Beowulf is an important text in the history of British literature as it is the first notable work to be written in the English language. However, it is significant beyond its chronological status. Containing both Christian and pagan elements, Beowulf reflects the religious-historical context in which it was written. The presence of two religious ideals makes it difficult to determine the text's approach to faith. Beowulf, however, does not reflect a confused religious culture; it is instead a hybrid of Christian and pagan values ​​with traditional elements of heroic storytelling. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In the plot of Beowulf, many Christian themes are present as the speaker often references heaven and hell as well as God's justice. The narrator plays an important role in the Christian tone of the text by commenting on the action while takes place. One of the earliest examples is found after a description of people worshiping in pagan temples in lines 184-188, where the poet states: "Woe to him who, because of a terrible sin, would drive his soul into the embrace of fire, giving up all hope." , without the possibility of change! Happy is he who, after the day of his death, can seek the Sovereign for peace and protection in the arms of the Father" (Beowulf 9). This is one of the many observations that the speaker inserts into the passage that indicate a negative attitude towards pagan practices and implies that spiritual fulfillment is only possible through Christianity. Several specific references to the Bible are also found in the text. In line 108, Grendel is identified as "cain's kinsman" (6), and is therefore associated to evil There is also an allusion to the great flood described in Genesis in the description of the hilt of Hrothgar's sword, which depicts evil creatures being swallowed up by the great waters sent by God. These references illustrate the author's familiarity with evil. Biblical stories. We can also draw several parallels between the story of Beowulf and the story of Jesus Christ. Indeed, some critics have characterized Beowulf as a representation of the Christian principle of salvation (McNamee 88). In McNamee's interpretation, Grendel represents the invincible sin from which Hrothgar's people cannot save themselves, and Beowulf acts as a God-appointed savior to defeat the overwhelming evil. This parallel is further developed by the cult of Beowulf after his first battle. As the plot progresses, it could also be argued that Beowulf's entry into the water to fight Grendel's mother represents baptism, or Christ entering hell to save humanity. This possible allusion is strengthened by Grendel's repeated associations with evil throughout the tale (94). Beowulf's death and burial also resemble the death of Jesus in several ways. In the final moments of their lives, both Beowulf and Jesus are abandoned by all but one of their closest followers: Beowulf is still accompanied by Wiglaf, as Jesus is by John. Furthermore, when Beowulf's body is placed in the ground, twelve of his followers circle the burial mound and sing of his greatness to the world. This event evokes the twelve disciples of Jesus who preach his message to different nations after his death. Jesus and Beowulf are both also known to have won great treasures (or salvation) for their people at great cost, and are said to have died at the ninth hour of the day (96). Symbols common to the Christian faith also appear frequently throughout Beowulf. In many Germanic illuminated manuscripts, Satan is often depicted as a dragon or monster, while Christ is shown ashe leads souls out of a fiery cave and defeats Satan with a sword. In fact, in the Harley Psalter, manuscript no. 603, Satan is depicted as a monster in the form of a man who devours humans in a lake full of snakes (95). This symbolism bears a strong resemblance to Grendel, who also takes the form of a man, eats people in their sleep, and dwells in a fiery lake. The structural parallels between Beowulf and the Bible are also present in Beowulf's exploration of typically Christian themes such as the consequences of pride and greed. In section XXV of the poem, Hrothgar, dying, warns "do not encourage pride, glorious warrior!" as he speaks to Beowulf and speaks against greed (Beowulf 59). However he does not heed this warning and later faces the dragon alone, wanting his treasure, and dies in battle. Similar principles are taught in the Bible, which also instructs against pride and the lust for worldly objects. But despite these strong Christian overtones, many pagan ideas are also present in Beowulf. A common phrase found in Anglo-Saxon literature is "Dom biò selast", or "fame is the best of all" (Phillpots 6). Although this exact phrase is not found in Beowulf, the theme behind it is present throughout. The characters believe that achieving glory is the greatest achievement to aspire to in life, and Beowulf exemplifies this belief in lines 1387-89 by stating "so we must work as long as we can to gain fame before death. It is best for a warrior to live in memory after life is gone" (Beowulf 47). Many pagans did not have strong beliefs about life after death, but they believed that it was honor to remain in the memory of a people, and Beowulf records this belief. Funeral ceremonies also reflect the strong pagan traditions of the Anglo-Saxons. The burial of leaders often involved