that survived because
he was one of the fittest. By defeating Grendel, he saved the village of Herot from the monster. In
Beowulf's Last Battle, the text states "None of his comrades /Came ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
The text states "He twisted in pain, /And the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder /Snapped, muscle
and bone split and broke" (338–342). Beowulf has super–human strength and is able to rip a
monster's arm off. The text says "Grendel snatched at the first Geat /He came to, ripped him apart,
cut /His body to bits with powerful jaws, /Drank the blood from his veins and bolted /Him down,
hands and feet; death /And Grendel's great teeth came together, /Snapping life shut. Then he stepped
to another /Still body, clutched at Beowulf with his claws /Grasped at a strong–hearted wakeful
sleeper" (262–270). Beowulf risks his life in order to have the upper–hand on Grendel and could
have died but used his heroic qualities to defeat the

How Is Grendel's Mother Portrayed In Beowulf
The Anglo–Saxon period was during the 5th through the 11th century and included British, Irish,
and Scandinavian inhabitants. Anglo–Saxon values, such as courage and strength, are depicted in
Beowulf through the defeat of Grendel and his mother by the Danes' hero, Beowulf. In Beowulf,
Grendel and his mother's gruesome deaths at the hands of Beowulf exemplify how good will always
eventually prosper over evil. The fight between the cowardly Grendel and the brave Beowulf
exemplifies the Anglo–Saxon beliefs of strength and courage. Grendel terrorizes the Danes by
visiting their mead hall and killing everyone. Grendel pusillanimously kills the men while they are
sleeping, so he always secures the easy kill. Grendel finds joy from killing the ... Show more content
on Helpwriting.net ...
Grendel's mother, likewise, exhibits evil completely. Grendel's mother is furious when she hears
about her son's death and promises revenge. She kills the king's most trusted advisor and sends the
Danes back into a panic. Beowulf swoops in to save the day and shows his strength and courage
again. Grendel's mother is bigger and more villainous than Grendel, so the fight is not as easily won
for Beowulf. He tries to fight her with his sword, but he soon realizes that her skin is indestructible,
and he has to fight bare handed again. The fight is equal and the author states that by saying: "He
was weary, that best/ and strongest of soldiers; his feet stumbled/ and in an instant she had him
down, held helpless" (Line 497–500.) Beowulf is almost defeated by Grendel's mother, but God's
favour for him helps him kill her. God's help is the defining factor in Beowulf killing Grendel's
mother. God being on Beowulf's side exhibits how Beowulf is truly good and he is the greatest hero.
Beowulf also uses his immense strength and courage to finally defeat her. Grendel's mother eventual
death demonstrates how good ultimately does defeat

The Struggle Between Good And Evil In Beowulf
Around the time Beowulf was put to paper, the Anglo–Saxon culture in Britain was beginning its
transformation into a unified society. During the Early Middle Ages Charlemagne, the Frankish
Emperor, initiated a widespread campaign intended to convert the masses to Christianity. As
Thomas Noble explains, in an article published by Church History, "The Carolingian period,
roughly the eighth and ninth centuries, was dynamic and decisive in European religious history. The
ruling dynasty and the clerical elite promoted wave after wave of reform" (287). Noble's
implications about the Carolingian influence in Christianity helps to paint the picture of what life at
that time might have looked like in terms of religious landscape. The author of Beowulf ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In the poem, although it is regarded as a Christian piece of literature, the story has deep–seeded
tones of pre–Christian Germanic tradition "full of pagan burial rites and customs, and an
embodiment of the rules that bound the warrior society together" (Boyden 12). By acknowledging
the past celebration of the heroic, the poem reminisces with the audience by recognizing the rich
traditions of warrior tribes. In an article published by the Oxford Journal of Archaeology, author
Kristopher Poole references that "the interaction of pagan beliefs with varying interpretations of
Christianity led to the development of often quite localized amalgamations of [Christian and pagan]
perspectives" (320). Therefore, Christianity is able to ease an individual's conversion with the
comforts of what was commonly celebrated during this time; the heroic code of warriors and
recounting their tales. However, as common as the paganism is in the poem, the author challenges
its audience to make sense of the competency of pagan religions and questions its relevance in a
new world. For instance, in the poem, it is stated of the nobles that "Whiles they vowed in their
heathen fanes altar–offerings, asked with words that the slayer–of–souls would succor give them for
the pain of their people" (Beowulf). Additionally, as Tolkien asserts,

Paganism In Beowulf
Question #2 Contained within the epic poem Beowulf is the continuous, underlying theme of good
versus evil – the shift from paganism to Christianity. Although this epic consists of the battle
between the hero, Beowulf, and the monster, Grendel (and Grendel's mother, as well), the main
overture of the story is that of the new Christian belief triumphing over evil and the old pagan
beliefs. This value is but one of many that contrast the pagan and Christian principles in Anglo–
Saxon and in Beowulf. The blending and cultivation of these two religions are central to the tale,
and to early Anglo–Saxon life. Moreover, this shift was crucial for Christianity's acceptance into a
pagan and polytheistic– based society. The author of Beowulf ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Moreover, as Beowulf is regarded to be a "Christ–like" incarnation, his pride, especially regarding
fame and fortune is brought to the forefront. In lines 1386 – 1388, he states "...we must earn some
renown, if we can, before death; daring is the thing for a fighting man to be remembered by"
(Beowulf). Essentially Beowulf is imbuing the reader with a reminder of a traditional pagan value:
that remembrance and legend is the only great reward a warrior may achieve. Christianity holds to
the belief that Heaven awaits after death, not merely a legacy and remembrance. This stark contrast
between the vast differences of Christianity and paganism serve as a reminder of the era in which
Beowulf came into being.
Another of the underpinnings of the religious dichotomy contained within Beowulf is that of
revenge. The aspect of revenge, especially concerning Beowulf and Grendel's mother, severely
conflicts with the Christian belief at the time this poem was written. The idea of forgiving ones'
enemies, as set forth in the New Testament of the Bible, is all but ignored. Instead, the author was
"restricting his biblical references to events in the Old Testament, the poet shows the Germanic
revenge ethic as consistent with the Old Law of retribution" (Longman Anthology 34). This is
widely believed to have assuaged the listeners of the era while still presenting the story in a more
favorable Christian light. The poem does reflect the Christian view of regret in the

The Mythology Of The Scandinavian Culture
Scandinavia myths, like many other cultures tend to focus on the male gods and less on the
goddesses. Odinn and Odr are the two central gods that are most often focused on in the
Scandinavian culture. Two female figures however, play a fairly prominent role Freyja and Frigg.
The focus of my research is on Freya but the more information I uncovered the more I realized that
with one along comes the other. Freya and Frigg depending on the mythology are the same person or
are two individual goddesses who were close and complimented one another. From other religions
we know that the same god or goddess could appear under different names, usually owning to the
fact that he or she once had a by–name, which related to a cult–place or a specific function
(Näsström 70). I decided to research Freya because of how closely linked she is to freedom,
sexuality and the idea of magic. Growing up and hearing about Freya she was always talked about
as a fairy or nymph, not as a goddess in the way that I would imagine Ishtar or the Virgin Mary. This
is most likely due to the fact that she was described as a mischievous seducer.
Frigg appears as Odinn's wife, she is the patroness of the home and a relative model of social virtue.
Freyja, on the other hand is sexually very free and active. Many of her actives and practices are seen
as magic, which placed her firmly outside of the sphere of normal society; she might be called the
'wild woman' of Northern Myth. Both goddesses have similarities,

Beowulf Allegory Essay

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Beowulf Allegory Essay