Discuss The Elements of Paganism And Christianity in Beowulf

Before the advent of Christianity in England, Anglo-Saxon literature was pagan or secular— so is the case with Beowulf. 

The work of Beowulf is the product of a pagan poet, finally modified by interpolations of a Christian monk who decorates it with Christian characteristics.

Indeed, the poem derives the power of its flavor and vigor from the heroic qualities of Pre-Christian Germanic civilization to make perfect harmony with Anglo-Saxon Christianity.

As a result, the poem has expunged many of the gross pagan features. But the profuse integration of both the pagan and Christian worlds in Beowulf is quite successful.

Let’s consider the pagan elements in Beowulf in the following passages.

The Natural Elements in Beowulf Directly Connect with Paganism

Pagan elements are abundant in Beowulf. The poem is pagan in its presentation of the dreadful aspects of nature.

Beowulf follows the track to find out Grendel’s mother is a land over which death-chill groves hang. A wood-fast rooted overshades the flood. The air here grows dreary, and the heavens pour down tears.

Besides, the wild natural descriptions like the icy and stormy sea, the marshy land, and the storm-swept sea permeate the poem with pagan spirits.

The Heathen Gods Overpower People’s Belief in Beowulf

The heathens believed in the goddess of fate known as Wyrd. Just on the eve of his fight with Grendel, Beowulf says,

“Wyrd goes over as it must.”

Beowulf

The custom to cremate the dead is also pagan. Beowulf also receives a heathen burial. He is cremated, and his ashes are then buried in a magnificent mound. Furthermore, they buried the treasure with Beowulf.

The references that link Beowulf with the Anglo-Saxon pagan poetry are the heathen gods like the Heaven and the Earth, the Father and the Mother of all things, and their son, the glorious Summer who fought with the Winter and the Frost Giants.

In the poem, the praise of worldly glory, Omens, observed to direct human conflict and sacrifices avowed at the temple of idols, fragments of allusions to stories, myths like the myth of Seyld all are pagan.

Now, let’s consider the Christian elements in Beowulf in the following passages.

The Christian God Concept Modified The Anglo-Saxon Faith in Wyrd

The scop at Heorot chants of the creation of how the Maker wrought the shining earth with its circling waters. Grendel, who rages at the revels a Heorot, is a friend from hell, bearing the curse of Cain.

The prayers offered by the Danes to their gods are of no avail, for they fail to worship the Lord of heaven, who is the true wielder of glory. The Anglo-Saxons believed in the goddess of fate known as Wyrd.

Nonetheless, with the advent of Christianity, this Wyrd was modified by the faith that fate is the will of God. It is believed, for example, that Grendel was fated to slay much more, but God decides otherwise. 

The Christian Gratitude And Reliance on God’s Favor in Beowulf

After Beowulf’s astounding glory over Grendel, Hrothgar’s heart leaps up in thankfulness to God, and he prays like a faithful Christian.

Hrothgar says,

“The all rulers reward thee with good things as he has done till now.”

Hrothgar, Beowulf

Again, in the episode of the fire dragon, a man quietly steals the treasure, the fire-dragon, without facing any hazards.

The poet says that he who relies on God on all occasions receives his protection and easily comes out of thrones of life. Here the poet is reliant on God, which is a Christian element.

Beowulf’s Commitment And Thankfulness toward God for Glory

Finally, Beowulf thinks that he fights for his honor, but he is also wholeheartedly committed to the ideal of service to his people and humanity at large.

Beowulf’s private glory is indeed founded on the fact that he saves a people from the foe of God. Besides, he readily thanks his Maker without whose favor he could never challenge the monsters, let alone conquer them.

Concluding

We may conclude by saying that Beowulf was originally a conveniently pagan poem. But Christianity permeates the poem and transfigures the pagan elements.

Many critics think that the original Beowulf poet was a Christian who included Christian and pagan elements in writing.

The Christian elements are not the work of a reviser or interpolator’s work, but it is indeed what he has written. However, the fusion of pagan and Christian ideas is essential to understanding Beowulf.

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