cremation and the placing of treasure and weapons with the body, traditions banned by the church at the time Beowulf was written. However, some Christian converts still chose to have pagan elements in their funerals. Attila the Hun was believed to be a Christian, but during the burial ceremony his body was placed on the ground while knights circled him and sang his praises. A banquet then took place, which was followed by the actual burial of the body (Ante 123-124). There are also other Germanic documents, such as the Dream of the Cross, which depict people in Christian times mourning dead leaders in a similar manner after the funeral (125). Although this ceremony bears some resemblance to Beowulf's funeral, there are some common pagan elements found in other Germanic works, such as offerings and references to pagan deities which do not occur. Thus, although the text describes pagan funerals, it does not necessarily follow that it promotes entirely pagan beliefs about death and the afterlife. Another non-Christian idea present in Beowulf is the emphasis placed on human virtues and man-made objects, rather than faith. Although the characters attribute their victories to God, in the end it is "to Beowulf...was given the glory in battle" (Beowulf 29). In his final moments, Beowulf chooses to see the gold he has won rather than reflect on his life or his fate after death. In fact, one of his last commands to Wiglaf is "go quickly now, so I can readily look at the long-guarded riches, look at the golden treasures, the bright beaded gems, and so I can more peacefully, to conquer this wealth." , pass from this life" (91). Finally, the concept of wyrd, or destiny, is strongly evident throughout the text. Wyrd refers to the belief that every action you take affects every aspect of your life. It also indicates that noble actions are rewarded, while thosewicked women are punished (Song 1). The virtues most prized by Germanic pagans included courage, friendship, patience, generosity, and strength (1). Beowulf displayed these qualities through his courage in battle, his friendship with Hrothgar, his steadfastness against the dragon, his frequent giving of treasure, and the skill with which he defeats his enemies. These characteristics were appreciated by the people of the time, including the author, who states "that [Beowulf] was a good king" (Beowulf 79). Some critics believe that the presence of both Christian and pagan elements in the text indicates that the author was a Christian, but not yet firm enough in his beliefs to include anything more specific about God or the Bible. There is little evidence to support this view. Throughout the poem, the only explicit biblical allusions are found in the speaker's commentary, and specific references to Christ, salvation, and the trinity are entirely absent. In fact, God is referred to mainly by the narrator, or by the characters in battle, through vague and grandiose titles. R.W. Chambers suggests that the use of broad terms is due to the more poetic nature of such language, and states: "Surely the explanation is that for a devout, but not theologically minded, poet writing battle poems, references to God as Lord of the Hosts or the Giver of Victory comes naturally; references to the Trinity or the Atonement do not" (126). Although the original manuscript of Beowulf dates back to around the 11th century, the actual story is set around 500-600 AD. To maintain a believable plot, the characters had to be followers of the pagan religion 'hell are acceptable, because they already believed in those ideas, but anything more specific would not have been realistic. The author compensates for this by including his own Christian commentary throughout the text Beowulf was originally a completely pagan work, with the Christian references added later by a monk. Again, there is little support behind this belief, due to the grammatical nature of the poem. Chambers notes that if one attempted to tamper with the meaning, "the difficulties the interpolator would encounter in removing a pagan phrase, and composing a Christian half-line as a replacement, would be metrical, rather than theological" (125). The syntax of the work indicates the first date it was written and is uniform throughout the piece. It is very unlikely that any writer could be skilled enough to insert such changes so subtly. Therefore, "we are justified in regarding the poem as homogeneous: as a production of the Germanic world enlightened by the new faith" (128). While Beowulf is notable for its juxtaposition of two different faiths, it is also significant for the way it retells a traditional heroic epic with more modern literary techniques. It includes features of most Germanic heroic stories, such as references to past kingdoms, wyrds, numerous battle scenes, ceremonies, and dramatic speeches, as well as an overall tragic mood. (Philpots 10). However, the author of Beowulf also often alters the literary conventions he appears to use. For example, Beowulf dies for the good of his people, as most traditional heroes do. But instead of being saved, as is customary in other tales, the kingdom is left weaker without its leader to lead it. This event contributes to a larger theme of man's futility, also common in traditional stories. The premise appears much less subtle, however, than in other Germanic epics, as the speaker compares, 1991. 14-44.